160 t-stat in winter driving?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati OH
I haven't installed it yet and don't drive much in the winter but you never know. I'm trying to figure out if I should put a 160 or 180 when I flush the coolant and get a tune.
What temps can I expect in the winter?
What temps can I expect in the winter?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 670
Likes: 25
From: Atlanta Georgia
I have a 160*F stat and ive seen cruising temperatures(60mph+) between 169-189*F in coolant temperatures when the weather is between 30-60*F outside. My fans are are not reprogrammed either. My car has a stock tune.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
I have the fans programmed to come on earlier which helps in the Texas heat
.. Texas usually has pretty mild winters, even so the operating temps( 160 degree thermostat) never get up to a normal range on short trips around town.. Not good. I definately would swap mine out seeing you live up north in Ohio,, Easy job to swap stats out,, just my.02 cents
This is my routine here in Texas
1. Stock thermostat from November-April
2. 160 thermostat from May-October
.. Texas usually has pretty mild winters, even so the operating temps( 160 degree thermostat) never get up to a normal range on short trips around town.. Not good. I definately would swap mine out seeing you live up north in Ohio,, Easy job to swap stats out,, just my.02 cents
This is my routine here in Texas
1. Stock thermostat from November-April
2. 160 thermostat from May-October
Last edited by David426; Jan 20, 2009 at 01:58 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You need to pay attention to the oil temp as well. On the highway in the top gears the oil temp can run below the coolant temp. You want the oil temp above 150.
Bill
Bill
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
This morning, the outside temp was 13 degrees! I have a 160 thermostat. The engine warms up up 160 fairly quickly. I saw it go up to 169. Not bad for 13 degrees. The heat felt good.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ermostat.html?
There's the "sweet spot" thread...............
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There's the "sweet spot" thread...............
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
MOST topics have probably already been beaten to death. You can't blame someone for asking. Many times I search prior to posting and I find answers. But even then, some of the posts may be 6 months old (or older) and there may be new information available.
IMO, it's good to re-visit a lot of these basic topics. I never knew about the "sweet spot" posts by Evil-Twin, so I was happy to find them. I never woulda found them if I hadn't looked at this "beaten to death" thread.........
When you notice a "beaten to death" thread, there is one very easy solution for you - AVOID IT!
Peace
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati OH
You live in TX so I doubt it gets below freezing very often so a 160 tstat isn't an issue. It goes below 0 here in Ohio on a regular basis in the winter and I'm not trying to ruin my engine.
