160# Thermostat
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Ojai California
160# Thermostat
I've noticed a few folks say they have put in the 160# thermostat and I have noticed that my '04 seems to run 220+ on the temp gauge. Even now when the OT is lower and I'm not running the A/C.
My 97 Z28 never climbed over 185 even heading to Vegas in summer. I know I'm in the normal range...but..
So two questions;
1) Is this a neccesary change? (The only mods are exhaust and cold air intake)
2) Does this improve performance by itself or only needed when I do mods?
guess that's three questions....
My 97 Z28 never climbed over 185 even heading to Vegas in summer. I know I'm in the normal range...but..
So two questions;
1) Is this a neccesary change? (The only mods are exhaust and cold air intake)
2) Does this improve performance by itself or only needed when I do mods?
guess that's three questions....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,152
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
A 160 thermo will allow the coolant to circulate at a lower temp, but it will not change your max temp. If it did, you would be running 185 with a 185 thermo. Check in front of your radiator and between the radiator and condensor for debris. 220 is ok, but if it usually runs cooler, check out the radiator. My 03 never reached 220 even in the summer.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 1
A 160 thermo will allow the coolant to circulate at a lower temp, but it will not change your max temp. If it did, you would be running 185 with a 185 thermo. Check in front of your radiator and between the radiator and condensor for debris. 220 is ok, but if it usually runs cooler, check out the radiator. My 03 never reached 220 even in the summer.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,152
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
I really don't understand what your saying. A 160 degree thermostat will allow the engine to run cooler and it certainly changes the maximum engine temperature. I run a 160 degree thermostat and while cruising (moving)the temperature is normally 182/186 degrees during the summer months. Of coarse the fans have been re-programed to kick in at a lower temperature while the car is stopped (rising water temperature),thus the engine temperature never exceeds 200 degrees.
I still bet the original questioner's problem is debris blocking the air flow to the radiator. He could easily settle it by putting in a 160, do nothing else, and report back to the forum. He will run the same maximum temp he ran with a 185, because the thermostat will be fully open on either one. Now if he's running 185 with a 185 thermo, then he could possibly lower it with a 160. But that is not his issue, and a Vette should not be run at 160 anyway.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
A 160 thermostat will NOT lower the maximum temp. If your car is running 220 with a 185 it will run 220 with a 160. Either thermostat will long be open by the time it reaches 220. The thermostat controls the minimum temp of the engine, the cooling system overall controls the maximum temp.
I still bet the original questioner's problem is debris blocking the air flow to the radiator. He could easily settle it by putting in a 160, do nothing else, and report back to the forum. He will run the same maximum temp he ran with a 185, because the thermostat will be fully open on either one. Now if he's running 185 with a 185 thermo, then he could possibly lower it with a 160. But that is not his issue, and a Vette should not be run at 160 anyway.
I still bet the original questioner's problem is debris blocking the air flow to the radiator. He could easily settle it by putting in a 160, do nothing else, and report back to the forum. He will run the same maximum temp he ran with a 185, because the thermostat will be fully open on either one. Now if he's running 185 with a 185 thermo, then he could possibly lower it with a 160. But that is not his issue, and a Vette should not be run at 160 anyway.
You will only run at lower temps if you re-program the fan settings in conjunction with the 160 stat. I agree that he should check the radiator area for debri blocking the flow of air.
Last edited by SUPERCRUZ; Nov 11, 2009 at 10:06 PM.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Ojai California
Okay...lotta info here.
220 is too hot then...right?
I did check to see if there was any obstruction and pulled out an '09 Mustang (nothing of consequence) seriously though...
I live on a mountain road and the fans kick in when they should(?) I do hear them as I pull up to the garage and they shut down as I pull in. My wifes HHR's fans stay on when I flog it up the same road and,during the summer, stay on after I shut off the ignition but it doesn't tell you the actual temp...just runs about 3/4 of max.
I guess I shouldn't be concerened since it always shows in normal but the vehicles I own that do show real temp seem to run under 220. I've seen folks change the thermostat and wondered if this was necessary...but what do I know...I'm a redneck that let his horse lick the hood of his C5
I really appreciate the help!
220 is too hot then...right?
I did check to see if there was any obstruction and pulled out an '09 Mustang (nothing of consequence) seriously though...
I live on a mountain road and the fans kick in when they should(?) I do hear them as I pull up to the garage and they shut down as I pull in. My wifes HHR's fans stay on when I flog it up the same road and,during the summer, stay on after I shut off the ignition but it doesn't tell you the actual temp...just runs about 3/4 of max.
I guess I shouldn't be concerened since it always shows in normal but the vehicles I own that do show real temp seem to run under 220. I've seen folks change the thermostat and wondered if this was necessary...but what do I know...I'm a redneck that let his horse lick the hood of his C5
I really appreciate the help!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 1
My fans kick on at 190 degrees and my running temperature to day while moving was 178 degrees (53 degrees ambient temperature) so what did the fans have to do with that? The fans will maintain a lower temperature in conjunction with a 160 degree thermostat once they are activated,which in my case is 190 degrees. As long as there is a adequate cool air flow to the radiator the fans are not necessary to maintain a lower engine temperature with said 160 degree thermostat.
Do you actually think that the fans run constantly to make a 160 degree thermostat affective?
PS I like my 160 degree thermostat and the car runs great. You can run whatever you damn well please.
Last edited by 98vettedave; Nov 11, 2009 at 11:11 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Lampasas Texas
You can run the 160 if you want to. To get the max cooling effect, reprogram the fans also.
It will not hurt anything either way but you don't need to change it. See the following.
C5 Cooling Fans Operation
Information from Old Vetter on an older post:
"The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (226°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (219°F).
The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (235°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (226°F).
When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches (185°F),
the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than (35 mph).
BUT, always check for debris in front of radiator when having cooling problems, these C5's are bottom breathers and act like street vacuum cleaners (leaves, plastic bags, etc)"
It will not hurt anything either way but you don't need to change it. See the following.
C5 Cooling Fans Operation
Information from Old Vetter on an older post:
"The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (226°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (219°F).
The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (235°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (226°F).
When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches (185°F),
the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than (35 mph).
BUT, always check for debris in front of radiator when having cooling problems, these C5's are bottom breathers and act like street vacuum cleaners (leaves, plastic bags, etc)"
Last edited by Boulty1961; Nov 11, 2009 at 11:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Ojai California
You don't need to change it. See the following.
C5 Cooling Fans Operation
Information from Old Vetter on an older post:
"The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (226°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (219°F).
The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (235°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (226°F).
When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches (185°F),
the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than (35 mph).
BUT, always check for debris in front of radiator when having cooling problems, these C5's are bottom breathers and act like street vacuum cleaners (leaves, plastic bags, etc)"
C5 Cooling Fans Operation
Information from Old Vetter on an older post:
"The low speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (226°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (219°F).
The high speed cooling fan is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches (235°F).
It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to (226°F).
When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches (185°F),
the low speed cooling fan will be turned on at vehicle speeds less than (35 mph).
BUT, always check for debris in front of radiator when having cooling problems, these C5's are bottom breathers and act like street vacuum cleaners (leaves, plastic bags, etc)"
I seem to run above 220 while outside temp is under 60. By above 220 I mean, there is a half hash mark and a full one over 220...I bounce between the two...I know this is still within the 'normal' range..but my concern is that I have other vehicles that run cooler under harsher circumstances...
The only reason I brought up this question today is that I towed a 12,000 lb trailer with my F550 up the aforementioned mountain road. I drove 'nicely' but never hit 220 (gasoline V-10 powered,after market gauge). I then fired up my (actually my daughters now) Camaro and realized that it never hits north of 220. (It has after market gauges also)
Looking at my post I must say that I run only slightly higher when it's a hundred outside with the AC on...
Do I have a cooling problem?
