Is 160 stat a good move???

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Mar 31, 2010 | 04:34 PM

Blitzkrieg

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From: Chicago South Suburbs

Is 160 stat a good move???

I am having cam put in this weekend with a tune to follow, is it a good idea to put in a 160 stat so the car can run cooler, are there any cons to the 160?

Mar 31, 2010 | 05:10 PM

~~~Josh~~

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160 stats are good if you get the car tuned at the same time. Turn the fans on sooner.

There's much less chance of spark knock during hard acceleration on a hot day when your coolant is 182 degrees compared to 225.

Mar 31, 2010 | 05:32 PM

C5XTASY

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From: Monticello MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg

I am having cam put in this weekend with a tune to follow, is it a good idea to put in a 160 stat so the car can run cooler, are there any cons to the 160?

There are many mixed opinions on this. Get ready for a lot of them.

However, at the minimum, get your fan setpoints turned down to work in conjunction with your stock stat. That takes care of most temps above 200 without the fans running continually.
Ed

Last edited by C5XTASY; Mar 31, 2010 at 05:35 PM.

Mar 31, 2010 | 05:33 PM

Blitzkrieg

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From: Chicago South Suburbs

is there anything bad about a 160, if its so good why didnt they come from the factory that way, who wants a car that runs hot?

Mar 31, 2010 | 06:10 PM

lionelhutz

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From: South Western Ontario

Perstonally, I'd go with 180 or stick with the 190 and lower the fan settings. The higher temps actually help with the emissions and longevity of the oil. The engine was also designed and built to make the power at the higher temps.

Hot to you isn't necessary hot to an engine. Working indirectly with electric motors, I have often had people complain how the motor was so hot that they couldn't touch it. Well, a 100C temperature rise for a motor is normal and nothing to worry about even though it will quickly burn your hand.

Peter

Mar 31, 2010 | 08:49 PM

~~~Josh~~

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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg

is there anything bad about a 160, if its so good why didnt they come from the factory that way, who wants a car that runs hot?

The factory wants a hot(ter) engine because it has lower emmissions. The hotter it is, the less hydrocarbons remain unburnt.

I've seen my '01 detonate on summer days while logging with hptuners. I turned the fans down in a parking lot, and immediately the pinging was less on hard pulls. That was still using the stock 'stat and turning the fans down.

Years back I had an LT1 Trans Am than acted much better when the coolant was below 185.

I'm a firm believer in 160/180 thermostats.

Mar 31, 2010 | 08:57 PM

vettenuts

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Two suggestions, first do a search on "sweet spot" in a post by Evil Twin and read his information. He worked for GM. Second, you can easily modify the stock thermostat to open wherever you want. I am still playing with mine but have it almost exactly where I want it now.

Mar 31, 2010 | 09:32 PM

Y2Kvert4me

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St. Jude Donor '03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg

is there anything bad about a 160, if its so good why didnt they come from the factory that way

Well, from a manufacturer's perspective, the car has to function in a very wide range of ambient temperatures.
The guy in Arizona might never see much less than 70° all year long, the guy in North Dakota might be using his car in -30° temps. Big difference there, and stock, the car can function just fine in both environments.

If you are in a warm climate, or only operate the car in warm temperatures, there's no harm going to a 160, and yes, it will keep the temps cooler, but only while you're moving. At idle, you are still at the mercy of the fan setpoints in determining what the max coolant temp will reach. You really need to alter both to get the full benefit.