Thermostat replacement
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Spring Branch TX
St. Jude Donor '14,'18,'21
Thermostat replacement
What's the better replacement thermostat to get, the 160 degree or the 180 degree? What are your reasons for choosing and have you reset the fan controller? :confused:
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: South Jersey NJ
Re: Thermostat replacement (jw38)
I'm going through the same question :confused: but I think I have found some answers :yesnod: The stat will keep the engine cooler during driving conditions and the fan control for stop and go traffic or setting still.
The stat is the first step in keeping the engine cool, then if if continues to get hot the fans kick in. I'm going with a 180 stat for my 99, I use it every day and I think a 160 will be too cold for the winter. Later I plan on getting the Hypertech programmer for the fans. I hope this helps :seeya I also was told that the 180 range is a good temp for power in the LS1
[Modified by Rome856, 1:13 AM 7/11/2002]
The stat is the first step in keeping the engine cool, then if if continues to get hot the fans kick in. I'm going with a 180 stat for my 99, I use it every day and I think a 160 will be too cold for the winter. Later I plan on getting the Hypertech programmer for the fans. I hope this helps :seeya I also was told that the 180 range is a good temp for power in the LS1
[Modified by Rome856, 1:13 AM 7/11/2002]
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 713
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From: Salt Lake City UT
Re: Thermostat replacement (jw38)
I have a 178 degree thermostat from Breathless Performance. Can't use it for Utah winters. Coolant temp never gets above 150 on a cold day. So I use it for the other three seasons and put the regular thermostat in for winter. You might have the same situation in NH.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Tx
Re: Thermostat replacement (UtahVince)
This question has been asked several times.
The 160 will actually run the car around 178. The 180 will run the car hotter than stock at around 198. This happened to me and others, so I'm not sure if we just had faulty ones or what, but I tested mine thoroughly and it was junk compared to the stock stat.
The 160 works great in the summer and I will probably go back to the stock stat in the winter months.
Reprogramming the fans to come on earlier is also important for low speed situations.
I would not worry about the oil not getting hot enough. It should still burn off most contaminants and you can always just change it more often.
The 160 will actually run the car around 178. The 180 will run the car hotter than stock at around 198. This happened to me and others, so I'm not sure if we just had faulty ones or what, but I tested mine thoroughly and it was junk compared to the stock stat.
The 160 works great in the summer and I will probably go back to the stock stat in the winter months.
Reprogramming the fans to come on earlier is also important for low speed situations.
I would not worry about the oil not getting hot enough. It should still burn off most contaminants and you can always just change it more often.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 1
From: Winston Salem NC
Re: Thermostat replacement (movinup)
I read a good idea about testing thermostats. It seems than a fair number of stats don't regulate as they should. Put the stat in a pot of water with a thermometer and as the water heats up watch for the temperature at which the stat starts to open. That is the true degree of that stat.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,556
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Re: Thermostat replacement (jfpilla)
And once a fully cooked, just a leetle pink on de insidea-Joila!! You got a Corvetta Salad!! :cheers:
And next aweek, we work ona Mustanga Musharooms! :U
All kidding aside, that's a damn good idea... :D
And next aweek, we work ona Mustanga Musharooms! :U
All kidding aside, that's a damn good idea... :D
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Re: Thermostat replacement (jw38)
What's the better replacement thermostat to get, the 160 degree or the 180 degree? What are your reasons for choosing and have you reset the fan controller? :confused:
How about a 172 degree unit which works well even in pretty cold weather temps... :yesnod:
