160 thermostat
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Glennville Ga
160 thermostat
Ok guy I did the search and did not see a lot other than guy put them in. Is this something to consider. I have look at them to bring the temps down some. Then the car is running the 210 mark little more if in slow moving traffic. So the stock one should have been open anyways. I turn the AC on get fans to kick on more and bring temps down.
So what the pros and cons of the 160.
Thanks
So what the pros and cons of the 160.
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 533
Likes: 6
From: Indian Trail NC
Put a 160 in mine , no problems and runs around 170-180 most of the time, I also added headers & x- pipe and had it dyno tuned so everything jives. Some people say the LS motors need to run 195+ However PCM in mooresville suggested 160, and they play with these LS motors all the time and get crazy HP# out of them
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 110
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
If I recall, some if the reasons for higher temp is longevity of the engine and efficiency that goes with the temp. I am sure there are more but don't recall right now. Sure you will get more power at the lower temp but are trading off engine life for it. There is plenty of info out there on it and several engineers from the C5 have stated the same thing. So depends on what you are trying to do. Flush out cooling system, blow out radiator/condenser, replace coolant tank cap and ensure no air pockets are in system. Then reprogram fans and see what happens. It is normal for these cars to run in the 220-230 range when sitting still. As long as it drops back down in the high 190's while moving with proper air flow on a stock car.
GL
Chris
GL
Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 346
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
210 is not hot and is no where near the boiling point of a proper coolant/water mix especially pressurized. a 160 themostat isn't going to do you any favors and isn't going to fix anything - there's nothing wrong.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
it's a known fact LS engines make the most HP with engine temps 195-205. If you don't believe me go over to the HP Tuners Forum and ask these guys, they dyno these everyday. Do some research on fuel atomization .....
Last edited by printmanjackson; Dec 29, 2013 at 01:03 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: Fresno California
There are some very good vendor/tuners here on the forum and I can't think of one that doesn't recommend a 160 t-stat and fan adjustment. The lower temperature will help performance but some oils work better at higher temps. You have to decide if you are willing to put up with a little more wear for more performance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,154
Likes: 4,168
From: Kannapolis NC
As many long threads as their have been, your search skills must need some work. Try going to Google, type in C5 160 degree thermostat and you'll find lots of pros and cons. I would never run a 160 in my car, but read for yourself and decide.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 651
Likes: 17
From: MD
160 t-stat in mine.. works great! 180 degrees while cruising.. perfect! definitely noticed a difference since its not running so heat soaked.. and the only reason they run the motors hot from the factory is emissions. period.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
My suggestion is to do a search for "Sweet Spot" here on the forum and read the posts by Evil-Twin who worked for GM during development of the LS1. You can run whatever you like in your car, but you should at least have information from someone who worked on development and testing of the car, which no tuner is going to possess. You may want to simply swap the stock thermostat and lower temperature one in the spring and fall to keep oil temps where they should be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
These engines are designed and blueprinted at running temp, so keep heat and metal expansion in mind. The lower the temp the less metal expansion the more clearance between moving parts the more wear and tear.
I prefer a 180* stat for a street driven car, and have the fans to kick on around 190*.
That's what I run and I never see over 200*, stays at a steady 191* down the road.
I prefer a 180* stat for a street driven car, and have the fans to kick on around 190*.
That's what I run and I never see over 200*, stays at a steady 191* down the road.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 651
Likes: 17
From: MD
These engines are designed and blueprinted at running temp, so keep heat and metal expansion in mind. The lower the temp the less metal expansion the more clearance between moving parts the more wear and tear.
I prefer a 180* stat for a street driven car, and have the fans to kick on around 190*.
That's what I run and I never see over 200*, stays at a steady 191* down the road.
I prefer a 180* stat for a street driven car, and have the fans to kick on around 190*.
That's what I run and I never see over 200*, stays at a steady 191* down the road.
amazing how much misinformation is spewed in relation to thermostats. on a factory tuned car you can go from 190-230 in minutes and isn't going to cause more or less wear from 165-240. btw, my Z ran 190 with the stock t stat so IDK how a 180 would fare differently, you coulda just ran a 160 and kept your fan temps higher.. there's a reason performance tuned LSx's are running 160 thermostats. lingenfelter and hennessey to name a few all use 160's
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
amazing how much misinformation is spewed in relation to thermostats. on a factory tuned car you can go from 190-230 in minutes and isn't going to cause more or less wear from 165-240. btw, my Z ran 190 with the stock t stat so IDK how a 180 would fare differently, you coulda just ran a 160 and kept your fan temps higher.. there's a reason performance tuned LSx's are running 160 thermostats. lingenfelter and hennessey to name a few all use 160's
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 651
Likes: 17
From: MD
mine runs fine in closed loop @ 160-165 (on cold days) 175-185 (on warmer days) . I did some digging and closed loop starts at 105-110. so if any problem going into closed loop exists, there will be a CEL first of all and second your tstat is probably stuck open.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
I don't think there is any support that shows 160*< 180*/190*/200*.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I've yet to come across a GM tune in any system I've looked that required anything close to 170*-180* for closed loop. The 25*C to 35*C range is fairly typical.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Jan 9, 2014 at 05:47 PM.