Thermostat question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Thermostat question
I have seen both 160 degree thermostats and 180 degree thermostats.
Isn't the lower the better, what does putting in a 160 degree thermostat do to my car, will it make the fan always run? Do I need to change anything else. What about tuning with a hypertech, do I need to do that?
As Always, Thanks for the replys
Isn't the lower the better, what does putting in a 160 degree thermostat do to my car, will it make the fan always run? Do I need to change anything else. What about tuning with a hypertech, do I need to do that?
As Always, Thanks for the replys
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Re: Thermostat question (Vampyre)
Modify your own by shimming it.
The thermostat has no control over your fans.
You will only notice a difference at speed or on the highway. I modified my own without programming the fans. The car will still hit 230 around town in stop and go but on the highway it quickly settles to 175-178.
The thermostat has no control over your fans.
You will only notice a difference at speed or on the highway. I modified my own without programming the fans. The car will still hit 230 around town in stop and go but on the highway it quickly settles to 175-178.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
From: "In a van down by the river" CO
Re: Thermostat question (HurricaneZ)
Without lowering the fan temps, a lower degree thermostat will only open sooner. A 180* thermostat opens at 180* (theoretically). It does not lower the "maximum" operating temperature.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Re: Thermostat question (lowdowndirty)
Without lowering the fan temps, a lower degree thermostat will only open sooner. A 180* thermostat opens at 180* (theoretically). It does not lower the "maximum" operating temperature.
Bob
:flag
[Modified by Korreck, 4:18 PM 9/2/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,995
Likes: 504
From: Hilton NY
Re: Thermostat question (lowdowndirty)
There are two ways you can drop the temperature rating of the thermostat, adding a spacer under the shaft or cutting the large spring. The archives show both methods. I tried the spacer but noticed the valve didn't close all the way so it was removed and the spring was cut down 1 1/2 coils. The normal temp is now 187F which climbs to 215F in traffic. A new 212F thermostat was about $20 from the dealer, my old thermostat looked worn after 50k miles in a '98. The fan setpoints were not changed. 160F in Rochester is a little cool if you need heat this time of year.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 347
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: Thermostat question (Fast one)
If you don't want to modify your stock one use the 160. Don't accept the 160/180 numbers as gospel, they may start to open there but won't hold that temp, it'll be higher. Some have found the 180 doesn't cool any better than stock. The 160 works fine, with lowered fan temps. Mine keeps my temp in the 175 to 185 range in Summer traffic, and in the 170 to 180 range in Winter. It also puts out enough heat to keep my Vert toasty even when the air temp is below freezing. To get the full benefit from this mod you must lower the fan temps with the HPP III or LS1Edit, otherwise you'll only see lower temps when cruising at higher (45+ mph) speeds.
:seeya
:seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear AZ
Re: Thermostat question (Vampyre)
Wont see much difference in temp unless it is winter time and your car is moving....Once you stop the temp will go right back up. You should lower your fan settings either way to give you air flow over the radiator when stopped. Some people have put switches in their cars and start them manually. In my LT1 I took out the thermostat completely. It runs about 170 in the summer and 150 in the winter.
:seeya
:seeya
