160 Thermostat to cold??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
160 Thermostat to cold??
Ok, I'm confused now...
I called up a friend who works for a shop to see if I could borrow a few tools to install my new 160 degree thermostat. Once I told him what I needed the tools for her said I was crazy. I stated I got the information here and he got a buddy of his that used to work with a Chevy Dealership for 15 years on the phone.
The guy told me the reason it comes with a 195 is that it helps aid with fuel dispersment (spelling) of the fuel injectors. He then stated that going to a 160 would put the computer into an ?Open Loop? and cause the check engine light to come on, and possibly cause the car to run sluggish. :confused:
As stated, I'm confused... how many people here have installed a 160? and did you any computer problems?? :confused:
I called up a friend who works for a shop to see if I could borrow a few tools to install my new 160 degree thermostat. Once I told him what I needed the tools for her said I was crazy. I stated I got the information here and he got a buddy of his that used to work with a Chevy Dealership for 15 years on the phone.
The guy told me the reason it comes with a 195 is that it helps aid with fuel dispersment (spelling) of the fuel injectors. He then stated that going to a 160 would put the computer into an ?Open Loop? and cause the check engine light to come on, and possibly cause the car to run sluggish. :confused:
As stated, I'm confused... how many people here have installed a 160? and did you any computer problems?? :confused:
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
Hmmm--Seems like if that was the case the car would be a dog every time you started it cold until it warmed up over 180 or so. Sounds like BS. That said it probably does deteriorate fuel dispersement. I run one with H/C pkg and car usually runs about 175 degrees-Runs great. :seeya
[Modified by dmarks1961, 4:42 PM 3/12/2004]
[Modified by dmarks1961, 4:42 PM 3/12/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 29
From: St. Louis Mo.
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
I put one in when I put headers on back in October. No Problems Here Temps run at 175-180 water temp and oil runs around 190-195. No problem with cold starts and the heater still makes plenty of heat.
Go for it
Go for it
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: new york
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
I just had the Vette Doc's install one for me yesterday and the car is running Great I would call one of the vendors on the forum who sells them and ask them if there is any cause for concern, my guess they will answer all your questions
QUIMBO :seeya :seeya SEEYAAAH
QUIMBO :seeya :seeya SEEYAAAH
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
The t-stat will open at 160, but the engine will NEVER get that cold, so open loop is not a problem. All I've read by people on here is that their cars consistently run 175-180, all times of the year.....which happens to be the perfect temp to help squeeze out a little extra HP and keep the oil temps down, helping the oil perform much, much better.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
I ran a 160 on my '99 for a year and never had a problem, not even in the winter. Always ran around 171 on the highway, 180 in the city. Never ever caused a computer problem... Put it on if you want!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
I put one on when I installed the Magnacharger, the guy who did my tuning reprogrammed the fans to come on sooner, this keeps my Summer time temps around 180 degrees :cheers:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,506
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough NJ
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (BSiegPaint)
Gee, I'm suprised Sandra Bigwoode hasn't chimed in to tell us how we are all fools for running a 160 tstat and that we actually gain hp by running hotter. :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
IN Florida, you will be fine with a 160... IN the northeast, I run a 160 stat , 8 months of the year,...and a 190 for 4 months (Nov Jan, Feb , March.,... I change my stat back and forth... takes me less than 5 minutes to make the swap...with a 160 stat you will have to change your fan settings.,... the stat controls how cold your engine will get , not how hot it gets... opening sooner with lower fan temps helps to keep the coolant cooler.. you wont see those 220/230 F readings in the summer with a 160 F and lower fan setting , but you might see on occassion 200 F
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Evil-Twin)
Thanks folks, I've seen enough "I've done it and had no problems" to make me feel comfortable installing it. :)
I love my car, but due to my newbieness in mechanics, I'm petrified of the complexity of it. heh (I never was afraid of my old Fbody nor the Mustangs before it)
You guys rock! :thumbs:
I love my car, but due to my newbieness in mechanics, I'm petrified of the complexity of it. heh (I never was afraid of my old Fbody nor the Mustangs before it)
You guys rock! :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco CA
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
I have a 160 and 174 is the lowest temp that I have seen. That was on the freeway at night during a cold spell when the air temp was in the thirties. I might add that I also have a radiator with about 40% larger capacity, reprogrammed fans and a transcooler as well.
The engine warms up quickly with no codes, lights or driveabilty problems.
According to the service manual, on a cold startup the engine is running open loop (relies on sensors other than the oxygen sensors). At a coolant temperature of 93*F, it switches to normal, closed loop mode. If the temp remains below 93*F for longer than 22 minutes then P0125 will set :cheers:
[Modified by SFVetteman, 11:49 AM 3/12/2004]
The engine warms up quickly with no codes, lights or driveabilty problems.
According to the service manual, on a cold startup the engine is running open loop (relies on sensors other than the oxygen sensors). At a coolant temperature of 93*F, it switches to normal, closed loop mode. If the temp remains below 93*F for longer than 22 minutes then P0125 will set :cheers:
[Modified by SFVetteman, 11:49 AM 3/12/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (SFVetteman)
Don't be surprised if it pings a little in the summer. When the water temp is cooler, often the cylinder temp is higher. I ran a 160 thermo, had summer pinging, tried Water Wetter & some other tricks, then switched to a 180 thermo, and the pinging immediately went away.
I know, it sounds counterintuitive, but them's the facts. THe water gets hot because it's soaking heat away from the metal.
I know, it sounds counterintuitive, but them's the facts. THe water gets hot because it's soaking heat away from the metal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Sportsdude)
I talked about this with the GM mechanic last week who just finished re-ringing my Y2K C5. He told me that something close to 180 degrees that car C5 likes. He also told me that 160 wont throw a code in the C5s, but in other cars it will. I bought the 175 from Mid America. Ill see how the baby runs tomorrow on the 25 minute highway run.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 460
Likes: 18
From: Conroe, TX
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
[QUOTE]Ok, I'm confused now...
I called up a friend who works for a shop to see if I could borrow a few tools to install my new 160 degree thermostat. Once I told him what I needed the tools for her said I was crazy. I stated I got the information here and he got a buddy of his that used to work with a Chevy Dealership for 15 years on the phone.
The guy told me the reason it comes with a 195 is that it helps aid with fuel dispersment (spelling) of the fuel injectors. He then stated that going to a 160 would put the computer into an ?Open Loop? and cause the check engine light to come on, and possibly cause the car to run sluggish. :confused:
Sounds like "Mr. Goodwrench" don't know d!ck! :jester
I called up a friend who works for a shop to see if I could borrow a few tools to install my new 160 degree thermostat. Once I told him what I needed the tools for her said I was crazy. I stated I got the information here and he got a buddy of his that used to work with a Chevy Dealership for 15 years on the phone.
The guy told me the reason it comes with a 195 is that it helps aid with fuel dispersment (spelling) of the fuel injectors. He then stated that going to a 160 would put the computer into an ?Open Loop? and cause the check engine light to come on, and possibly cause the car to run sluggish. :confused:
Sounds like "Mr. Goodwrench" don't know d!ck! :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Ex_F-Body_Enthusiast)
Ok, I'm confused now...
I called up a friend who works for a shop to see if I could borrow a few tools to install my new 160 degree thermostat. Once I told him what I needed the tools for her said I was crazy. I stated I got the information here and he got a buddy of his that used to work with a Chevy Dealership for 15 years on the phone.
The guy told me the reason it comes with a 195 is that it helps aid with fuel dispersment (spelling) of the fuel injectors. He then stated that going to a 160 would put the computer into an ?Open Loop? and cause the check engine light to come on, and possibly cause the car to run sluggish. :confused:
Sounds like "Mr. Goodwrench" don't know d!ck! :jester
I called up a friend who works for a shop to see if I could borrow a few tools to install my new 160 degree thermostat. Once I told him what I needed the tools for her said I was crazy. I stated I got the information here and he got a buddy of his that used to work with a Chevy Dealership for 15 years on the phone.
The guy told me the reason it comes with a 195 is that it helps aid with fuel dispersment (spelling) of the fuel injectors. He then stated that going to a 160 would put the computer into an ?Open Loop? and cause the check engine light to come on, and possibly cause the car to run sluggish. :confused:
Sounds like "Mr. Goodwrench" don't know d!ck! :jester
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 0
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
In Fl in an attempt to keep my car below 200 with the blower motor I have a 150 stat made and will probably go up to a 160 now that I don't have the stupid shroud blocking half my radiator---I have a be-cool and a fan controller--the stroker should be no prob but I have not had a summer with it yet, on a couple of upper 80 degree days in traffic I got to 185 and immediately dropped to 170 to 175 as I moved, we will see with the summer heat and humidy--to tell the truth I have bolted so much on this car the computer doesn't know where to begin to throw codes--it normally just gets confused and tells me to service my Traction control system--I do have a stock alternator--St Pete is very humid as you know and the 160 will be great for you anytime of year---
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (Oyea)
I have run a 160* stat on my Vert for almost 4 years without problems. I used LS1 Edit to dial in fan temps. Even in the hottest days, my Vert runs between 178* - 186*. We all have to remember, a 160* stat is the temperature the T Stat opens and not the temperature your engine will run at.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: 160 Thermostat to cold?? (dmarks1961)
Hmmm--Seems like if that was the case the car would be a dog every time you started it cold until it warmed up over 180 or so. Sounds like BS. That said it probably does deteriorate fuel dispersement. I run one with H/C pkg and car usually runs about 175 degrees-Runs great. :seeya
[Modified by dmarks1961, 4:42 PM 3/12/2004]
[Modified by dmarks1961, 4:42 PM 3/12/2004]
