Z06Preacherman

I am a new Z06 owner and do not like how warm the engine runs so I am wanting to replace the thermostat w/a 160. I looked up the stat and some come w/just the thermostat and others w/the thermostat and housing as well. So, my question can I just replace the thermostat or it is best to go w/a new housing as well?

Thank you for your help

2003Evo

You need both the tstat and housing

neutron82

you will also need to have your fan on/off temps adjusted if you want it to run cooler at idle... doing only a 160 stat will help it run cooler while cruising but the temps will still creep up at idle if you don't adjust the fans also

Street Approved

Will programing the fans to turn on early and to run longer cause it to fail earlier ? Or are the fans pretty solid ?

neutron82

the fans are pretty stout... the stock fans on my c5z and old trans am were set up to run most of the time once operating temp was reached and I never had an issue... I am running spal fans now so hopefully those hold up just as good

Z06Preacherman

My follow up question is what is the torque specs for the tstat housing.

JoeJ

13ft. lbs. I did the same this weekend. You will need to drain the fluid and it will still leak some when you pull the t-stat..

To further your question, through 03 uses a combo T-stat and housing. The 04's use just a t-stat as it is separate from the housing. You can buy the 160° t-stat with housing from Amazon for under $20 shipped to your door. It is the same one all the vendors sell for $50 + shipping.

Z06Preacherman

Thank you guys for your help. Would you go w/the 160 or would you use a 180 or 187?

racebum

keep it stock. a lower temp thermostat won't help when the factory fans don't come on till 228. this engine was designed to run warm and there are no issues with it doing so

also, the housing was changed around 2004 so a new thermostat wont fit an older OE pump, all ac delco stats are now for the 04 housing. if you go aftermarket you will probably wind up paying more especially if someone still makes the old style

what you need to do is pull the radiator and clean out all the crap jammed in it. this should be done every 10-20k miles and many people neglect it. you will have a mountain of sand in the fins

RedZMonte

My 04 has a 1 pcs Housing/T-stat... It was not separate like most cars.

S

bob guzzy

Before you start your job, take a good look at the radiator for grass, leaves, etc. loads of junk get sucked up into the space between the condenser and the radiator.

I just had my radiator out to replace it for a leak but I found plenty of junk right near the top.

Dave02C5

go 160.. I ran 178 all day today and it was 87 degrees here. tuning is a must though to get the fans to come on. or just run a manual switch