Safe Temperature ranges
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
Safe Temperature ranges
With a new C6 vert, what is the lowest aftermarket thermostat temp ideal to cool but not be too cool to start causing mechanical issues? Ive seen some 180, and all the way down to 160, but not sure if all online warnings are generic or if there is an ideal one. I live in Arizona where it gets a bit chilly... all 60 days a year.
Seriously, heat kills around here and is brutal on cars. Any help with a safe choice here would be great.
mmmmmm "Help me good ole forum" mmmmmmm
Seriously, heat kills around here and is brutal on cars. Any help with a safe choice here would be great.
mmmmmm "Help me good ole forum" mmmmmmm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
You'll get a lot of debate on this one. I have a 160 in my C6 and after the car warms up it will run around 178F, even in the cold 60 days of winter here in Chandler. 
I liked the 160 stat because of my experience on the dyno. I lost 18 hp between back to back dyno pulls with my stock stat on a 98F evening. A week later, same weather, I actually gained 1 hp on back to back runs. It made my car a lot more consistent.
I liked the 160 stat because of my experience on the dyno. I lost 18 hp between back to back dyno pulls with my stock stat on a 98F evening. A week later, same weather, I actually gained 1 hp on back to back runs. It made my car a lot more consistent.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
No problems so far. I had a knocking (pinging) problem on my 01Z28 and it went away when I changed to the 160 stat. However, the Corvette did not knock before or after the 160 stat. When I had the stock 187 stat, it was very clear on the second dyno pull that the computer was pulling timing from the engine at around 3100 rpm.
If you do a search you'll see a lot of passionate arguments against going to the 160 stat. All the reasons (which I don't agree with):
1) Too wide of temperature range to tune to.
2) Too cold in the winter (not a problem where we live)
3) Worse gas mileage (I haven't noticed a change)
The last good argument is that in town it will not be much help if you don't reset the fan to come on at a lower temp. I'll probably do this if I get a tune. But even in the summer time, I'm now running below 200 all the time, even in town.
If you do a search you'll see a lot of passionate arguments against going to the 160 stat. All the reasons (which I don't agree with):
1) Too wide of temperature range to tune to.
2) Too cold in the winter (not a problem where we live)
3) Worse gas mileage (I haven't noticed a change)
The last good argument is that in town it will not be much help if you don't reset the fan to come on at a lower temp. I'll probably do this if I get a tune. But even in the summer time, I'm now running below 200 all the time, even in town.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
I just did a 160° t'stat with a mail in computer tune by Chuck @ Corvettes of Westchester. Well worth it in the 100°+ temps in Austin.
The car runs around 180° on the DIC readout at cruise and never gets higher than mid 190°'s regardless of outside temps.
The car runs around 180° on the DIC readout at cruise and never gets higher than mid 190°'s regardless of outside temps.
