I see adds for reduced temp thermostats--160 degrees.

They claim improved performance? How so??

What happens to highway mpg?


firstc6vetter

 

I have a "Tune" by Cartek, & a 160 Thrmostat... in cold weather like 20 - 30 deg. It runs at 176 deg on the highway, and gets 25 MPH "highway" 15-17 around town....

As for performance, BEFORE I did anything, when it was BONE STOCK it ran 12.38 @ 112 mph

After the tune & 160 T Stat it ran 12.08 @ 115 mph in almost identical weather conditions....

Even if I take it out in 10 deg weather I get more than enough heat inside, & it runs great....


PS If you just change the thermostat "ONLY" you will not see a big improvement in 1/4 mile performance.. you will need a "Tune" also by a tuner who knows what he is doing..

 

A stat by itself won't do anything. You'll need a tune to modify the fan settings. That said, many complain their cars don't *warm up* fast enough after going to a 160° stat. This can be a bad thing.

It depends on your driving habits and your local weather. If you live in a region where it gets very hot in the summer but very cold in the winter... are you going to tune it every time the weather changes?

I chose a 180° stat with the fans set accordingly. I live in a mild climate where the temps don't variate much. Works for me.

 

I would not worry about warm up time.. any T Stat will remain closed until the temp is reached i.e. 160 it will not open until the engine is 160 .. enough to give you heat....

 

There have been many discussions on whether or not to install a lower temperature thermostat.

Some say that it is best to run the engine with the stock thermostat, and that running too low an engine temperature may cause piston slap, poorer fuel mileage, and higher emissions. Then there is the question about warranty.

The stock thermostat in an LS3 is 188 - that is, the thermostat begins to open at 188 F.

The temps in my stock LS3 run between 196 and 198 at legal highway speeds in 6th gear. If I drop into 5th gear, the temp drops to about 192. Around town, I can hit 206, which I find way too high. The radiator fan will kick in at 216, so GM doesn't seem to agree with me.

Some forum members have changed to a lower thermostat temperature (and nothing else), and their LS* engine temps have dropped significantly. The only way I can see this happening in my case, is to bring up the revs by running in a lower gear. I say this because I never seem to be able to run under 196 in 6th gear with a thermostat that opens at 188.

There are some tuners that recommend running a lower thermostat temperature (160) in order for their tunes to be effective. I believe, amongst other things, that they reprogram the radiator fan to kick in at a lower temperature to take advantage of the lower temperature thermostat. I am not, in any way shape or form, disputing or criticizing what they say.

Under normal driving conditions, the fan never kicks in (I've never heard mine in 10,500 miles). You should be aware that the 40 amp draw of the fan has caused melting connectors at the fan relay, so I would not recommend having the fan run more than GM intended.

I'm not going to get into performance improvements or fuel economy - I simply don't know at this time.

Aluminum radiators have larger water passage ways, and thus flow more coolant. I believe that changing to an aluminum radiator (about $600) along with a lower value thermostat is the best way to lower engine temps.

Down the road, after the warranty is up, I plan to install an aluminum rad and a 180 thermostat.



M...

 

@jpee

Please don't change what I posted. Please keep you response in your own post and leave my post unaltered.

This forum only works if we respect each other

 

Just say the word, & I'll remove my post if it offended you....

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Its nice to have quick and honest feedback when questions arise,

Appreciate your help

Firstc6vetter