Question 160 Or 180 Thermostat?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
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From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Good Move Arch
Originally Posted by archtop
I guess I'll stick with the 180 since its a daily driver.
I think that's the best/safest move Arch 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by archtop
I guess I'll stick with the 180 since its a daily driver.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I run a 160 also 
anything that helps lower temps for anti-detonation with my high compression C6 11.5:1.....
I was quoting (article on camshaft life and running temperature - water vapor in the oil contributes to cam and lifter failure---so they say) crane cam's position on it but they don't know anything. Water in the oil....lol....scuff marks on pistons...lol. What happens with running as high as 230 degrees when the coolant will not allow a boilover below 270? I don't know. From an honest standpoint if the dyno shows more power with the 160....I'm sold.
also...The crankcase is vented to the atmosphere at all times through the intake...the valvecover vent goes in front of the TB.
Jeeze guys relax, its a discussion and some get a little upset when the opinion differs from what they were sold....relax....both work. Sorry to **** some off with a different opinion.
anything that helps lower temps for anti-detonation with my high compression C6 11.5:1.....I was quoting (article on camshaft life and running temperature - water vapor in the oil contributes to cam and lifter failure---so they say) crane cam's position on it but they don't know anything. Water in the oil....lol....scuff marks on pistons...lol. What happens with running as high as 230 degrees when the coolant will not allow a boilover below 270? I don't know. From an honest standpoint if the dyno shows more power with the 160....I'm sold.
also...The crankcase is vented to the atmosphere at all times through the intake...the valvecover vent goes in front of the TB.
Jeeze guys relax, its a discussion and some get a little upset when the opinion differs from what they were sold....relax....both work. Sorry to **** some off with a different opinion.
Last edited by SpinMonster; Jun 4, 2005 at 04:17 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by LS1LT1
This might be true if we were talking about a small block Chevy running back in the '70s but in this modern era of computer controls and EFI these fears are a bit antiquated to say the least. 
I think the biggest misconception about a properly functioning 160 degree t-stat is that it actually holds the motor at 160 degrees, no offense but if there are people in the LS1/LS6/LS2 community that still believe this I think they might be better off skipping the mods and just sticking to the car show circuit.
I think the biggest misconception about a properly functioning 160 degree t-stat is that it actually holds the motor at 160 degrees, no offense but if there are people in the LS1/LS6/LS2 community that still believe this I think they might be better off skipping the mods and just sticking to the car show circuit.
At idle I think I am at 184 and as low as 172 with the car moving...160 degree.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,254
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From: Ft. Liquordale Florida
Originally Posted by SpinMonster
Actually the opposite was true of the old school....the oil couldn't handle being up in temps for that long and until sythetics ..you had to run at 160-180 for any type of durability.
At idle I think I am at 184 and as low as 172 with the car moving...160 degree.
At idle I think I am at 184 and as low as 172 with the car moving...160 degree.
Average operating temps here in Ft. Lauderdale (from my observations) have my coolant temps at a steady 192 degrees. I don't see how having a lower rated thermostat is going to change that, since a 180 is already open (and staying open) at that temp. The coolant gets to 192 (or so) within a couple of minutes of operation. My OIL TEMPS average 225 or so, and take a little longer to get up there than the
The purpose of changing to a lower thermostat in this case would be???
Rick
Rick
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 546
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From: CA
Originally Posted by SickRick
The purpose of changing to a lower thermostat in this case would be???
Rick
Rick
at the temp it wants and that'll usually be higher
than the thermostat temp. You're right on the money.
Pat
