160 thermostat?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 1
The stock stat allow the car to run hotter, which is more eco friendly. I intalled a 160 stat and tuned the computer for piece of mind. My car was running 200+degrees(which is normal for these vettes) but it bothered me seeing the higher numbers. Now it stays between 180-190 most of the time. The stat alone won't do any good unless you tune for it.There's been a bazillion and one threads about stats, but this is the gist of the info.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Some say that if you live and drive in a cold climate, it won't allow your heater to heat up as warm or as quickly.
Others say that while it will open sooner and allow the car to stay in that 185-190* range where supposedly it makes it's most power, that the temp is still going to ultimately wind up going to where it was going to go in the first place with the stock thermostat, if you keep driving it.
Some say that with the cooler thermostat opening sooner and thus lengthening the time it takes the car to reach temperature, causes the oil to not not get hot enough and reach a desired level of viscosity in time enough to prevent premature engine wear.
Others say that with the car running cooler, fuel is not burned as cleanly and efficiently.
Lots of controversy on this topic.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
Lots of controversy on this topic.
Some say that if you live and drive in a cold climate, it won't allow your heater to heat up as warm or as quickly.
Others say that while it will open sooner and allow the car to stay in that 185-190* range where supposedly it makes it's most power, that the temp is still going to ultimately wind up going to where it was going to go in the first place with the stock thermostat, if you keep driving it.
Some say that with the cooler thermostat opening sooner and thus lengthening the time it takes the car to reach temperature, causes the oil to not not get hot enough and reach a desired level of viscosity in time enough to prevent premature engine wear.
Others say that with the car running cooler, fuel is not burned as cleanly and efficiently.
Lots of controversy on this topic.
Some say that if you live and drive in a cold climate, it won't allow your heater to heat up as warm or as quickly.
Others say that while it will open sooner and allow the car to stay in that 185-190* range where supposedly it makes it's most power, that the temp is still going to ultimately wind up going to where it was going to go in the first place with the stock thermostat, if you keep driving it.
Some say that with the cooler thermostat opening sooner and thus lengthening the time it takes the car to reach temperature, causes the oil to not not get hot enough and reach a desired level of viscosity in time enough to prevent premature engine wear.
Others say that with the car running cooler, fuel is not burned as cleanly and efficiently.
Lots of controversy on this topic.
The engine warms up just as quickly as with the factory. Doesn't matter what degree thermostat you have if it's closed the engine is going to warm at the same rate.
Mine stays around 180-183 so far in 50-80 outside temps while moving. Stopped it will go up until the fan turns on at 192. Don't know what it's going to do when it get in the 90s.
Temperature does not get to the same as with the factory thermostat if your fan is programmed to come on at 192. Assuming a percent high enough to compensate for outside temperature.
My oil temp got to 208 the other day with my coolant temp on 181. That should be plenty warm for the oil.
I get 28 mpg at a steady 70 mph.
Hope this answers some of your question/concerns.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
If you get a 160 thermostat, which I recommend, tune the fans for it and have your tuner delete trouble code P0128! If this code is set by running a lower ECT it will scare the wee out of you! 
Your fans will go full blast, the DIC will read "HOT ENGINE AC TURNED OFF", the temp gauge on the HUD will go full hot, and the analog gauge will go to full COLD. If you reset the DIC it will read "COOLANT TEMP XXX"
To add to the fun you can't clear codes on the C6, you need a Tech II or other device.
Your fans will go full blast, the DIC will read "HOT ENGINE AC TURNED OFF", the temp gauge on the HUD will go full hot, and the analog gauge will go to full COLD. If you reset the DIC it will read "COOLANT TEMP XXX"
To add to the fun you can't clear codes on the C6, you need a Tech II or other device.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
I've used 160 stats in my LS type motors since 1999 and never had a problem. My current motor is a stroked L92 making 525rwhp running a 160 stat with a large direct fit radiator and cools great. Highway temps range between 178-183. In city driving it never gets over 200 no matter how long I wait at the traffic light. Oil temps between 203-210 hot enough to keep the motor clean. Just what the doctor ordered.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Thanks for all the good info.
BTW, I envy those with the warm weather problems. It was 17 degrees this morning when I got up. (Minnnesota)
I'm getting headers,CAI and a tune in a couple weeks, and the tuner (DRM) has suggested the 160 stat. along with changing fan settings.
BTW, I envy those with the warm weather problems. It was 17 degrees this morning when I got up. (Minnnesota)
I'm getting headers,CAI and a tune in a couple weeks, and the tuner (DRM) has suggested the 160 stat. along with changing fan settings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
I took the car for a long drive this morning. For some reason the temps would range from 178-189. Even moving good I saw 187 on occasion. Don't know what is going on that it varies so much. Outside temps were in the 60s. That should be cool enough to keep it away from upper 180s moving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
Click on Search on the upper red bar, then click Advanced Search. Enter key words like "106 thermostat." Just below it select Search Titles Only. On the right select C6 Tech. Then Search Now. It should look like this:
