Recommendations for operating temps on engine & trans what tstat?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 72
From: Cincinnati OH
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
They dont make a 170. Your choice is 160 or 180. Stock is 187.
Since you're in southern oh, you probably should go 160. Up north, my
160 hits about 165 in 20-30 degree weather, though the heater still
kicks up heat. I have been thinking of trying the LPE 180 I bought off fleabay.
Since you're in southern oh, you probably should go 160. Up north, my
160 hits about 165 in 20-30 degree weather, though the heater still
kicks up heat. I have been thinking of trying the LPE 180 I bought off fleabay.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
The 160 is what you need. The temp rating is misleading. I've tested some 180's, and there is not really a 20 degree difference, they actually start to open at almost the same temp, but then open more slowly. Adjusting the fan settings will also help to keep the coolant temps under control in stop & go traffic, and under heavy loads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
They dont make a 170. Your choice is 160 or 180. Stock is 187.
Since you're in southern oh, you probably should go 160. Up north, my
160 hits about 165 in 20-30 degree weather, though the heater still
kicks up heat. I have been thinking of trying the LPE 180 I bought off fleabay.
Since you're in southern oh, you probably should go 160. Up north, my
160 hits about 165 in 20-30 degree weather, though the heater still
kicks up heat. I have been thinking of trying the LPE 180 I bought off fleabay.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 72
From: Cincinnati OH
Hey, Beef --- long time no hear!
The 160 is what you need. The temp rating is misleading. I've tested some 180's, and there is not really a 20 degree difference, they actually start to open at almost the same temp, but then open more slowly. Adjusting the fan settings will also help to keep the coolant temps under control in stop & go traffic, and under heavy loads.
The 160 is what you need. The temp rating is misleading. I've tested some 180's, and there is not really a 20 degree difference, they actually start to open at almost the same temp, but then open more slowly. Adjusting the fan settings will also help to keep the coolant temps under control in stop & go traffic, and under heavy loads.
i'm still around and kickin brother!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
Here's something interesting. Today I did an experiment.
70 mph, ~1400 rpm/6th gear...Coolant temp 196*-198*F
70 mph, ~3000 rpm/4th gear...Coolant temp 190*F
I repeated this several times. As soon as I would downshift to 4th, temps would immediately fall, shift back to 6th and they rise right back up.
I'm guessing the water pump isn't that efficient at low rpm (?). I was expecting a rise in temp at the higher rpm, but it was the opposite. Something to think about maybe if you have an underdrive pulley and plan on supercharging your car.
Those using a 160*F thermostat give this same experiment a try and see what you get.
70 mph, ~1400 rpm/6th gear...Coolant temp 196*-198*F
70 mph, ~3000 rpm/4th gear...Coolant temp 190*F
I repeated this several times. As soon as I would downshift to 4th, temps would immediately fall, shift back to 6th and they rise right back up.
I'm guessing the water pump isn't that efficient at low rpm (?). I was expecting a rise in temp at the higher rpm, but it was the opposite. Something to think about maybe if you have an underdrive pulley and plan on supercharging your car.
Those using a 160*F thermostat give this same experiment a try and see what you get.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,899
Likes: 4,352
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
I, like most that have replaced the TStat, am running a 160* Stat on a 415ci motor. My cruise temps are in the mid 180s with my fan scheduled to start to run at 190*. (The Stock setting for the fan is 204* and fully on at 238*) The highest temp I have seen was in 95* mid-day heat sitting at a stoplight - 207* - This is actually pretty cool for a modern car (my CTS cruise temp is 210*). My temps are essentially the same for a stock radiator and my new DeWitts unit.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Here's something interesting. Today I did an experiment.
70 mph, ~1400 rpm/6th gear...Coolant temp 196*-198*F
70 mph, ~3000 rpm/4th gear...Coolant temp 190*F
I repeated this several times. As soon as I would downshift to 4th, temps would immediately fall, shift back to 6th and they rise right back up.
I'm guessing the water pump isn't that efficient at low rpm (?). I was expecting a rise in temp at the higher rpm, but it was the opposite. Something to think about maybe if you have an underdrive pulley and plan on supercharging your car.
Those using a 160*F thermostat give this same experiment a try and see what you get.
70 mph, ~1400 rpm/6th gear...Coolant temp 196*-198*F
70 mph, ~3000 rpm/4th gear...Coolant temp 190*F
I repeated this several times. As soon as I would downshift to 4th, temps would immediately fall, shift back to 6th and they rise right back up.
I'm guessing the water pump isn't that efficient at low rpm (?). I was expecting a rise in temp at the higher rpm, but it was the opposite. Something to think about maybe if you have an underdrive pulley and plan on supercharging your car.
Those using a 160*F thermostat give this same experiment a try and see what you get.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Dropping to 4th gear got the RPMs up over 2K RPMs in my A6, coolant temps dropped 6 degrees, to 175, within 10 seconds.
IMHO, guys running 3.90 of 4.10 gears on the street should probably not run a 160 thermo, 180 would probably work better. On the other hand, as AirBus has pointed out, guys running underdrive pulleys should probably consider swapping out their thermo for a lower temp model.
Anyone have real-world experience?
IMHO, guys running 3.90 of 4.10 gears on the street should probably not run a 160 thermo, 180 would probably work better. On the other hand, as AirBus has pointed out, guys running underdrive pulleys should probably consider swapping out their thermo for a lower temp model.
Anyone have real-world experience?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I run a 160F thermostat on my daily driven supercharged C6; it was fine in winter; the car warmed up just fine even in temperatures down in the 20s. In the summer I see cruising temps approaching 200, going up as high as 210 - 216 if I am driving very agressively (long high boost full throttle runs).
Back when my car had bolt ons only I saw 236F in Philadelphia driving in stop and go traffic with the A/C on
Back when my car had bolt ons only I saw 236F in Philadelphia driving in stop and go traffic with the A/C on
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
I have an LPE 180 stat sitting around to test out with the stock fan settings.
I think getting the motor to simply stay below 212deg (the point where the ECU starts pulling timing) regardless of conditions would be ideal as far as ensuring good heater operation/unaffected fuel economy.
I might try the 180 stat but it seems like the 160 with stock fan settings might be a good choice for the warranty conscious (like me) who aren't willing to flash the ECU but want to assure that their cars stay in the sweet spot of the timing map. I'm somewhat concerned about Coolant Temp enrichment being an issue with a stock tune when running below 190degrees though.
I think getting the motor to simply stay below 212deg (the point where the ECU starts pulling timing) regardless of conditions would be ideal as far as ensuring good heater operation/unaffected fuel economy.
I might try the 180 stat but it seems like the 160 with stock fan settings might be a good choice for the warranty conscious (like me) who aren't willing to flash the ECU but want to assure that their cars stay in the sweet spot of the timing map. I'm somewhat concerned about Coolant Temp enrichment being an issue with a stock tune when running below 190degrees though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
I have an LPE 180 stat sitting around to test out with the stock fan settings.
I think getting the motor to simply stay below 212deg (the point where the ECU starts pulling timing) regardless of conditions would be ideal as far as ensuring good heater operation/unaffected fuel economy.
I might try the 180 stat but it seems like the 160 with stock fan settings might be a good choice for the warranty conscious (like me) who aren't willing to flash the ECU but want to assure that their cars stay in the sweet spot of the timing map. I'm somewhat concerned about Coolant Temp enrichment being an issue with a stock tune when running below 190degrees though.
I think getting the motor to simply stay below 212deg (the point where the ECU starts pulling timing) regardless of conditions would be ideal as far as ensuring good heater operation/unaffected fuel economy.
I might try the 180 stat but it seems like the 160 with stock fan settings might be a good choice for the warranty conscious (like me) who aren't willing to flash the ECU but want to assure that their cars stay in the sweet spot of the timing map. I'm somewhat concerned about Coolant Temp enrichment being an issue with a stock tune when running below 190degrees though.
