160 degree thermo
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
[QUOTE=dennis50nj;1571480960]
Gee, Mr. Dennis if you had one of them their stock T-stats, I'd reckon you be running 9s now.
I'm fairly sure that 2 factors drive the need for a higher T-stat in the factory design. As noted above, emissions requirements is a consideration. The second factor is oil temp. With the 160 T-stat, you do need to watch in colder climates that the oil temp gets warm enough to burn off the moisture. My oil temps mostly stay under 190 in the winter and often get no higher than 180*. That's less than ideal. I'll probably address that this winter, but factory car drivers don't want to worry about that.
I'm fairly sure that 2 factors drive the need for a higher T-stat in the factory design. As noted above, emissions requirements is a consideration. The second factor is oil temp. With the 160 T-stat, you do need to watch in colder climates that the oil temp gets warm enough to burn off the moisture. My oil temps mostly stay under 190 in the winter and often get no higher than 180*. That's less than ideal. I'll probably address that this winter, but factory car drivers don't want to worry about that.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
[QUOTE=Ragtop 99;1571481418]
Gee, Mr. Dennis if you had one of them their stock T-stats, I'd reckon you be running 9s now.
I'm fairly sure that 2 factors drive the need for a higher T-stat in the factory design. As noted above, emissions requirements is a consideration. The second factor is oil temp. With the 160 T-stat, you do need to watch in colder climates that the oil temp gets warm enough to burn off the moisture. My oil temps mostly stay under 190 in the winter and often get no higher than 180*. That's less than ideal. I'll probably address that this winter, but factory car drivers don't want to worry about that.
that's 1 reason i have the 160 stat as to help keep my oil temps down as with my aggressive driving and low gears my rpm is higher at 70 mph then the stock car, even in the winter
Gee, Mr. Dennis if you had one of them their stock T-stats, I'd reckon you be running 9s now.
I'm fairly sure that 2 factors drive the need for a higher T-stat in the factory design. As noted above, emissions requirements is a consideration. The second factor is oil temp. With the 160 T-stat, you do need to watch in colder climates that the oil temp gets warm enough to burn off the moisture. My oil temps mostly stay under 190 in the winter and often get no higher than 180*. That's less than ideal. I'll probably address that this winter, but factory car drivers don't want to worry about that.
that's 1 reason i have the 160 stat as to help keep my oil temps down as with my aggressive driving and low gears my rpm is higher at 70 mph then the stock car, even in the winter
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 652
Likes: 3
From: Salisbury MD.
160 thermo
I installed a 160 DEGREE THERMO in my ls3 and lost 4 mpg on a 90 mile run one way that I drive twice a week. Any thoughts on what may have caused the drop in mpg. The only thing that comes to mind is that the motor is not running hot enough to perform as before.
Thanks, C5-JIM
Thanks, C5-JIM
Thanks to all that replied, C5-JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,503
Likes: 1,818
From: Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '17,'22 thru '26
Could it be the gas? The pump stickers say may contain ethanol, my bulk distributor says some tanker loads have it and some don't depending on availability. Also you could have a lower octane due to the station tank fill, ie some regular in the premium tank?? Just a thought. I also really doubt it's the thermostat, your car doesn't run at 160* I'm sure.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
If you want a more "Exact" answer you'll have to take your car to a laboratory to conduct some very through testing with some very sophisticated equipment!
I personally thought you received some VERY GOOD replies... I honestly don't understand what more you could have gotten out of the question you asked and the answers you received!
Like one previous poster said nothing is for FREE... Most people here put in 160 T Stat to get improved performance.. at the cost of a few MPG... However if you are not interested in improved performance and are more concerned with gas mileage, you can put back the stock T Stat, and also look into changing the rear end gearing... and your highway mileage might improve, ... However your acceleration and the cars response to hitting the gas pedal may be a little slower.. but you cant have EVERYTHING... Its not a Perfect World!
Last edited by jpee; Sep 13, 2009 at 09:06 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
Sooo, is the 160 worth doing? I just had my fans programed to run most of the time and was waiting for free time to do the stat. I'd rather miss 2hp and have my engine last 2000 miles more.
Can an expert lay this to rest??
Thanks!
Rod
Can an expert lay this to rest??
Thanks!
Rod
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
I don't understand exactly what you are looking for.. all "ANYONE" can give you here is "conjecture or thoughts."
If you want a more "Exact" answer you'll have to take your car to a laboratory to conduct some very through testing with some very sophisticated equipment!
I personally thought you received some VERY GOOD replies... I honestly don't understand what more you could have gotten out of the question you asked and the answers you received!
Like one previous poster said nothing is for FREE... Most people here put in 160 T Stat to get improved performance.. at the cost of a few MPG... However if you are not interested in improved performance and are more concerned with gas mileage, you can put back the stock T Stat, and also look into changing the rear end gearing... and your highway mileage might improve, ... However your acceleration and the cars response to hitting the gas pedal may be a little slower.. but you cant have EVERYTHING... Its not a Perfect World!
If you want a more "Exact" answer you'll have to take your car to a laboratory to conduct some very through testing with some very sophisticated equipment!
I personally thought you received some VERY GOOD replies... I honestly don't understand what more you could have gotten out of the question you asked and the answers you received!
Like one previous poster said nothing is for FREE... Most people here put in 160 T Stat to get improved performance.. at the cost of a few MPG... However if you are not interested in improved performance and are more concerned with gas mileage, you can put back the stock T Stat, and also look into changing the rear end gearing... and your highway mileage might improve, ... However your acceleration and the cars response to hitting the gas pedal may be a little slower.. but you cant have EVERYTHING... Its not a Perfect World!
you did loss gas millage because of it being cooler the the car runs richer, the oil is a little thicker and the car runs faster and you are stepping on it more
and i loss mileage to, so you have your answer, but you didn't loss 4 miles a gallon only 1, you must have had an oil change too and they put the normal 6 qts in over filling
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
that 160 stat was for pure gas mileage, so you didn't have to pay a gas guzzlers tax, Winston cup cars do it for fuel mileage
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
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From: Somers NY
I agree I too would like to get an extra 2000 miles out of my motor.. but on my 96 C4 (LT1 motor) I put 70,000 miles on it many 1/4 mile at a time.. and when I sold it it was still running like a top.. (12.40 @ 110 mph) and it never had the heads off ever! I did have a 160 T Stat!
Sorry for adding a late "edit' Sgt. you said you had your fans programed to go on sooner.... "WHY" was your engine overheating, or running too hot???
Or did you do it to have your engine run cooler, & why ?
Last edited by jpee; Sep 13, 2009 at 09:35 PM.
Le Mans Master
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
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From: Short Hills, NJ
All of the tuners that have built proven, fast cars and know what they're doing that is. 
This is true...and yet somehow "Joe Tuner" throws on a set of $1500.00 headers and $20.00 thermostat and with the press of a few buttons on a laptop finds up to 30+rwhp that this "committee of engineers and millions in R&D money" couldn't.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
Just curious.... "NOT BUSTING BALZ" when was the last time you heard of a small block (or Big Block) crap out or break because of a 160 T Stat ??
I agree I too would like to get an extra 2000 miles out of my motor.. but on my 96 C4 (LT1 motor) I put 70,000 miles on it many 1/4 mile at a time.. and when I sold it it was still running like a top.. (12.40 @ 110 mph) and it never had the heads off ever! I did have a 160 T Stat!
Sorry for adding a late "edit' Sgt. you said you had your fans programed to go on sooner.... "WHY" was your engine overheating, or running too hot???
Or did you do it to have your engine run cooler, & why ?
I agree I too would like to get an extra 2000 miles out of my motor.. but on my 96 C4 (LT1 motor) I put 70,000 miles on it many 1/4 mile at a time.. and when I sold it it was still running like a top.. (12.40 @ 110 mph) and it never had the heads off ever! I did have a 160 T Stat!
Sorry for adding a late "edit' Sgt. you said you had your fans programed to go on sooner.... "WHY" was your engine overheating, or running too hot???
Or did you do it to have your engine run cooler, & why ?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
sorry, I did not observe any loss in mileage with my T-stat install, but I added headers and tuned the car, so I don't have clean before and after data. IMO, there are other factors at work if you lost 4 mpg including the possibility that your T-stat is bad and opens too early.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 652
Likes: 3
From: Salisbury MD.
I don't understand exactly what you are looking for.. all "ANYONE" can give you here is "conjecture or thoughts."
If you want a more "Exact" answer you'll have to take your car to a laboratory to conduct some very through testing with some very sophisticated equipment!
I personally thought you received some VERY GOOD replies... I honestly don't understand what more you could have gotten out of the question you asked and the answers you received!
Like one previous poster said nothing is for FREE... Most people here put in 160 T Stat to get improved performance.. at the cost of a few MPG... However if you are not interested in improved performance and are more concerned with gas mileage, you can put back the stock T Stat, and also look into changing the rear end gearing... and your highway mileage might improve, ... However your acceleration and the cars response to hitting the gas pedal may be a little slower.. but you cant have EVERYTHING... Its not a Perfect World!
If you want a more "Exact" answer you'll have to take your car to a laboratory to conduct some very through testing with some very sophisticated equipment!
I personally thought you received some VERY GOOD replies... I honestly don't understand what more you could have gotten out of the question you asked and the answers you received!
Like one previous poster said nothing is for FREE... Most people here put in 160 T Stat to get improved performance.. at the cost of a few MPG... However if you are not interested in improved performance and are more concerned with gas mileage, you can put back the stock T Stat, and also look into changing the rear end gearing... and your highway mileage might improve, ... However your acceleration and the cars response to hitting the gas pedal may be a little slower.. but you cant have EVERYTHING... Its not a Perfect World!
Thanks to all that replied.
C5-JIM
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 563
Likes: 2
From: Allen TX
There is; fuel economy and emissions (both truly valid reasons to leave it in there of course...if going as fast as possible is of no concern to the owner that is).
I suppose that the Goodyear runflat tires and relatively soft rubber bushings that the car comes with are also the absolute best choice for all potential owner's needs/desires as well?
Sometimes yes, but not all of the time.
There's certainly nothing wrong with leaving a car bone stock but please don't ever assume that the factory put all of the absolute best performance parts (or programming) possible in the car when they built it either, there are always compromises and concessions made for various reasons. This is why the aftermarket world is so popular.
I suppose that the Goodyear runflat tires and relatively soft rubber bushings that the car comes with are also the absolute best choice for all potential owner's needs/desires as well?
Sometimes yes, but not all of the time.
There's certainly nothing wrong with leaving a car bone stock but please don't ever assume that the factory put all of the absolute best performance parts (or programming) possible in the car when they built it either, there are always compromises and concessions made for various reasons. This is why the aftermarket world is so popular.
