160 Thermostat
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
160 Thermostat
I understand what these actually do, allowing the engine to run at a lower temp, but what performance gains does it actually yield. Basically, is it worth the $30 or so if I just have bolt ons (headers, catted x-pipe, and exhaust)? Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11-'12
From what I have been told, the lower t-stat allows the engine fans to be set lower resulting in a cooler running engine. That keeps the ECM from pulling timing as the temps increase. Pulled timing=less performance.
I would venture to say the $30 with all the add ons, is a definite move.
I would venture to say the $30 with all the add ons, is a definite move.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,834
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
All that may be true but the engine will not pull timing when running at the stock thermo temperature setting. When you are driving on the highway the car will run very close to that temp setting even in very hot weather. In traffic the stock temps will go up to the range of 240 degrees. Maybe some timing is pulled maybe not but who cares? You aren't going anywhere anyways. If you are tracking the car the temps will approach 230 degrees when running at wide open throttle for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. No matter which thermostat you have in the car it will reach those temps as the cooling system performance is the limiter not the thermostat. I have never installed a lower thermo and have never noticed any difference in performance when running with other cars that have them.
Bill
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Cooler temps recipe
Cooler running engines produce less heat=less friction heat transfer. If you're really interested in cooling down your engine, you may want to try a hi-capacity radiator, 160* stat, and an electric water pump.
I run a DeWitts hi-capacity radiator, 160* stat and Mezziere electric water pump. The combination of these together pumps a greater volume of coolant, and pumps it at a continual pace with cooler running temps as a result. My average running temps ran to 225* in heavy sustained traffic and 205-210* in ordinary summer driving in stock configuration. After the switch, my average running temps run 160-180* and sitting in heavy sustained traffic, never gets above 190*. That's a dramatic change and I'm totally pleased with the outcome and performance.
I run a DeWitts hi-capacity radiator, 160* stat and Mezziere electric water pump. The combination of these together pumps a greater volume of coolant, and pumps it at a continual pace with cooler running temps as a result. My average running temps ran to 225* in heavy sustained traffic and 205-210* in ordinary summer driving in stock configuration. After the switch, my average running temps run 160-180* and sitting in heavy sustained traffic, never gets above 190*. That's a dramatic change and I'm totally pleased with the outcome and performance.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: LZ IL
just a dewitts and fan reprogram will yield temps less than 200 max for street driving. Track is a whole other matter.
Start with the fans then see where you are at. The factory radiator is pretty small when dealing with extreme heat in the south.
Start with the fans then see where you are at. The factory radiator is pretty small when dealing with extreme heat in the south.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,405
From: Bethesda MD
All that may be true but the engine will not pull timing when running at the stock thermo temperature setting. When you are driving on the highway the car will run very close to that temp setting even in very hot weather. In traffic the stock temps will go up to the range of 240 degrees. Maybe some timing is pulled maybe not but who cares? You aren't going anywhere anyways. Bill
IMO, the 160 T-Stat is not worth much if the car isn't tuned, especially the fans, to take advantage of it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I will be getting my car tuned once I get the headers installed. On the other side, this is my daily driver and I do not plan to track it. Am I getting the right feeling so far that the thermostat would not be necessary/advantageous? Thanks for all the input so far.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,829
Likes: 361
From: Albuquerque NM
If all you do is cruise, stay stock. BUT, you say headers and a tune are in your future. If you are looking for more performance, a lower temp thermostat is part of the basic mods you should add. As said by others, the ECM pulls timing (and therefore horsepower) at temps (AIT and ECT) that you will face with the stock thermostat. It's a no-brainer.
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