160* thermostat
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 77
From: Lake Charles Louisiana
160* thermostat
I did a little bit of searching but couldnt find too much info. I have a 08 LS3 car. Looking for a 160* thermostat. I went to advanced website, and it shows a MR gasket one will work. Is that the case, is it worth it to keep the temps a lil cooler?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
A tune will turn the fans on quicker in stop light traffic. On the hwy you should see a drop in temp without the tune.
One other thing.....it might mess with your warranty. That all depends on your dealer...on that one. I might be screaming the sky is falling without a good reason, tho. Just something to consider.
A lot of the tuners demand a 160* thermostat....so it must be something to it.
Larry
One other thing.....it might mess with your warranty. That all depends on your dealer...on that one. I might be screaming the sky is falling without a good reason, tho. Just something to consider.
A lot of the tuners demand a 160* thermostat....so it must be something to it.
Larry
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Yorba Linda Ca
O-Ring
Make sure that you get one for the '08. I think that they changed slightly both before and after that year. Also, the stock 'stat is actually a more robust looking unit. I'm not sure, but I think that one of vendors (Lifinger) has one that is by the same manufacturer as the stock model. Finally, make darn sure that the little bitty tongue on the o-ring stays lined up with the recess in the housing. Mine moved, and it had a slow leak.
I am not so sure how much the tune of the fans really helped. I have an '08, and my gut feel is that in Los Angeles traffic the radiator needs to have more capacity. Tuning the shift points of the automatic really helped a lot, and it was well under $100 for the whole deal.
Have fun.
I am not so sure how much the tune of the fans really helped. I have an '08, and my gut feel is that in Los Angeles traffic the radiator needs to have more capacity. Tuning the shift points of the automatic really helped a lot, and it was well under $100 for the whole deal.
Have fun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Make sure that you get one for the '08. I think that they changed slightly both before and after that year. Also, the stock 'stat is actually a more robust looking unit. I'm not sure, but I think that one of vendors (Lifinger) has one that is by the same manufacturer as the stock model. Finally, make darn sure that the little bitty tongue on the o-ring stays lined up with the recess in the housing. Mine moved, and it had a slow leak.
I am not so sure how much the tune of the fans really helped. I have an '08, and my gut feel is that in Los Angeles traffic the radiator needs to have more capacity. Tuning the shift points of the automatic really helped a lot, and it was well under $100 for the whole deal.
Have fun.
I am not so sure how much the tune of the fans really helped. I have an '08, and my gut feel is that in Los Angeles traffic the radiator needs to have more capacity. Tuning the shift points of the automatic really helped a lot, and it was well under $100 for the whole deal.
Have fun.
Get a stat for the "08 and make sure the O ring seat correctly. Also, you'll lose coolant, if you don't drain the system first and replace it with Dexcool only. With a tune mine runs 176F on the freeway and 192 in stop & go here in Big "D".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
I had a cam & tune done on my 08 & the shop put in a 180 stat & has the fan to come on at 196 degrees at 25% & 70% at 203 degrees.The day i drove it back home (150 miles) on the freeway at 75 MPH or more it ran at 185 to 187 degrees & the outside temp was 82 degrees in town it never goes above 200 degrees.The tuner recommended a 180 stat instead of a 160 stat.So if it runs in the 180"s & 190's I'm very happy & the engine also.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 147
From: St. Louis MO
Thy Google-Fu is weak, grasshopper. 
From: 06-27-2009, 04:29 PM
This answer was respected.
From: 06-27-2009, 04:29 PM
This answer was respected.
Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez! I am getting SO tired of these threads that seem to pop up EVERY few months! DO A SEARCH!
FACT: a 160 thermo, with no other changes to the ECM, will usually result in highway temps around 180. This is NOT too cool for the engine, will NOT affect emissions or gas mileage, and will NOT void your warranty.
FACT: Adjusting the fan settings, in combination with the 160 thermo, will help stabilize coolant temps in stop & go driving, should have little to no effect on highway cruising temps.
FACT: The 160 thermo will not improve performance all by itself. What it will do is prevent timing being pulled by the ECM when coolant temps exceed 195 degrees. This is especially helpful at the track, and on very hot days.
I have a Lingenfelter thermo, and it works perfectly. I tested it beforehand in a pot of heated coolant, using a digital thermometer. When doing this test, you will notice that the thermo doesn't just pop wide open at 160 degrees, it starts to open very gradually, and at the 180 degree cruising temp, it is only partially open. This is what allows the temps to stay stable. In stop & go driving, airflow to the radiator is reduced, and the thermostat will open wider as the coolant gets hotter.
Sorry to get on a rant here, but I must have posted 25-30 times on this subject, in dozens of threads. All the facts I quoted have been proven over and over again. All the top performance tuners install them along with almost any performance mod.
In my opinion, this is not a worthwhile mod unless you are looking for optimal performance at the track, or if you routinely do a lot of stop & go driving in very hot weather.
FACT: a 160 thermo, with no other changes to the ECM, will usually result in highway temps around 180. This is NOT too cool for the engine, will NOT affect emissions or gas mileage, and will NOT void your warranty.
FACT: Adjusting the fan settings, in combination with the 160 thermo, will help stabilize coolant temps in stop & go driving, should have little to no effect on highway cruising temps.
FACT: The 160 thermo will not improve performance all by itself. What it will do is prevent timing being pulled by the ECM when coolant temps exceed 195 degrees. This is especially helpful at the track, and on very hot days.
I have a Lingenfelter thermo, and it works perfectly. I tested it beforehand in a pot of heated coolant, using a digital thermometer. When doing this test, you will notice that the thermo doesn't just pop wide open at 160 degrees, it starts to open very gradually, and at the 180 degree cruising temp, it is only partially open. This is what allows the temps to stay stable. In stop & go driving, airflow to the radiator is reduced, and the thermostat will open wider as the coolant gets hotter.
Sorry to get on a rant here, but I must have posted 25-30 times on this subject, in dozens of threads. All the facts I quoted have been proven over and over again. All the top performance tuners install them along with almost any performance mod.
In my opinion, this is not a worthwhile mod unless you are looking for optimal performance at the track, or if you routinely do a lot of stop & go driving in very hot weather.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 38
From: A galaxy far, far away...
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
I can't seem to find it, but there is an EXTENSIVE thread here in C6 somewhere (tech-S&T-Z06-FI) where Chuck CoW explains/debates how a stat works & why it's so important -& mandatory- for one of his tunes & making power.
If someone can find it, link it here
If someone can find it, link it here
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 780
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From: Miami FL
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Springfield TN
St. Jude Donor '10
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...rmostat-2.html
I believe this is the thread mentioned above. Ligenfelter is great to deal with and has quick shipping.
I believe this is the thread mentioned above. Ligenfelter is great to deal with and has quick shipping.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
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From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Call me and I'll get you set up right...
I've got everything here you need to handle it RIGHT the FIRST time.
Call me any time and I'll get you what you need.
Chuck CoW
