160 T-Stat and underdrive pulley ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 74
160 T-Stat and underdrive pulley ?
What is the reason folks change the stock stat out for a 160 degree stat??
A few years ago my buddy changed his stock one out for a lower temp one and noticed his gas mileage dropped off drastically. A tech told him the engines were designed to run @ a certain temp-- he changed it back and the mileage went right back to where it was before.
Also- what is the deal with swapping out the harmonic balancer pulley to an underdrive one
Thanks
K
A few years ago my buddy changed his stock one out for a lower temp one and noticed his gas mileage dropped off drastically. A tech told him the engines were designed to run @ a certain temp-- he changed it back and the mileage went right back to where it was before.
Also- what is the deal with swapping out the harmonic balancer pulley to an underdrive one
Thanks
K
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
UD pulley will spin the belt driven accessories slower, freeing up crank and rear wheel Hp. The 160* thermostat is recommended to help the engine run cooler. most guys who mod will generally push the car harder, requiring more cooling... I'm not sure I buy the whole "lose gas mileage" thing with a 160* tstat. My old LS2 made 485/440 with a cam, 160* tstat, ported heads and full bolt-ons and made near 30 mpg on the highway while driving normal. I call BS on that.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Today's computer controlled cars come out of cold running or choke mode at way colder temps than you will see with a 160. It will not affect your gas mileage at all. It will however help keep you out of detonation or the ECM invoking KR.
