Lower Cooling Temps
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Lower Cooling Temps
Hello, Gentlemen I know I probably missed a thread about this in my search but I didn't find what I was looking for. I recently bought a 427 Convt and I want to lower the engine temps. I used to have a C5 and an HP Tuner made it simple by just lowering the fan start temps. My question is how does this work in the C6. My C5 ran at about 190 on the interstate so I believe I had a lower temp thermostat but the C6 runs around 210 no matter what. Am I correct, that it must have a much higher thermostat and if so then lowering the cooling fan temp start will not help without a lower degree thermostat. ANy help is greatly appreciated and best options are my biggest interest. Thank again!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
The thermostat is approx 192-194 and it will not run much lower than that without a thermostat change.
You can change the fans...again the thermostat is going to limit it.
With a 160 and a fan change you can help bring it down a bit but remember total heat cap. will not change without a bigger radiator.
You can change the fans...again the thermostat is going to limit it.
With a 160 and a fan change you can help bring it down a bit but remember total heat cap. will not change without a bigger radiator.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
The thermostat is approx 192-194 and it will not run much lower than that without a thermostat change.
You can change the fans...again the thermostat is going to limit it.
With a 160 and a fan change you can help bring it down a bit but remember total heat cap. will not change without a bigger radiator.
You can change the fans...again the thermostat is going to limit it.
With a 160 and a fan change you can help bring it down a bit but remember total heat cap. will not change without a bigger radiator.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Assuming most of your driving will be in TN, a 160 t-stat will result in 170-180 engine temps. If you get into TX or the southwest deserts, it can easily hit the 210+ range.
The fan doesn't come on full until about 235 stock, but you can set other temps in the tune. In AZ we get more serious about cooling than the guys in MN.
The fan doesn't come on full until about 235 stock, but you can set other temps in the tune. In AZ we get more serious about cooling than the guys in MN.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I run the 180* stat in my LS3.
The 160 was a little cool for the Winter and while the 180* is a tad higher than I want it is closer to the temps I want to see.
I see 189-196 degrees for coolant temps depending on rpm. Oil runs high 200 teens up to say 225. With the 160 stat I was barely getting over 212 oil temps, after a long drive, and the coolant in the winter would be 170 ish. A little to cool I think for best wear.
Summer the 160 was fine. Too much trouble to switch out twice a year.
The 160 was a little cool for the Winter and while the 180* is a tad higher than I want it is closer to the temps I want to see.
I see 189-196 degrees for coolant temps depending on rpm. Oil runs high 200 teens up to say 225. With the 160 stat I was barely getting over 212 oil temps, after a long drive, and the coolant in the winter would be 170 ish. A little to cool I think for best wear.
Summer the 160 was fine. Too much trouble to switch out twice a year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Scott: If you want a 180,go to Summit Racing and get the Jet' high flow T-Stat.That is what i have in my 08 with a cam,Ar headers,K&N and a Dyno-tune.Do a 180 stat, not a 160.Have the tuner command the fan to come on at 30% at 195 & 70% at 203 degrees.Here in the Tx heat my coolant will run between 192 to 194 on the freeway.In town it will run around 198 sometimes if stopped at a red lite it will go up to 203 then the fan comes on at 70% and it goes down.I've been told by engine builders that the (Sweet Point) for engine heat is 195 to 200 degrees??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
I run the 180* stat in my LS3.
The 160 was a little cool for the Winter and while the 180* is a tad higher than I want it is closer to the temps I want to see.
I see 189-196 degrees for coolant temps depending on rpm. Oil runs high 200 teens up to say 225. With the 160 stat I was barely getting over 212 oil temps, after a long drive, and the coolant in the winter would be 170 ish. A little to cool I think for best wear.
Summer the 160 was fine. Too much trouble to switch out twice a year.
The 160 was a little cool for the Winter and while the 180* is a tad higher than I want it is closer to the temps I want to see.
I see 189-196 degrees for coolant temps depending on rpm. Oil runs high 200 teens up to say 225. With the 160 stat I was barely getting over 212 oil temps, after a long drive, and the coolant in the winter would be 170 ish. A little to cool I think for best wear.
Summer the 160 was fine. Too much trouble to switch out twice a year.
170 your oil is to COLD..Not Good!..Throw that 160 in the trash...........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
The thermostat is approx 192-194 and it will not run much lower than that without a thermostat change.
You can change the fans...again the thermostat is going to limit it.
With a 160 and a fan change you can help bring it down a bit but remember total heat cap. will not change without a bigger radiator.
You can change the fans...again the thermostat is going to limit it.
With a 160 and a fan change you can help bring it down a bit but remember total heat cap. will not change without a bigger radiator.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Scott: If you want a 180,go to Summit Racing and get the Jet' high flow T-Stat.That is what i have in my 08 with a cam,Ar headers,K&N and a Dyno-tune.Do a 180 stat, not a 160.Have the tuner command the fan to come on at 30% at 195 & 70% at 203 degrees.Here in the Tx heat my coolant will run between 192 to 194 on the freeway.In town it will run around 198 sometimes if stopped at a red lite it will go up to 203 then the fan comes on at 70% and it goes down.I've been told by engine builders that the (Sweet Point) for engine heat is 195 to 200 degrees??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
To late now Scott,You can get a 187 Stant at all of the auto parts stores.A very good shop did my mods & tune and they only recommend a 180....take care........
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
Just do it (160) "if" your going to change the stat.
I went from stock to 160 and glad "I" did; IMO any other temp in between the two is just a waist of time/money.
* I found that the 160 warmed up "dam near" as fast as the stocker (no dash light due to slow and/or to low of a coolant temp).
* With the car moving the temp rises to 178/180* and stays there if cruising.
* Yes, with stock programing the temps will rise to the stock temp setting if sitting still or in slow moving traffic but even with the stock settings at a cruise your car will run around 180 degrees. The 160 stat in a stocker will not go below 178/182 degrees summer or winter up north here at a light steady cruise.
*If you run it hard it will get hotter than 180 even with the "fan" set to come on at a higher % rate on the first step, etc. but it will still keep it cooler than the stocker.
* I have seen my oil temps go to 212 plus degrees on hot days or running it hard so low oil temps are not a concern for me with my wet sump oil pan.
PS: From the specs I have seen if the coolant temp gets to 212* your engine/ecm will pull timing; 1 to 3 degrees depending on air flow and up from there.
* I found that the 160 warmed up "dam near" as fast as the stocker (no dash light due to slow and/or to low of a coolant temp).
* With the car moving the temp rises to 178/180* and stays there if cruising.
* Yes, with stock programing the temps will rise to the stock temp setting if sitting still or in slow moving traffic but even with the stock settings at a cruise your car will run around 180 degrees. The 160 stat in a stocker will not go below 178/182 degrees summer or winter up north here at a light steady cruise.
*If you run it hard it will get hotter than 180 even with the "fan" set to come on at a higher % rate on the first step, etc. but it will still keep it cooler than the stocker.
* I have seen my oil temps go to 212 plus degrees on hot days or running it hard so low oil temps are not a concern for me with my wet sump oil pan.
PS: From the specs I have seen if the coolant temp gets to 212* your engine/ecm will pull timing; 1 to 3 degrees depending on air flow and up from there.
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; May 4, 2014 at 10:28 AM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Not to late. I haven't had it installed. I will look at the summit 180. I only saw a 160 on their site. I want to do what is best not just whatever is out there. Thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
I went from stock to 160 and glad "I" did; IMO any other temp in between the two is just a waist of time/money.
* I found that the 160 warmed up "dam near" as fast as the stocker (no dash light due to slow and/or to low of a coolant temp).
* With the car moving the temp rises to 178/180* and stays there if cruising.
* Yes, with stock programing the temps will rise to the stock temp setting if sitting still or in slow moving traffic but even with the stock settings at a cruise your car will run around 180 degrees. The 160 stat in a stocker will not go below 178/182 degrees summer or winter up north here at a light steady cruise.
*If you run it hard it will get hotter than 180 even with the "fan" set to come on at a higher % rate on the first step, etc. but it will still keep it cooler than the stocker.
* I have seen my oil temps go to 212 plus degrees on hot days or running it hard so low oil temps are not a concern for me with my wet sump oil pan.
PS: From the specs I have seen if the coolant temp gets to 212* your engine will pull timing; 1 to 3 degrees depending on air flow and up from there.
* I found that the 160 warmed up "dam near" as fast as the stocker (no dash light due to slow and/or to low of a coolant temp).
* With the car moving the temp rises to 178/180* and stays there if cruising.
* Yes, with stock programing the temps will rise to the stock temp setting if sitting still or in slow moving traffic but even with the stock settings at a cruise your car will run around 180 degrees. The 160 stat in a stocker will not go below 178/182 degrees summer or winter up north here at a light steady cruise.
*If you run it hard it will get hotter than 180 even with the "fan" set to come on at a higher % rate on the first step, etc. but it will still keep it cooler than the stocker.
* I have seen my oil temps go to 212 plus degrees on hot days or running it hard so low oil temps are not a concern for me with my wet sump oil pan.
PS: From the specs I have seen if the coolant temp gets to 212* your engine will pull timing; 1 to 3 degrees depending on air flow and up from there.