Thermostat Operating Range
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 56
From: Clarence N.Y.
Thermostat Operating Range
Looking for some advise on a thermostat for my 08 LS3.
It was dyno'ed last year,but everything is stock. This winter
I replaced the ignition wires and plugs,had the throttle body
ported,and installed a Airaid cai.
On the first time out this year it does seem stronger. Thinking
of redoing the dyno,is it worth it? And is it worth renewing the
stat to 160 degree before the dyno?
Thanks
It was dyno'ed last year,but everything is stock. This winter
I replaced the ignition wires and plugs,had the throttle body
ported,and installed a Airaid cai.
On the first time out this year it does seem stronger. Thinking
of redoing the dyno,is it worth it? And is it worth renewing the
stat to 160 degree before the dyno?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Looking for some advise on a thermostat for my 08 LS3.
It was dyno'ed last year,but everything is stock. This winter
I replaced the ignition wires and plugs,had the throttle body
ported,and installed a Airaid cai.
On the first time out this year it does seem stronger. Thinking
of redoing the dyno,is it worth it? And is it worth renewing the
stat to 160 degree before the dyno?
Thanks
It was dyno'ed last year,but everything is stock. This winter
I replaced the ignition wires and plugs,had the throttle body
ported,and installed a Airaid cai.
On the first time out this year it does seem stronger. Thinking
of redoing the dyno,is it worth it? And is it worth renewing the
stat to 160 degree before the dyno?
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
Ls engines like to make more power when running cool so yes for the lower temps termostad you may want to port the intake manifold as well if you desire to feel another power increase then tune it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 194
From: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
The. 160 stat works best where it's hot. It gives the cooling system a little head start in the hot weather going stop light to stop light. At highway speeds it lowers the water temp 10 or so degrees at least.
If you are doing it to gain hp by running it cooler I don't think it will show up on a dyno. If everything is hot.
Robin
If you are doing it to gain hp by running it cooler I don't think it will show up on a dyno. If everything is hot.
Robin
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 14
From: Houston TX
I've run anywhere between 200* and 215* in normal stop and go traffic but the weather hasn't hit high temps so I'm concerned about what will happen as we approach summer. When cruising, everything runs at 192 to 196. It's just sitting at stoplights and traffic jams I'm worried about.
I have a diablosport iTune, if anyone has any suggestions on fan speeds I can make changes and report back. I'm going into this blindly so I don't know where to start. Searching brought up some conflicting info.
Last edited by 09_BSM_Z51; Mar 17, 2016 at 03:58 PM. Reason: Missing info
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 14
From: Houston TX
Here is about the most recent thread regarding the subject.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-settings.html
When I get the stat installed I will modify my fan settings to the first setup mentioned in the above thread. My vararam install is what has made my car run a bit hotter in traffic, I'm hoping the 160* tstat and fan setting changes will get it to run cooler in all situations.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-settings.html
When I get the stat installed I will modify my fan settings to the first setup mentioned in the above thread. My vararam install is what has made my car run a bit hotter in traffic, I'm hoping the 160* tstat and fan setting changes will get it to run cooler in all situations.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
The. 160 stat works best where it's hot. It gives the cooling system a little head start in the hot weather going stop light to stop light. At highway speeds it lowers the water temp 10 or so degrees at least.
If you are doing it to gain hp by running it cooler I don't think it will show up on a dyno. If everything is hot.
Robin
If you are doing it to gain hp by running it cooler I don't think it will show up on a dyno. If everything is hot.
Robin
NSF
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 234
From: Colorado
Once the car is up to operating temperature on a warm day or in traffic, it makes little difference when the t-stat opened. Conversely, opening too soon on a cold day is not a good idea. I adjusted the fans with my Intune up ~ 10% at every level. This is the best way to keep the car running cooler. The thermostat is irrelevant in traffic or on warm days. Once it's open, it's open.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Once the car is up to operating temperature on a warm day or in traffic, it makes little difference when the t-stat opened. Conversely, opening too soon on a cold day is not a good idea. I adjusted the fans with my Intune up ~ 10% at every level. This is the best way to keep the car running cooler. The thermostat is irrelevant in traffic or on warm days. Once it's open, it's open.
The question of what is the correct operating temperature, depends on what you are trying to accomplish. It's different for power, emissions, and economy.
There are several parts to the cooling system, but the t-stat's only function is merely to acquire and maintain a low limit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
Air pockets...
One problem we have with the LS engines is air pockets lodged in the aft parts of the heads these pockets of trap air have no chance of getting out ones trapped.
The problem starts ones we drain and refill the cooling system.
This past week I installed a rear steam pipe in a c6 and after replacing the coolant drained two quarts of coolant was added though the coolant was full before, this same car was running 197 to 205 degrees in average temperature days with a 160 degrees stat and Griffin radiator after stem pipes temps came down to 182 to 195 .
Many have lost their 7 and 8 cylinders as a result of above condition due to heat.
No I don't sell these nor is a commercial I just found these are sweet when used with a 1/4 inch fuel hose don't even need to install hose clamps.
The rear steam pipes are the same front part carefully bent to fit in the rear with the hose connecting pipe some what angle up to facilitate air to flow out.
Use 1/4 inch Y barb hose fittings to connect to front steam pipes then to radiator feed hose see link below.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/151348005197?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
The problem starts ones we drain and refill the cooling system.
This past week I installed a rear steam pipe in a c6 and after replacing the coolant drained two quarts of coolant was added though the coolant was full before, this same car was running 197 to 205 degrees in average temperature days with a 160 degrees stat and Griffin radiator after stem pipes temps came down to 182 to 195 .
Many have lost their 7 and 8 cylinders as a result of above condition due to heat.
No I don't sell these nor is a commercial I just found these are sweet when used with a 1/4 inch fuel hose don't even need to install hose clamps.
The rear steam pipes are the same front part carefully bent to fit in the rear with the hose connecting pipe some what angle up to facilitate air to flow out.
Use 1/4 inch Y barb hose fittings to connect to front steam pipes then to radiator feed hose see link below.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/151348005197?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
Once the car is up to operating temperature on a warm day or in traffic, it makes little difference when the t-stat opened. Conversely, opening too soon on a cold day is not a good idea. I adjusted the fans with my Intune up ~ 10% at every level. This is the best way to keep the car running cooler. The thermostat is irrelevant in traffic or on warm days. Once it's open, it's open.
NSF
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 234
From: Colorado
Yeah, but your thermostat opens pretty quickly even if stock in the AZ heat. Normal driving here in CO on a mild day, my temp is ~190. On a warm day, in city traffic--not stop and go, the early fans rarely let it go over 200. I think the highest I've seen is 205-208 when sitting at a light for a while on a hot day with the A/C on. And once underway, the temp drops quickly. I think the highest temp I've ever seen on a car in traffic was ~230 in summer stop and go in downtown Boston with my '74 455 T/A. Those old big blocks ran hot as hell even with no t-stat.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 14
From: Houston TX
Here is about the most recent thread regarding the subject.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-settings.html
When I get the stat installed I will modify my fan settings to the first setup mentioned in the above thread. My vararam install is what has made my car run a bit hotter in traffic, I'm hoping the 160* tstat and fan setting changes will get it to run cooler in all situations.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-settings.html
When I get the stat installed I will modify my fan settings to the first setup mentioned in the above thread. My vararam install is what has made my car run a bit hotter in traffic, I'm hoping the 160* tstat and fan setting changes will get it to run cooler in all situations.
Oh, here is the settings I used.
92 degree= 25%
196 degree= 50%
199 degree= 75%
203 degree= 90%
etc. degree= 90%
Last edited by 09_BSM_Z51; Mar 22, 2016 at 04:34 PM. Reason: Forgot to add tables
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 14
From: Houston TX
Even stock due to summer heat, AC blasting, and traffic here the fans are on all the time. I'm going to pay close attention, I may make some changes if I feel the fans are running excessively. If I'm on the freeway, which is where I do 75% of my driving, the fans will be fine and won't have to be on all the time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
Yeah, but your thermostat opens pretty quickly even if stock in the AZ heat. Normal driving here in CO on a mild day, my temp is ~190. On a warm day, in city traffic--not stop and go, the early fans rarely let it go over 200. I think the highest I've seen is 205-208 when sitting at a light for a while on a hot day with the A/C on. And once underway, the temp drops quickly. I think the highest temp I've ever seen on a car in traffic was ~230 in summer stop and go in downtown Boston with my '74 455 T/A. Those old big blocks ran hot as hell even with no t-stat.
NSF