Thermostat Setting
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 220
Likes: 35
From: NH
Thermostat Setting
The previous owner must have replaced the OEM thermostat with a 165F, is there any realbenefit or concernsat running a lower engine temperature on an everyday driver?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,147
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
The main disadvantage is that the oil may not burn off any moisture that gets in. Other than that the multi weight oil should take care of any other issues.
At a lower temperature the heater output may not be sufficient in colder climates. I run a 160 in the summer and a 180 in the winter on my 71, 350.
With you location and the cold weather I would switch to a 180 stat for the winter, I would suggest a GM gasket with the silicone ring built in, not a felt-pro flat gasket as they tend to leak more easily.
Performance tuning tends to go with a lower stat to richen up the mixture ( the computer sees a lower engine temp and richens the mix) and maybe produce more power.
At a lower temperature the heater output may not be sufficient in colder climates. I run a 160 in the summer and a 180 in the winter on my 71, 350.
With you location and the cold weather I would switch to a 180 stat for the winter, I would suggest a GM gasket with the silicone ring built in, not a felt-pro flat gasket as they tend to leak more easily.
Performance tuning tends to go with a lower stat to richen up the mixture ( the computer sees a lower engine temp and richens the mix) and maybe produce more power.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Nov 22, 2018 at 09:50 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
Performance tuning with a lower T-stat, along with fan adjustment is used to reduce coolant temps so a little more timing may be added. Reducing coolant temps will help to prevent detonation and the ECM from pulling timing by keep engine coolant temps below 212F*. Once engine coolant reaches 212*F+, the ECM starts to pull timing.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Nov 23, 2018 at 01:37 PM.
