C6 LS3 Auto Thermostat advice
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Joined: Apr 2020
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From: San Diego, CA
C6 LS3 Auto Thermostat advice
I'd like to get input/advice on if I should change the stock Thermostat (195°?) to a lower temp Thermostat (160°?), and will this help performance in any way? If so, which one is the best, and where do buy it? Is it an easy DIY?
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
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From: San Diego, CA
If running the stock fan settings, this will only slightly delay the coolant temp rise, and you'll use more fuel until it gets to the same coolant temps you're seeing now. I've run a 160° stat for many years. However, I have changed the fan settings, and am running a DeWitts radiator. I'm going to swap out the 160° stat soon, to a 174° LPE stat. Why? Because I'm using a lot of fuel until the coolant gets up to operating temp. A thermostat controls only the minimum temps, not the maximum temps. I might run a degree, or two warmer, but I'll get there sooner, which I think is a good thing for the entire engine. My .02.......
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I was not leaning toward a 160 thermostat, but it comes with the Katech Stage II I had installed. I figured if the people that built championship racing engines for Corvette Racing decided it was a good thing, I wasn't going to question it. Whether it hurts or helps, I can't tell you - but I know my LS3 is a monster that drives better than stock with an extra 100 hp to the wheels.
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The t stat will lower the engine temps about 10* when not on the motor crusing since it will start to open up at a lower temp, but when on the motor, temps are going to be back to normal higher temps isntead.
Hence to lower and hold the motor temp lower when on the throttle, really need to improve the radiator and fan system, and not just try to over clock the OEM fan to come on sooner to burn it and the PWM out instead. Hence even with the lower T stat in the car, by the third dyno pull if back to back in a few mins, the motor is already back to its normal higher working temps.
As for running a 160 T stat, not where you are going to be driving the car in close to freezing temps. The T start will start to open too low in temp, and it can freeze shock the motor parts (metal contracts when it gets cold, and one of the reason that you really don't want to get on the motor hard until the oil temp has come up to 175*).
Hence to lower and hold the motor temp lower when on the throttle, really need to improve the radiator and fan system, and not just try to over clock the OEM fan to come on sooner to burn it and the PWM out instead. Hence even with the lower T stat in the car, by the third dyno pull if back to back in a few mins, the motor is already back to its normal higher working temps.
As for running a 160 T stat, not where you are going to be driving the car in close to freezing temps. The T start will start to open too low in temp, and it can freeze shock the motor parts (metal contracts when it gets cold, and one of the reason that you really don't want to get on the motor hard until the oil temp has come up to 175*).