2019 Stingray model. Question is: do I need to drain some coolant from the system (bottom radiator petcock), before removing the thermostat housing? If so, how much? The reason I ask is that doing this job on my C2 I needed to drain quite a bit - maybe about 2 quarts - or end up with a real mess with coolant on the front of the engine.

 

If you don't drain some out, you will get some spillage ..... it's pretty simple to do, I drained about half out. only spillage I got was what was still in the hose, not much.

To fill, it was pretty easy, you don't have to worry about air trapped like you did with the LS3.

I used a large funnel, so I did not make a mess a mess, you just fill up the overflow tank to about an inch from the top, Start the car with the cap off the overflow and let car heat up then rev it to about 2 grand , it will quickly suck in the Anti-freeze , I did this a few times and when it did not take any more , I then put cap on and took the car for a short drive. when I returned home and after a short cool down, I was able to pour in the rest plus some that I spilled)

Whatever you do make sure you are using an OEM thermostat if you are staying with the same temp, if you are dropping down in temp only use the Katech 174 thermostat, they use an OEM thermostat body and a lower temp " bulb" and are hand assembled , thats why they are a bit expensive the other junk like Mishimoto will fail ... and the aftermarket crap will fail open . Also, the Katech will NOT require ECM reprograming like a 160 will ...........

Good Luck

Dave

 

Thanks Dave.

 

Just get the ACDelco OEM thermostat. 194* temp. You can read on this forum MANY temp issues using the wrong temp thermostat.

15-11113 On Amazon for $75.

I have to ask,,,, why are you replacing the thermostat?

 

You are correct, especially with the 160-degree thermostats, there is really no benefit to going that cold,

But there is a case for the when you use the Katech 174-degree thermostat ..... Most of us that have a blower on their car chose to use a lower temp thermostat and different fans settings especially if you have a Roots type blower that is on a ZO6 which when stock will overheat and go into low power mode if you are beating it hard!

Even in the wintertime my car will warm up fast enough to turn off the YELLOW cold indicator, but the real benefit is in the heat of the summer as it hardly ever exceeds 190 in normal driving and even after I beat down on it, I only see maybe 217, and then it cools down instantly after I stop beating on it
Dave

 

True,,, but most people do not have a Roots blower and a Z06..... these thermostats are just for normal cars.

 

True, but you are making an assumption that he does not have a blower car as he has not responded as to why he is replacing his thermostat ... is it because his OEM just stuck ? Is it because he feels the need to run a 160 like the old days, or does he have a blower car that has went into Soft Fail mode due to overheating

I was just giving the OP or anyone else who reads the thread the option to use the Katech 174 (if they should have a blower car) and the reasons why NOT to use the other brands ........

Dave

 

Thanks for the info, Dave.

 

On a cool day the engine temp. takes a long time to warm up. Even then, after 15 minutes of driving it may only read about 175 deg. I know this is not "normal", and can't be too good for the engine.

 

It sounds like either your OEM is stuck open or somebody replaced the OEM with a 160 . You are correct , it is not "Good" for the motor to run this cold . Stock motors are designed to run hotter ( clearances )

Dave

 

You get about half a cup of coolant if you don't drain any. I never do. I just put a towel under it.

Takes 15-20 minutes to change.