2016 z51 3lt runs at 186 degrees at 55 mph . Air temp , 75 degrees , Oil temp also 186 . Mods are heat shield on drivers side primary cat , Z06 grille , Corsa cat delete mid pipe , GM # 84152141 cleaner kit , and a Katech ported throttle body . What happens is in city stop and go traffic the temp starts to climb and very soon 200 degrees . I want to install a Mishimoto 160 degree thermostat . In our forum some have had success with this install others have had the ECM throw a code . I would like 170 to 180 degrees in all conditions . I know , LOL . I love Corvettes . With Respect , dk. Suggestions ?

 

160 Stat will have zero effect in the situation described. The stat will be 100% open just like the OEM one is. And a 160 stat does nothing for performance despite what you might read here except in the case of drag racing where you are trying to mitigate the heat soak in the intake.

 

Thank you for your knowledge and expertise . dk

 

can you prove your statement? because I can prove that you are 100% incorrect, in fact I have several times on this forum.

OP I suggest doing a search instead of making a new thread, you won't get different answers and I don't suggest ever simply relying on the first and only response you get.....on any topic.
I will say without a tune you may get a CEL, but if you mod your car in any way its best to calibrate the computer accordingly.

 

Well, I am a Mechanical Engineer whose specialty is thermodynamics and heat transfer - now that isn't proof of anything but the logic is simple. Once the Stat is wide open it no longer modulates the temperature of the coolant. At that point coolant temperature is controlled by the heat flow into the coolant from heat sources (combustion, engine braking, heat transfer from the oil conducted through the block, etc) and the heat flow out of the the system via the radiator, radiation to the environment and convective losses to air flowing around the system.

Now you are disputing my conclusion and claim to have proof. Proof of what - if you have proof of a quicker 0-60 or 1/4 mile time I am not refuting that potential. Allowing the stat to stay 100% open longer will allow the engine to reduce in temperature between runs allowing the heat soaked into the intake to be reduced - this ultimately leads to a denser air charge entering the combustion chamber which is accompanied by more fuel = more power. On a road course or canyon run when the engine is above the temperature at which the stat is 100% open it make no difference whatsoever.

Your second last point is 100% correct - a lot of forum members are not as knowledgeable as they may sound. You can trust guys like Bill Dearborn who always provides good info but others - buyer beware!

 

Installing a 160* T-stat and reprogramming the fan duty cycle will start the cooling process sooner which will help keep the average engine coolant temps lower. However, once any T-stat is fully opened, ECT's will depend on radiator capacity and air flow through the radiator for cooling.

 

So I will rephrase now that you also have. The 160 is fully open 20 degrees before the stock thermostat begins to open. As a result the 160 stat will have complete effect in the situation described, which was street driving. Hundreds of cars running around out there can confirm their street oriented temps going from 210-220 down to 175 give or take, mine included on 4 separate corvettes (among other vehicles).

Since you clarified your statement to meaning the overall efficiency of the cooling system is what matters at the limit of heat dissipation you are correct and I agree and have stated so many times. But that is not what your post that I responded to said at all. By the way, there is no mitigating heat soak in the intake through coolant temps (if you meant intake manifold....) but maybe you meant something else.

Aside from pure coolant temp and heat reduction measures, there is also the ECM and what it does based on coolant temps, primarily spark reduction and on a Z06 1 or 2 degrees is a lot of power, not to mention 5 or 10, which it is not ashamed to remove in stock form.

 

Many different replies & since many have specific items that they have experienced, I'll provide my experience which does include time as Engine Cooling Test & Development Engineer at Chevrolet in a previous life.

1. In general thermostat opening temperature will not affect steady state final temperature, however, it will revise the timing shape of the temperature curve. Many writers may not be experiencing steady state temperature as fairly difficult to do on the street. Much easier in a wind tunnel with controlled environment. If you are running 50/50 glycol mix with pressure, the boiling point is around 258F. Does change with mixture & pressure.

2. I would not have a concern with 200F coolant temperature - I am more concerned with oil temperature both on warm-up & high temperature. Was not discussed here, however, if vehicle does not have an oil temp gauge I drive a minimum of 5 miles before heavier throttle inputs. If you watch tach red line change on cold start & drive away, my 2016 takes about 5 miles & the oil temp is moving north of 120F.

Good luck to all.

 

I agree, cold coolant and hot oil are ideal.

 

My 2015 SC stock tstat car always settles to just below ECT and EOT in traffic. And it is currently 105 in Texas. It's perfectly normal. Track driving hard it never reaches steady state.