New Katech 160 degree thermostats for LT engines with OEM quality
10-09-2019, 10:55 PM
#21
Instructor
The issue with the 160 is not that it doesn't get above 170, but that IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS it doesn't get high enough, FAST enough. The ECM expects the coolant to rise quicker than a 160 will allow, but only if you take the car out cold and immediately run it at speeds where airflow keeps it cold. The coolant undertemp code has only happened to me when I took a cold-soaked car immediately onto the freeway. If I run it on city streets it NEVER happens. Again, it's the time to get to temp that the ECM doesn't like, not the steady state temp allowed by the thermostat. This has been a bug with using a 160 thermostat on all Vettes since the C5, and is well understood. Don't take a cold-soaked car right up to higher speeds with a 160 and there's no problem.
Steady state temps, even in the 160's won't throw the coolant undertemp code.
If you do get the code, just reset it with a code reader or turn off that code in an aftermarket tune. No biggie.
Steady state temps, even in the 160's won't throw the coolant undertemp code.
If you do get the code, just reset it with a code reader or turn off that code in an aftermarket tune. No biggie.
I’ve been running the Katech 160 for a few months now. No problems, as expected.
10-09-2019, 11:02 PM
#22
Sr.Random input generator
Yes, yes, good for you. Me and many others would like to keep the tune stock, though, so 174 it is : )
01-16-2020, 10:55 AM
#24
Burning Brakes
01-16-2020, 11:04 AM
#25
Pro
Thanks for the reply jstewart.
I wanted to run Katech's 174F thermostat to give me a bit of extra headroom at the road course so that the OEM tune does not pull timing. However, since I drive the car in winter (I don't plan to drive it if it's too cold but might need to take it to get work done etc) I didn't want to prevent engine from warming up to operating temperature then. How easy is it to swap the thermostat? I could just try it and if I don't like it next winter go back to OEM...
I wanted to run Katech's 174F thermostat to give me a bit of extra headroom at the road course so that the OEM tune does not pull timing. However, since I drive the car in winter (I don't plan to drive it if it's too cold but might need to take it to get work done etc) I didn't want to prevent engine from warming up to operating temperature then. How easy is it to swap the thermostat? I could just try it and if I don't like it next winter go back to OEM...
Last edited by emperors61; 01-16-2020 at 11:04 AM.