Katech_Zach

We started using one brand of thermostats and they were failing open, causing check engine lights. We switched to another brand of thermostat which then had multiple failures closed, causing overheating problems and an engine failure on the track. So, we made our own thermostat using OEM quality components so they will not fail. Rigorous development and quality testing was done to ensure a reliable product.


https://store.katechengines.com/160-...stat-p681.aspx

Mikec7z

170 seems to be the magic number. Curious why its always 160 180 or 200, instead of setting at 170 -175 to avoid CEL on stock tune cars? The 160's throw codes because the cars never get past 170 in certain driving conditions.

If you guys make a 170 that does not fail, i believe it will sell like hotcakes to the 95 percenter's who still have the stock tune.

The majority of those with aftermarket tunes who needed and could use a 160, already installed the reliable mishimoto. Its the existing 170-190's that are junk, and thats what all the stock tune people are frustrated with.

170 is where your market is i believe.

Corvette4ever

Nice one Katech, wish this was available earlier

My 160 deg Mishimoto failed within 6K miles. Go figure

Bob U

Sounds good. Do you make a 174?

Mikec7z

Good info to know, i dont own one yet, just know its better than the others that are even worse. I assume katech's 160 is better than mishimoto's then

im still hunting for a reliable 170's stat

MCK_Z06

A 160 thermostat will run @ about 170-175 degrees under normal operating conditions when warmed up.
EDIT: I forgot to add that if your fans kick in too soon or too high you will have issues hitting 170 in cold/cool weather.

Mikec7z

I have heard several people over the years here on the forum state that the 160 stat causes their CEL to throw... with the stock tune.

Stock tunes, fans don't come until higher temp, but the CEL still throws.

cdh027

This man speaks the truth. Make one and I'll get in the long line to buy it.

MCK_Z06

Not sure how people are getting away with running a 160 t-stat without throwing codes on a stock tune.
It seems like you should modify the ecu settings for mechanical stat temp, desired temps and scale the fan correctly, etc. to get the desired results and keep everything happy.
I was making the assumption that there some software adjustments happening with this t-stat install.

Jason will probably clarify for us all..

Mikec7z

correct, this is for the 5 percent who tune their cars. There are 80,000 automatic c7 currently on planet earth, if even 10 percent of the remaining 95% cars had an option to put in a different stat and they would not throw a CEL and also run a bit cooler, i bet a lot of people would pull the trigger. That would be about 8000 cars if 10% of the 95% pulled the trigger..

Above i said the 160 does throw the CEL. You seemed to be telling me you were confused by my above statements, you and I are in agreement.

Katech_Zach

Not currently, but if there is enough demand we could make one. Is 174 the magic number for no tuning?

8850

What's the magic number for most power on the drag strip?

Bob U

yes, that’s the best number for a untuned car.

Katech_Zach

A 174F thermostat is in the works and a pre-order is available on our website:




https://store.katechengines.com/174-...stat-p729.aspx

cdh027

I'm glad you guys stepped up. These should sell very well. Added myself to the notify list.

Mikec7z

Very cool, thank you for helping us all out

db2xpert

order placed

X25

Just ordered one as well; thanks for making the 174 thermostat : ) I have no intention whatsoever to get a tune, so this is great,

Pacembellum

I’ve been running the 174 for 3 months, has been great.

6Speeder

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.