160degree thermostat question
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
160degree thermostat question
I'm a new owner. Just how beneficial is a 160degree thermostat on the LT4?
I've done the reading, so no speculation please, I'm looking for personal experience from those who have put one in their later C4. Thanks.
Larry
LT4coupe
:seeya
I've done the reading, so no speculation please, I'm looking for personal experience from those who have put one in their later C4. Thanks.
Larry
LT4coupe
:seeya
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Re: 160degree thermostat question (rocco16)
None. It's too low. There's more potential for crankcase condensation and the engine will make less power because it's throwing energy out the coolling system.
Engines, especially with major aluminum components - heads and blocks - run best with high jacket temperature and low inlet air temperature.
Duke
Engines, especially with major aluminum components - heads and blocks - run best with high jacket temperature and low inlet air temperature.
Duke
Instructor
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From: Allen TX
Re: 160degree thermostat question (rocco16)
I think that a large part of the benefit is due to reprogramming the cooling fans to come on at a reasonable temperature. I have had no problems in the 6 years I have had a 160 thermostat installed (in an LT1), other than the heater is a bit cooler.
The following URL has several dynos of various mods. The operating temperature difference seems to account for about 5hp.
http://www.ws6.com/mod-3.htm
See ya,
John
The following URL has several dynos of various mods. The operating temperature difference seems to account for about 5hp.
http://www.ws6.com/mod-3.htm
See ya,
John
Thread Starter
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: 160degree thermostat question (John W)
Thanks for the personal experience, John, and the link. Looks like just a 160degree 'stat might not suffice....that I'll need a chip to go with it, eh? It sounds like you have the chip as well?
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: 160degree thermostat question (rocco16)
Having the fans reprogrammed to come on sooner is going to help you more than just going to a 160. The LTs came with 180s from the factory, and do seem to make their power at a higher temperatures than the old SBCs.
But if you live in a place where it stays warm or gets outrageously hot during summer, then id definitely do it. On short trips your engine wont get time to get really hot because the stat opened sooner, on long trips though it wont do much of anything without a fan program.
But if you live in a place where it stays warm or gets outrageously hot during summer, then id definitely do it. On short trips your engine wont get time to get really hot because the stat opened sooner, on long trips though it wont do much of anything without a fan program.
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: 160degree thermostat question (rocco16)
Gas needs at least 185 degrees to vaporize properly plus engine wear is way up at 160 degrees compared to 190 degrees. Also nascar engines, like at daytona run 200 plus, even as high as 235 degrees.
Also qualifying engines, which I think is not allowed anymore run leaner then normal and a little higher temperature.
Lost heat is lost power. That is why a aluminum headed engine requires about a point more in compression to equal the same output as a cast iron head.
I use to run my engines cooler but not anymore. I like to see the gage at 190-195. My motor has less wear, gets better gas mileage and less chance of washing the cylinder walls.
Also cold engines are more prone to spinning bears then a properly warmed up engine.
Also qualifying engines, which I think is not allowed anymore run leaner then normal and a little higher temperature.
Lost heat is lost power. That is why a aluminum headed engine requires about a point more in compression to equal the same output as a cast iron head.
I use to run my engines cooler but not anymore. I like to see the gage at 190-195. My motor has less wear, gets better gas mileage and less chance of washing the cylinder walls.
Also cold engines are more prone to spinning bears then a properly warmed up engine.
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From: Allen TX
Re: 160degree thermostat question (rocco16)
Rocco,
You will need programming or at the very least some type of thermostatic switch to kick the fans on earlier.
Here is yet another link chock full of LTx cooling information.
http://www.theherd.com/articles/lt1_cool.html
You will need programming or at the very least some type of thermostatic switch to kick the fans on earlier.
Here is yet another link chock full of LTx cooling information.
http://www.theherd.com/articles/lt1_cool.html
