Punisher GTO

Should someone with my mods (big metal intake btw) go with a 160 degree thermostat or keep the stocker

(with my tune the fans come on much earlier)

I was wanting to change something on the car this weekend (got the bug) and I've always noticed a ton of guys running 160 thermostats, so I figured I might give it a try.

But I'm also wanting to see what everyone else thinks

I've done so many searches and read so much junk on the pros and cons I can't make heads or tails on the subject

so I'm looking for yalls thoughts

SSnut2K

i have the 160, no problems. all mods in sig...

AFASTYZFR1

iTrader: (55)

I run a 160.......no problems here

teke184

iTrader: (5)

alot of guys claim the 160 keeps the engine from running at a high enough temp to get the oil up to its operating temperature.

but i know from watching my scanning software that when driving and sitting with the fan switch on HI, my coolant temps never get below about 173* while running my 160 stat.

i think its worth the effort to keep the engine a bit cooler.

Strahley

iTrader: (4)

Had one on mine for several years, no problems

DaveX

I have a 160, but I can't honestly say weather or not there is any benefit to doing it. I've read both ways on it but it's not something I've seen any real data to prove one way or the other. On a hot day my car typically runs 190 or so anyway.

up2nuthingud

iTrader: (18)

i agree with davex. same thing here.

allbaugh_04

iTrader: (6)

I've heard there is benefit and there isn't...i have no problems with the stock one...not changing it

BlueBird346

iTrader: (13)

My tuner said i should get a 180.

89IROC

iTrader: (2)

its kinda pointless remember the thermostats job is to force the engine to get hot not cool it off.

s346k

iTrader: (4)

i think the stock one is fine, i would leave it alone. wasted money and effort. i added a 160 t-stat to my bolt-on car and noticed nothing in terms of performance.

the factory ls1 waterpump/radiator/fan setup has no problems cooling anything, almost regardless of setup. if the car gets hot, the t-stat won't cure, but only delay the problem.

HWI

iTrader: (2)

I run a 160*, but if I lived in an area that gets cold I would stick with a 180* so you don't get stuck in the cold loop.

teke184

iTrader: (5)

i guess i've never really looked at the stat as a perrformance thing, at least nothing that you'd ever FEEL.

but seeing the coolant temps running a little lower in hot weather is always a nice thing.

as long as the stat is working, the car should never get "stuick in the cold loop" since it would just close untill temps got warm again, and cycle open/closed to maintain that temp.

i ran a 160 stat in my old TPI engine, and a few trips home over Xmas in 0-10deg weather it still ran right aroun 170-175deg...it just took longer to warm up.

same thing with my LS1....fan switch on HI it won't pull the ECT below about 173.

not sure what it does now with my EWP....havn't checked.

b.lee

iTrader: (6)

160 here in Michigan for the last 3 years, no problems. (Summer DD)

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

What do you expect the 160 to do for you? That is
the real question.

If you are not dieseling or seeing crazy KR with the
fans running full blast, you do not need cooler
water. Anything short of this, you're probably seeing
airflow-limited, not water-limited, heat extraction
performance.

Efficiency is better with the stock "180".

Only crazy high compression (or boost) -might-
want cooler water.

I'd look to airflow in every respect (fan settings,
debris in the fins, core thickness) before worrying
about the water.

WeathermanShawn

iTrader: (1)

I also am not a fan of cooler thermostats in a LS1. Like everyone else it is just an opinion, but one I have tried to educate myself on.

As a tech community we need more reliable dyno/track data to confirm what optimum coolant temperatures an engine desires for power and longevity. It still seems to make more sense that you want your engine/oil temperature high enough for complete and efficient combustion, and your intake temperature as close to ambient temperature as possible.

Jimmyblue has done a lot of work on this subject. Just looking at the VE of an engine, ECT plays a greater role at idle and IAT as your speed increases.

I am more of a believer of controlling that process via the fans. Just sitting for two minutes in very warm IAT's will do more to affect your engines ability to process airflow, than ECT.

Again, it is opinion. I run a 180F thermostat (190-198F fully opened), and use the fans to keep the ECT as flat as possible at idle.

Have fun deciding. It always seems like such a minor issue for power, but one that always seems to conjure up a lot of discussion.

..WeathermanShawn..

Damian

iTrader: (89)

I've been using a 160 stat in every car I've built since 1999, with no problems.

disc0monkey

iTrader: (10)

i will dig this post up to ask how many of you with a 160* stat know you sustaining 160* 98% of the time? I have played around with this and I know goin up hills or heavy accel should have minimal effect in temperature. This unsustained temperature is NOT good for a engine. I know my car isn't happy at 160* as it won't hold this temperature in NJ climate. These people which are in hot climate especially should not be using a lower ECT because I am pretty sure the engine will not be holding this temperature. I feel a 175* for a NJ climate or 180-185* max for hotter climates is what a LS1 can sustain. just my .02

hotter climate should have a hotter thermostat.

jlrz28

iTrader: (7)

With the 160 thermostat it will never hold even in the mild winters in Houston. I understand the dealings with the oil temp, but I have had mine for over 100k miles and never had a problem with it.

DarkJuggalo

iTrader: (6)

well i put in the 160 therm when i was in RI/CT, the car loved it. now im in NC car still loves it. i have had 0 issues with 160 t stat and very happy i did it. car used to run a lil on the hot side now its perfect