seabirdak

How does a lower temperature thermostat keep the engine cooler, won't it produce just as much heat?

spy2520

iTrader: (3)

the thermostat opens earlier to let coolant flow through the radiator, it begins to let water into the radiator at 160* instead of 195* or whatever the stock T-stat is...the engine still produces the same heat, but the cooling system tries to dissipate the heat earlier instead of letting it get hot first....so it should run cooler...

lsx24

iTrader: (45)

dankinmydome

I have heard that by installing a 160 T-stat, the computer creates a leaner fuel-air ratio. Is this so? Are there any other possible side-effects to this mod?

Matt D

iTrader: (49)

Don't waste your money on it. Just tune it to have the fans come on sooner. LS1s run better at the full operating temperature.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

******' I still have the stockers in both camaros.

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

these cars are designed to run on a hotter temp. basis.....throwing a stat in there really isnt a huge difference....most people dont realize that when your driving he heat gets sucked out from around the engine anyways...driving down the highway, in the summer, in florida....my car was running at 186 degrees....even though my temp gauge said more.....i had efi live hooked up....

Black02LS1

iTrader: (5)

I put a 160 T-stat in my car and tried to tune the fans to come on sooner with my Hypertech tuner but the temp guage still sits at the same spot around 200. Are my fans really coming on sooner? or is my tuner a POS? But my tuner still works for ajusting the rev limiter and speedo...?

Matt D

iTrader: (49)

I assume you have a 99-02 F-body correct? The water temp guage is a dummy. It only shows if you overheat or not. Only way to check is with tuning software or an actual water temp guage.

Hell'sChariot

iTrader: (24)

Leave the stocker in there. Newer style engines were designed to run hotter than the older sbc.


Unless you have a 98, the temp gauge is a dummy gauge. Get an aftermarket gauge to get the correct temp.

00 Freak

iTrader: (34)

My **** didn't tell me when I was overheating. Fortunately I found out before my engine melted down.

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

If your motor is mostly stock I wouldnt bother with it.

If you motor is up there with the compression (at or other side of 11.5) I would invest in one.

ls1charged

iTrader: (8)

i put the 160* in and it made a big difference in cooling down the motor, especially having an iron block that holds in more heat then an alluminum one, i would recommend it.

warp_6

iTrader: (2)

If you install a 160 you will also need to adjust the fan temp. If you don't you won't notice a difference. My running temps have dropped on average 30 deg. per HP tuners. The gauge only shows a slight drop. I like the way my car runs with the 160.

FU_I_AM_UltraZ

iTrader: (20)

i opens up more frequent. i noticed a difference on my auto z28, but on my stick z28, it stays at 200 at all times. the auto would stay at 180s on cold night crusing, but never go pass 190. i've been told that the temp gauge is programmed to do that on the M6 cars... not sure how true that is:/ my stick car has the redline additive in the dex cool, slp radiator, and the 160 t-stat, and stays at a constant 200 degrees...

Muerte_X

iTrader: (1)

I tossed a 160º in mine when the stocker got stuck halfway open (temps were higher, but wasn't overheating), and adjusted the fans to come on earlier.

I know everyone says they don't make a difference, but my car performed noticeably better at the drag strip after. About 1-2 tenths better, consistantly.

IIRC, I thought the reason for the 190º thermostat was to help with emissions? Maybe I read wrong somewhere, but I thought that was the purpose.

lsx24

iTrader: (45)

I find it hard to believe an ls1 would make less power at ~170* than at ~200*, which would be the difference between stock and a 160* stat.

VHP had a page at one time that had some actual tech info, comparing the diffferent temperatures....if anyone still has that link.

I also don't buy that ls1s need to run hotter. 170* is still hot, it's not like it's making less burned fuel or anything. It's still burning fuel and air in the same manner at both engine temps. Logic dictates you take away any of that excess heat, and it will only run better.

thehammer69

iTrader: (2)

Ever consider running cooler in the past may have been a "crutch" for poor tuning and design? Take some classes in thermodynamics and your thinking may change a little...

Hammer

lsx24

iTrader: (45)

Are you saying the internal combustion is more efficient at 200* than at 170*? Why is this so? (you don't have to give a complete thermodynamics answer, the short layman version will do).

And what does poor tuning and design have to do with operating temperatures? To the point that a cooler engine somehow 'masks' errors in the design or tune?

And what's so special about the ls1, that it requires more heat than a regular engine? (If I understand correctly, this is the argument).

Please explain...

blue99SS

When my car warms up to full temp the fans come on FULL TIME. When I had it tuned I think he set it at 180, do you see any problem with them running all the time?