160 or 180
160 or 180 
08-14-2007, 09:45 AM
#5
As RrCoX22 stated, many debates.. but IMO....
The engine and its tune is really designed and setup to run at the higher temp's (195 to 212 as the normal operating range with the fans coming on at 227?). So running a lower Temp T-Stat will not be much good without the Fan set to work with the lower T-Stat temp. It will open up at 180.. and stay open until the engine drop below that temp, will take longer to warm up... but the PCM will think it is still warming up and if the engine is running in the 195+ range as it normal would (except for maybe at Highway speeds).. then it will run that hot anyway. If not doing any tuning or FAN mod, try no lower than a 180 Stat.
The PCM will try and make up the differences with the lower Temp but with the Fuel Tables setup for the higher temp, you many give up a bit of HP/TQ.
The engine and its tune is really designed and setup to run at the higher temp's (195 to 212 as the normal operating range with the fans coming on at 227?). So running a lower Temp T-Stat will not be much good without the Fan set to work with the lower T-Stat temp. It will open up at 180.. and stay open until the engine drop below that temp, will take longer to warm up... but the PCM will think it is still warming up and if the engine is running in the 195+ range as it normal would (except for maybe at Highway speeds).. then it will run that hot anyway. If not doing any tuning or FAN mod, try no lower than a 180 Stat.
The PCM will try and make up the differences with the lower Temp but with the Fuel Tables setup for the higher temp, you many give up a bit of HP/TQ.
08-14-2007, 01:35 PM
#7
Not as much, but it's just running your water pump more often. In my case, I just have my fans come on a little sooner. While I'm moving, the hottest my car ever gets is 194. The highest I've ever seen it go was while sitting in traffic on a 100+ degree day, and it only went to 204.
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08-14-2007, 01:47 PM
#11
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got a 160 in mine didn't hurt anything.99+ will not even show a change on the guage since their designed 2 show if the car overheats.98 LS1 will reflect the change.
08-14-2007, 04:12 PM
#14
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I haven't been running a T-stat in my TA since Feb. It wouldn't open after the H/C install so we pulled the housing back off and pryed the t-stat out and stuck the housing back on the pump. Hasn't given me any problems
08-14-2007, 05:14 PM
#15
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There is a big debate over the t-stat temps. You can do a search and read all about it. Basically the engine is designed to run at a temp to remove water from the oil.
I would do the 180.
I would do the 180.
08-14-2007, 05:18 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by PowerShift408
It can certainly hurt your gas mileage...
The only way it could hurt your gas mileage is if you were running too cold and causing you to jump between open and closed loop.
08-14-2007, 06:32 PM
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160 is crazy--they shouldn't sell them unless for a race car..180-stock for a engine that is not highly modded.Have asked 3 sponsors--same answer.
08-15-2007, 04:55 PM
#20
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See what the owners manual says under capacities and specifications. Or just pull it and see what it is, might have already been changed. My manual says 180/82 but was stamped 86.