dark ws6

I rencently got mail tune for my car that included the fans to start at 160 degrees. After I got the tune done to the PCM, I put in the new 160 degrees thremostat that I bougth from speedinc.com(speedinc brand) After I installed and got the car working I notice that the temperature gauge still reads alittle under 210 degrees, this is the same temperature that I was running before with the stock thermostat. Is there something wrong here? Or maybe I got another stock thermostat? since I refill the whole system with antifreeze do I need to check for air bubbles on the system? Thanks in advance!

mchdg86

iTrader: (3)

Unless you have a 98 I wouldn't worry about it. For some reason GM decided to make the temp gauges in the 99-02 f-bodys a dummy gauge. 98 is the only year that it was functional for the ls1 cars.

dark ws6

I have a 2000 T/A

DCsLS1

yea these gauges arent acurate i have a 160 thermo and one of my pod gauges is a water temp, it doesnt matter if that gauge says 160 or 200 the factory gauge stays in the same spot dont worry about it

Z28SteveA4

iTrader: (16)

it could be the gauge but what was the gauge showing before u did the thermostat?? U could have an air bubble in the system. Drive the car and punch it a few times for the thermostat to open if you havent already.

WS6addiction

iTrader: (1)

When the factory guage reads 210, it could be anywhere from ~170 to ~230. I don't remember the exact temps, but if you watch it as it comes up to operating temp, when it gets to ~170 it will jump to 210. I've watched this on a scanner. If it gets to like 233 it will jump up to the actual temp again. That's when you have problems.

dark ws6

Before the thermostat is was showing the same temperature that is showing now. the needle is rigth before the 210 degrees mark. I drove the car today about 120 miles and still the same results.. This is frustrairing since I feel that it was a waste of money going with this upgrade.

dark ws6

I used to have a 160 degrees thermostat in my old T/A it was an LT1 and the needle from the temperature gauge was always at the first quater of the gauge capacity. (between 160 and 180) I saw the results as soon as I installed that thermostat on it. I guess I was expecting to see the same reading in my LS1.

zracer323

iTrader: (12)

It is running cooler whether you can "see" the results or not. The only way to tell is to hook up a real gauge or scanner and read the temp off of there.

SSnut2K

like mchdg86 stated they are dummy gauges! i have the 160 also and my gauge reads 210 but with the pc hooked up the temp sets around 170. its a good upgrade:::

ethomp

sorry to be a newb, but what exactly does the 160 thermo do for you? i know it makes the car run cooler, but what advantage does that give...sorry op

wtomlinson

iTrader: (6)

that's exactly it. it opens up earlier and runs cooler. cooler = good

ethomp

oh, i figured it might have gone a little deeper and had some hidden advantage. I guess i just try to go too deep with things..(thats what she said)

71-Camaro-98

iTrader: (17)

They are only dummy gauges if you have a '99 or higher. My '98 temp gauge works fine...

TheSilverOne

iTrader: (22)

actually the engine doesn't reach it's efficient operating temperature and therefore you're wasting fuel.

WS6addiction

iTrader: (1)

^^^ That's true, but by lowering the operating temp you're keeping the intake charge cooler and therefore, denser.

elias_799

iTrader: (8)

also by installing a colder thermostat and running the engine at cooler temperature the piston rings do not expand to the same point as they used to on 210 degrees.

dark ws6

Well since I live in Phoenix, AZ and summer time is coming soon I think is a good upgrade for my car.

rsodeputy61

what? it just opens sooner, it still reaches optimal temp. just gotta set ur fans properly....

71-Camaro-98

iTrader: (17)

I feel ya there