thermostat
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 58
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From: Chesterton, Indiana
thermostat Is it better to go with a 160 degree thermostat compared to a 180 degree stat? Are there any benefits to switching to a 160 degree stat? If so is it just plug and play or are there any other adjustments needed? thanks in advance.
I chose the 160 stat because I think it's the best choice for me. Not to cold, but just right. You'll want to have the fans reprogrammed to take full advantage as well
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
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typically people install a 160 stat so the PCM can then be tuned to have more timing thus more HP if running at a lower operating temp. Putting one in alone would not really do much other than open at 160 vs 185 degrees but if the fans are still stock on/off temp settings they will still come on & go off at those settings
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
There is no benefit for a stock vehicle. And the benefit is debatable even for modified examples, depending on the degree and type of modifications (there is a ton of reading on this, you can investigate and decide for yourself as not everyone agrees).
Regardless, as mentioned above, you would need to reprogram the fans to get the full effect of this change.
Regardless, as mentioned above, you would need to reprogram the fans to get the full effect of this change.
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I agree on a stock setup it's not worth it. For a heads and cam high compression like mine it definitely was. We were able to add another degree of timing with no knock. Whereas before with the stock thermostat we could not
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Chesterton, Indiana
my car is a 2002 camaro with prc head, mild cam,long tube headers with true duel exhaust with no cats. ls7 lifters, cold air intake. lowering springs with lower control arms with relocation brackets. ls7 clutch. upgraded fuel pump. I might be missing something not sure. I'm pushing about 420hp at the rear tires. i figured i would benefit with doing this. but Man thanks for all the input.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,661
Likes: 2,589
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
my car is a 2002 camaro with prc head, mild cam,long tube headers with true duel exhaust with no cats. ls7 lifters, cold air intake. lowering springs with lower control arms with relocation brackets. ls7 clutch. upgraded fuel pump. I might be missing something not sure. I'm pushing about 420hp at the rear tires. i figured i would benefit with doing this. but Man thanks for all the input.
All of my stock compression, NA LS1s with nylon intakes have usually performed best with 180°-187° t-stats and fan settings that keep coolant temps in the 190°-205° range (both stock and non-stock cam).