160 or 180 degree thermostat?
The Hypertech "160" thermostat has about a 177F natural
setpoint on my car with full time fans (179F - 183F during
hard running). The stocker held at 194F. The car seems to
like the cooler 'stat and I haven't taken any big economy
hit. I was concerned that the Hypertech (which I found
at my local speed shop, on the shelf, for $59) might be too
cool but it's merely misrated by the manufacturer.
setpoint on my car with full time fans (179F - 183F during
hard running). The stocker held at 194F. The car seems to
like the cooler 'stat and I haven't taken any big economy
hit. I was concerned that the Hypertech (which I found
at my local speed shop, on the shelf, for $59) might be too
cool but it's merely misrated by the manufacturer.
Save your money, seriously! These are just "snake oil" remedies that the aftermarket comes out with to charge an enthusiast, for a part that's just not worth it. Running those cooler thermostats, will eventually ruin your engine. You're dumping all of your energy from the engine into the cooling system. You will be washing your cylinder walls causing premature engine wear, because the fuel charge is not properly lighting off, or vaporizing. Plus, these engines become more efficient when they run hotter, but there is a limit. I modified a brand new service replacement thermostat to open at 205degrees. I did notice that my car ran better. In running an engine hotter, there will be some things to take into consideration. They are the motor oil that you use, the octane rating, which would tie into tuning the ECM also, and the type of coolant you use.
I use Neo-Synthetic racing oil in 0w-5, and have been since 99'. It has a real high rate that it burns at, and it's not a passenger car oil, which is why it's around $9.95qt. I also use Evans NPG+ nonaqeous coolant instead of the propylene glycol. It contains no water at all, and is designed to run at the higher temps. If you have any further questions please feel free to private message me here at the board.
I use Neo-Synthetic racing oil in 0w-5, and have been since 99'. It has a real high rate that it burns at, and it's not a passenger car oil, which is why it's around $9.95qt. I also use Evans NPG+ nonaqeous coolant instead of the propylene glycol. It contains no water at all, and is designed to run at the higher temps. If you have any further questions please feel free to private message me here at the board.
