Is it safe?
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TECH Fanatic
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From: Los Angeles CA
Is it safe? To run the SLP 160 thermostat? My mechanic says no...
but what do you think? any of you have this on your rides? If so... Input please.
I searched on here, nothing came up.
but what do you think? any of you have this on your rides? If so... Input please.
I searched on here, nothing came up.
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Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Los Angeles CA
@ BLKvert: yea he is. and???
@ Sweets10v8; well because it makes the engine run cooler, from what I read on slpshop. figured it would be better. just wanted to see some input on this item thats all.
@ Sweets10v8; well because it makes the engine run cooler, from what I read on slpshop. figured it would be better. just wanted to see some input on this item thats all.
Last edited by Mr.z/28; Dec 4, 2011 at 01:12 AM.
But honestly even if you put a 160 stat in your car it wont do much without a tune to change the fan settings. Unless you have a VALID reason to run a lower degree T stat in your car due to heavy mods I dont see a reason to do so. GM choose the factory T stat for a reason so I wouldn't mess with something like that unless you have a reason to
The GM higher thermostat temp is more conducive for emissions compliance and water condensation burn off, ran a 160 in my LS1 but noticed alot more condensation in my oil cap even after long drives the water never seemed to burn off. The LS6 has a 180 with no issues.
If your running a stock tune the 160/180 degree will make no diff. in your performance.
Last edited by Anthony Williams; Dec 5, 2011 at 01:50 AM.
Why do you need to run a 160 Tstat? Don't pay attention to your dummy coolant gauge. My Trans Am always sat at 210 once the car was warmed up. If you actually log the car it was always between 185-189 cruising and stopped. The car needs to warm up quickly to get into closed loop fueling and to burn off contaminants and moisture from the oil. Running the car cooler for longer is just extra wear and tear on parts. These motors were engineered to run between 190-200.
Are you going to be okay running 160* Tstat, probably. Do you really need one, no.
Are you going to be okay running 160* Tstat, probably. Do you really need one, no.
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 55
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From: Metro Deroit
run the stock t-stat, the car is designed to run at around 200 degrees becuse it is better for emissions wich is important in california, but more importantly fuel economy. i put one in my 98 z28 and lost mpg's, not to mention you will freeze your azz off the first time you turn your heat on becuse the coolant isnt hot enough to really heat the car. i really should have thought that one through a little more, we get some crazy cold nights here (detroit) in the fall sometimes.
Hotter running engines emit less pollutants.
Cooler running engines will make a bit more power and be more responsive.
The temp gauge will somewhat accurately show the engine's running temperature. It does sweep from low to high. The myth that it only shows low OR high is just that-a myth.
Running a lower than stock thermostat is pointless without tuning the fans to come on at the same temperature.
Running a 160 thermostat will still allow you to have heat inside.
Running a 160 stat and fan start temp will probably NOT keep your engine at 160 degrees due to the real limiting factor in these cars-the radiator. The stock radiator is barely capable of keeping these engines below 200 degrees. The slightly higher capacity LT1 radiator will help a bit but stepping up to the big BeCool radiator will really keep the temps down.
Cooler running engines will make a bit more power and be more responsive.
The temp gauge will somewhat accurately show the engine's running temperature. It does sweep from low to high. The myth that it only shows low OR high is just that-a myth.
Running a lower than stock thermostat is pointless without tuning the fans to come on at the same temperature.
Running a 160 thermostat will still allow you to have heat inside.
Running a 160 stat and fan start temp will probably NOT keep your engine at 160 degrees due to the real limiting factor in these cars-the radiator. The stock radiator is barely capable of keeping these engines below 200 degrees. The slightly higher capacity LT1 radiator will help a bit but stepping up to the big BeCool radiator will really keep the temps down.