Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Thermostat Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26, 2005 | 10:15 PM
  #1  
cveklund's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Default Thermostat Help

I am going to buy a new 160 thermostat to replace the stocker. I went to Oreillys and the guy said to put in a 160 they had on the shelf. It is just a plain thermostat. Will this work or would it be better to buy the hypertech? I noticed the hypertechs are pictured with a housing. Does it come witha new housing and is it necessary? Or could i just put in a new thermostat?

Thanks,
Chris
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2005 | 11:07 PM
  #2  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

The guy at Oreilly's is a moron and thinks LS1s use old school thermostats. You will need the one with the housing made by MotoRad and repackaged by Hypertech and others that sell them. If you have the new style GM replacement waterpump, you would need the new style thermostat without the housing, but it is still not the old school one they have on the shelf.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 06:36 AM
  #3  
cveklund's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks. Now how do I tell if I have the new style water pump? Also, I am doing a coolant flush at the same time. Is there a way to drain the coolant out of the block or just refill and drain radiator until clear?

Chris
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 11:29 AM
  #4  
Y2K SS's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
Default

There is no way to totally drain the block. I pulled everything when doing the heads and still, even when I pulled the heads tons of water came out. So if you must... drain and fill drain and fill as much as you want. I would just do it once unless you think somethings in there.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 12:13 PM
  #5  
jimmyblue's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Default

If you are not controlling your fans to better
temp setpoint, then you're wasting money on
the "160" thermostat. Odds are, without fan
programming, the thermostat is not in charge
(sitting there full open) except maybe on the
highway.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 02:33 PM
  #6  
cveklund's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Default

My tuner said he would change it when I put it in otherwise it would run forever until I did and I didn't know how soon I would be changing it. How much coolant is there in the rad and how much in the block? I read somewhere that there is 2 plugs to remove on the block to drain it out of the block, is that true? Also, how do I tell if I have the new water pump?

Thanks,
Chris
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:05 PM
  #7  
cveklund's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Default

Anyone?

Chris
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2005 | 11:10 PM
  #8  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

There is a plug above the starter and one on the front of the block on the driver's side. I've had them in and out with motors out of the car but I've never tried to get at them with the motor in the car. I think you will have to pull the starter to get to the one on the passenger side. I've not looked to access the driver's side one with the motor in the car.
When you remove the t-stat housing, if the housing and and stat come off in one piece, you have the older original t-stat. I thing GM started using the new pump in MY03 or MY04 so if your car is a f-body and the pump has never been changed, you will have the older style pump. The newer style pump is all GM sells now even if you are replacing the older style.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-2

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-9

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 10:48 PM
  #9  
cveklund's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the help guys! I GOT-ER-DONE!!

Chris
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:02 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

Slideshow: 10 reasons daily-driving a swap project might not be for you. Or is it?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-17 09:39:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-18 10:26:23


VIEW MORE
story-3
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-5
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-7
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE