What thermostat should I go with?
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
What thermostat should I go with? Got basically a stock 2002 Trans Am. Would it help going to a 180 or 160? If so which one? Are there any draw backs to this? ANy help would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Thanks
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
Re: What thermostat should I go with? Go with the FREE one!
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=180
If you lower your stat, you also have to turn your fans on sooner. Otherwise the stat can't function properly without air going over the radiator.
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=222
I did the above 2 mods. I have about $20 total in them. My car runs a consistent 175*. These mods were also key in ridding my car of detonation/KR problems... The power robbing condition that is so common to our cars.
Very worthy mods.
I highly recommend.
Dave
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=180
If you lower your stat, you also have to turn your fans on sooner. Otherwise the stat can't function properly without air going over the radiator.
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=222
I did the above 2 mods. I have about $20 total in them. My car runs a consistent 175*. These mods were also key in ridding my car of detonation/KR problems... The power robbing condition that is so common to our cars.
Very worthy mods.
I highly recommend.
Dave
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
Re: What thermostat should I go with? I dunno about that... I moved from TN to MN and it gets a whole hellva lot colder here and I don't have a problem. I also have the TB bypass and have no problems there.
Dave
Dave
TECH Resident
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: TN
Re: What thermostat should I go with? Yeah but I really like to have my windows down alot. And if the heater is only a little hot it does not make that easy. Also i like it to wear the heater feels almost painful, then wear the vent feels like it is going to melt. Then I can roll down my window almost all the way. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Re: What thermostat should I go with? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.:
<strong> My 02 T/A shows i'm at 200 degrees on my gauge all the time.Do i have a 180 or is there a 200 thermostat? Not sure what i have and not sure what to do.It runs good but smells a little hot when i park it in the garage after driving it.
I would like an opinion on whether i should change it or not.I'm not racing the car.
Thank you. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yep, my 2000 Z28 is the same.
<strong> My 02 T/A shows i'm at 200 degrees on my gauge all the time.Do i have a 180 or is there a 200 thermostat? Not sure what i have and not sure what to do.It runs good but smells a little hot when i park it in the garage after driving it.
I would like an opinion on whether i should change it or not.I'm not racing the car.
Thank you. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yep, my 2000 Z28 is the same.
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Brett Foote TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
Re: What thermostat should I go with? fwiw: Whatever temp stat you run in the car, figure on the actual engine temp being about 15* higher. That is generally how it works. So if you have the stock 195*, your actual engine temp would be around 210*.
The 99-02 temp gauges are notoriously inaccurate too, as a side note.
Dave
The 99-02 temp gauges are notoriously inaccurate too, as a side note.
Dave
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Batlimore, Maryland
Re: What thermostat should I go with? Ditto on what Ratio411 said about the gauges being wrong. Our gauges are nothing more than a fancy idiot light. Even with a 165 thermostat my gauge nver changed. If you view the water temp with a scan tool can see the true temp change.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Re: What thermostat should I go with? 180 in colder temperatures, 160 in warmer climates, that's what Hypertech recommends. Either way you'll need to reset the fan temp to get the full benefit.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: west coast
Re: What thermostat should I go with? Your 2002 came with a 180. Check the water temp your self, don't look at the gauge. If you go to the Pontiac dealer and ask for a new one guess what!? There going to hand you a 180. IMO 180 is not too hot unless your going to drag race all day.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Seattle,Wa.
Re: What thermostat should I go with? My 02 T/A shows i'm at 200 degrees on my gauge all the time.Do i have a 180 or is there a 200 thermostat? Not sure what i have and not sure what to do.It runs good but smells a little hot when i park it in the garage after driving it.
I would like an opinion on whether i should change it or not.I'm not racing the car.
Thank you.
I would like an opinion on whether i should change it or not.I'm not racing the car.
Thank you.
11 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 10
From: long island, ny
Re: What thermostat should I go with? the reason why the gauges dont move in 99-02 cars after you put the fan switch and the stat is that gm made it into nothing more then a good looking idiet light after 98
they were araid that the drastic temp movments would scare customers (so i here)
my friend has a 98 and the temp gauge works great but in my car it stays at 210
only time it will be hight is if you over heat and it flips it to the red
thats why i plan on puting an aftermarket gauge when i get my pod
they were araid that the drastic temp movments would scare customers (so i here)
my friend has a 98 and the temp gauge works great but in my car it stays at 210
only time it will be hight is if you over heat and it flips it to the red
thats why i plan on puting an aftermarket gauge when i get my pod
