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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 05:32 PM
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Default 180 thermostat

180 thermostat worth it or not ? I have my fans reprogramed to come on at lower temp. my buddy has one that he wants me to try but i dont think its necessary. What do you think ? Thanx.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 05:50 PM
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Mine came with a 180 according to the manual, but was stamped 86C...
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 06:01 PM
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i dont think the factory 180 t-stat started until the 01 production year, so his should have a 195 in it
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 11:54 PM
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Change the 180 thermostat for s 160 thermostat.I find that the cooler running engine runs better.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 12:09 AM
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let me get this right... '01-'02 came with 180* stats?
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 01:51 PM
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That's what my owners manual says, but was stamped 86*C (186.8?).
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 02:12 PM
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With a EFI car you want the higher temp for better fuel burn.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 2001NBMZ28
That's what my owners manual says, but was stamped 86*C (186.8?).

180 is the start open temp, full open by 186
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Old Oct 3, 2006 | 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by ZROCWS6
With a EFI car you want the higher temp for better fuel burn.
yeah , the 160 thermostat is a gimmick.

optimum coolant temp is 200 - 210 am I correct? I mean combustion chamber temps will always be way hotter, but the coolant temp too cold can interfere with that?
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Old Oct 3, 2006 | 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by JEB Garner
Change the 180 thermostat for s 160 thermostat.I find that the cooler running engine runs better.
that is not true. You run cool, you lose power. You want a cool intake temp. The block needs to have heat to operate properly. Plus a 160° is gonna actually read around 175-185.
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Old Dec 27, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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I have a 99 Trans Am and I am installing a new water pump now. My T-stat says 86C as well. Is this a 180-186F thermostat?
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Old Dec 27, 2006 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by orangeapeel
a 160° is gonna actually read around 175-185.
This is true, the actual temp the car runs at will be higher. Mine with the 160* stat ran at a consistant 175* all the time...regardless of outside temp.

I don't think it's been proven that ls1s work better when hotter, in fact from what I have seen on a dyno the opposite is true: the cooler running the engine (relatively speaking) the more power it rolls on the dyno, but I don't think there is data either way which is better.
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Old Dec 27, 2006 | 03:01 PM
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My "160" cracks about 177F. My stocker was 194F.
The "180" is the real waste of money. Unless you
are forced induction or really high CR I say stick with
the stocker and just get the fans under control.
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