LS1TOYOTA

iTrader: (3)

I am confused about the thermostat people are using in the LS1. The aftermarket has a 160* and a 180*, where the factor has a ~195*. I have been told that the engine was designed to run with the 195*. The 160* will cause the engine to run richer due to a cooler ECT. What is the best for the engine? Performance?

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

Id say 180 atleast. My stocker was supposedly a 187. I replaced with a 187.

TopFlite

I have the Napa 186 here. Just make sure you match your fan settings with your thermostat.

LS1TOYOTA

iTrader: (3)

I bought a 186* at the part store and put it in a pot of water on the stove along with the factory one. They both opened and closed at the same time, so I took it back.

00T\A

I run the Hypertech 160* T-Stat works for me.

ls1charged

iTrader: (8)

i guess it would really depend on where u live and what the climate is there.

Matt D

iTrader: (49)

The stock one. Just program the fans to come on sooner. The LS1 runs the best at full operating temperature.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

BINGO!!!

98camaroLS1M6

iTrader: (35)

True, I have stock thermostat and it opens at about 184*( put in hot water and measured with thermometer) and I have the fans programmed to come on at 178. The fans help so much on hot days.

ls1charged

iTrader: (8)

yeah your in NJ right, im in FL it gets alil toasty down here.

Travis99LS1

iTrader: (2)

It honestly shouldnt matter..If everything is working the way it should, the car should never overheat with the stock thermostat. If anything, like mentioned before, have the fans come on a little sooner, so once that thermostat opens the coolant will be at a slightly lower temp than it would be normally.

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

I put in a polished 160 w/fan programming. I like it cooler, I hope my engine does too.

ls1charged

iTrader: (8)

yeah i agree, i just like to make sure that it doesnt get to warm, i know its not supposed to get to cool cause it run efficiently, but it also doesnt run as efficient when it gets too hot, i basically put a 160* in cause i live in florida where its 95+ all summer long and its a black car, worse combination.

NexGen

iTrader: (2)

The color of the car doesnt matter, but I have to 160 hypertech in mine. That particular one doesnt open right at 160....... I run a constant 170-175. I live in Texas so I am happy with that any day!

ls1charged

iTrader: (8)

yeah but it cant help any. im sure theres going to be some kind of diff. between a white car and a black car. it may not be alot but im sure that its there.

BigDaddyBry

iTrader: (15)

and you can't just throw in a thermometer and call it a day. like said above, you must program your fans accordingly.

squealingtires

iTrader: (14)

what is normal operating temperature. My guage in the dash shows 210* when warm.

WhiteRhino

iTrader: (6)

I put in a 160 because it gets 120*+ here in Vegas during the summer.With the a/c and stock stat it just dont cut it.

WhiteRhino

iTrader: (6)

If you have a 99-02 you have a dummy gauge.Once it gets warmed up that were it'll stay. 98's have the only sorta functioning gauge.

PREDATOR-Z

Guys, perhaps some of you are confusing thermostat opening temp and actual running temp.
A 160* stat just allows coolant to flow through the motor at 160* that is all. I doesn't mean that the car will run 160.