160* Vs 187* Thermostat
- Thread starter TnTahoe
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JennaBear
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I wouldn't recommend a lower t-stat, these engines need to run at a higher temp to burn off condensation in the oil.
viximaging
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yep.. the 160's are also awful in the winter
WICKEDOWESIX
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Depending on your location and mods depends on the T stat to use. The main purpose of the lower T stat is to have cooler engine coolant temps and increase spark advance (more power) with out KR.
---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:30 PM ----------
My 160* works fine in ALL seasons. My heater works great in the winter too and my truck still gets to normal operating temps.
---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:30 PM ----------
My 160* works fine in ALL seasons. My heater works great in the winter too and my truck still gets to normal operating temps.
WICKEDOWESIX
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Yeah that would be a good thing to do now that your in there. Good luck!
JennaBear
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It isn't the weather that matters, it is the engine temperatures. I wouldn't recommend anything under 180, if you feel the need to change anything,
By installing a 160* t-stat, usually, not always, you are going to get overheating. Now, I live in Arizona where it is hella hot in the summer. And by installing a lower degree t-stat, what is going to happen is my engine is going to fight to try to keep the engine cooler. What I mean is, by having the t-stat at 160*, it is constantly going to stay open there for the coolant will never get a chance to cool down inside the radiator with fans, and just keep circulating coolant constantly never getting the chance to cool down. By the t-stat not getting a opportunity to close, the coolant will never get cold enough to close the t-stat, and then overheating will accure.
I've used them on 4-6 cylinder vehicles with no problems, but never on the Tahoe, or V8's. I would like to know if anybody has done this switch, and where they live, how hot it gets in summer, and if it helped.
I've used them on 4-6 cylinder vehicles with no problems, but never on the Tahoe, or V8's. I would like to know if anybody has done this switch, and where they live, how hot it gets in summer, and if it helped.
WICKEDOWESIX
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I have never had my truck over heat in the summer. It has gotten to temps up to 115* out here in th esummer and with the AC on it still doesnt over heat. With the proper efan setting you would be ok.
JennaBear
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There is a lot of false info out there on the interwebz, we plan on doing a side by side comparison on the dyno with t-stats, much like we did with the CAIs.
that's good to hear. Like I said, just info I have heard from some friends. But I just installed my E-fans, and they are hella bad ars!!! Kicking mad air now, and wonder if a 160* t-stat would help anything, ie. stay cooler???
---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------
That is awesome JennaBear! I will wait on even thinking about doing it until you post some results. When do you think you may be doing that dyno comparison?
---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------
That is awesome JennaBear! I will wait on even thinking about doing it until you post some results. When do you think you may be doing that dyno comparison?
JennaBear
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Not until we move back to CA, so probably sometime in the summer. I will be sure to post results, as I have a lot of people asking me this question weekly.
WICKEDOWESIX
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You WILL have lower coolant temps for sure with the 160*. You just need to lower the on tepms for the fans.
JennaBear
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I would agree to disagree with you
. EDIT: I misread, yes your coolant temps will be lower.
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WICKEDOWESIX
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I am almost certain that if you tune on the 160* with max timing and then switch to the OEM (195* I think) you lose power due to the heat causing some KR.
JennaBear
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There is a reason we aren't running lower t-stats in any of our vehicles, but to each their own. Not saying is a grotesquely bad thing, just would rather spend my money elsewhere.
WICKEDOWESIX
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Very well stated. Just like spark plugs and wires, some people do not bither to swap/change them and spend their money elsewhere. I guess I am the type of person that for me every little gain adds up in the big end
I would agree to disagree with you
so, if I "were" and that's up in air statement. I would have to have my tune adjusted to compensate for the lower t-stat? JennaBear
Not discounting WICKEDOWESIX, and his knowledge. But have seen JennaBear's many writeups, and seems very knowledgable regarding performance mods, and if they truelly work by testing. So, JennaBear, would you suggest doing this switch? IE. stock t-stat to 160* t-stat?
JennaBear
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If you were to change t-stats, yes you would want to make sure you were running everything right in the tune.
Would I suggest doing this mod? No.
Would I suggest doing this mod? No.
viximaging
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Well I ran a 160 in my 06 gto and It took it a good bit to heat up in the winter.. Maybe it was just something that happened out the blue... My vette I ran a 180 and everything was cool.. both times efans etc were tuned for the tstat. Gto 446hp and the vette was 401.. Just my experience..
Oh I ended up swaping the gto tstat back to stock and it felt better to me and actually heated up pretty fast
But hey I dont know why I gues.. But from what I have read lsx engines are better with 180+ my tuner at the time also agreed..
It actually ran a tad cooler with the stock.. Ambients would get up to 180-190 and I was about -5 below always on the dashhawk...
Oh I ended up swaping the gto tstat back to stock and it felt better to me and actually heated up pretty fast
But hey I dont know why I gues.. But from what I have read lsx engines are better with 180+ my tuner at the time also agreed..It actually ran a tad cooler with the stock.. Ambients would get up to 180-190 and I was about -5 below always on the dashhawk...
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