thermostat helps performance?

[Robert.K]

I see alot of guys talking about upgrading there thermostat. what benefit does that have? whats a good thermostat to go with?

 

[Mr.Martin]

order the 160 degree thermostat from a ls1. Summit has them for 60 bucks. the temp gauge will never go above 1/4. Stock should always sit 1/2.

 

[NathanJax]

I've read there is no real point to do this...


From http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=954 ...

Me personally, I would not purchase the thermostat, the stocker is just fine.

Its funny you say that cause Vinci Hi Performance had a whole write up of why you should keep the higher thermostat temp over say a 160*.

 

[hyde]

Never seen any benefit from it.

 

[blueflamed03]

I would think it would hamper, the newer engines like and need to run 205/210 degrees.

 

[Robert.K]

Well I put the RP coolant additive in yesterday, and instantly my temp went down from 210 to around 200 if i had to guesstimate. not a big difference during the day, but I could notice during the night time when things were alot cooler. Just wanted to know about the t-stat thing.

 

[Eagle]

the problem with T-stats is that if you get too cool you get out of closed loop and start running strictly off the warm up tables.
that leads to increased fuel consumption and less power, not more.

there is no reason to go to a cooler T-stat unless you going to reprogram for it, and even then results may vary.

 

[Clemsonbloz]

the engine is designed to run at the temp that it does stock. altering this will cause more fuel use, and more engine wear,, as the running clearences in the engine are based on that engine running 195ish,, not 160.. people install colder t-stats when they throw a ton of timing in the engine,, to keep cylinder temps down and prevent detonation.

 

[NoChrome]

the engine is designed to run at the temp that it does stock. altering this will cause more fuel use, and more engine wear,, as the running clearences in the engine are based on that engine running 195ish,, not 160.. people install colder t-stats when they throw a ton of timing in the engine,, to keep cylinder temps down and prevent detonation.

This is what Im thinking, if you have the engine tuned for 160* with the matching t-stat, it should make more power. but on a stock motor the cooler tems wont help much if any.