160 deg thermostat

thebeepster · 12-22-2006, 02:31 PM

On my 2nd vette now (C6) and have never gotten used to cruising temps (coolant) of 196-200 and 220 in traffic. I finally got around to installing the 160 deg stat and now enjoy cruising temps of 176-180 and 200-210 at idle or in heavy traffic. This is without a tune or any adjustment to the fans. I suspect the temp in traffic may also drop after the tune and fan adj. Being old school (but not a techie) I tend to think this is a good thing. Am I right or only dreaming? Those who have done this please chime in!

**Rich Z** · 12-22-2006, 04:17 PM

Well this is interesting. I posted a thread about thermostats a while back (http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forum...read.php?t=68). I'm curious about how this actually works............

thebeepster · 12-22-2006, 05:56 PM

I read this thread and also do not understand the lower cruise temps without fan adjustment. I just felt like I would try it to see what happens because of the minor investment ($25). I'm still thinking lower temps all around are a good thing

thebeepster · 12-22-2006, 06:01 PM

Also, forgot to add I previously tried Redline Water Wetter with no result. I am told using this additive can be effective if you drain most of the coolant and replace w/ water and the "Water Wetter". This additive apparently is not effective when interacting w/ the factory coolant.

**Rich Z** · 12-22-2006, 07:05 PM

Well, I'm not so sure that cooler would always be better, in this instance. In some respects, you really want the oil to be hot for proper lubrication. I think if you could arrange it thusly, you would want the engine to be hot on the lower end, relatively speaking, but the air intake and fuel delivery system to be cool.

I remember back in the old days, I had a cool can on my '66 GTO whereby you could put ice in the can and the fuel line ran through it to cool down the fuel before going to the carburetor. Don't know how well it actually worked, but it looked cool under the hood..

IVOZ06 · 12-22-2006, 08:17 PM

As long as the oil temp reaches 212 to eliminate any condensation in the oil

SteveK · 12-22-2006, 11:07 PM

Aha yes, the old Cool Can. Not that I am old enough to remember wanting one, just to be COOL

My C-4 runs at 190-200 on the highway and 205-215 in town. My mechanic (The Vette Doctor) in Melbourne said that this was absolutely fine and that going to a 160 degree stat was not needed.

CHASZ51 · 12-23-2006, 08:45 AM

My 04 z51 runs around 190- 200 at speed, and up to 224 in heavy traffic! My 97 z28 with the LT1 would bump up to 230 or more in traffic, also my 05 GTO would run around 205 in traffic.

Chas

Pres712 · 12-23-2006, 10:16 AM

Almost the day I moved to Fl. all my club members told me to install the 160. That was in my C-4. Within a week of bringing home my C-5 I put in a 160 and will enjoy the safety margin of 160 to 235 or 240 whatever the danger zone is. The only reason GM puts in a 195 is to get it up to the highest temp it can to fire off the cats to please the EPA.