jay17

Thinking of doing this, but not sure if it would be good for the engine in the winter? It can get pretty cold here, down in the teens. Will it hurt anything when it's that cold?

scorp508

I have one in my car, and we've see 0 now and then. :) The car takes a little longer to warm up, but once it does everything seems fine.

mackeyred96

I ran my car all year around with at 160 for 4 years in Jersey weather without a problem.

65Z01

I've been running one in my IROC for over 4yrs and in the Vette for over a year with no issues.

Gonzo

Use it year round no problem.

Turismo

Extended driving at low water temperature is bad. See my post below for consequences of driving with a cold engine. There are reasons why the SBC is usually fitted with a 190-195 degree thermostat. Those who think that running the engine cooler will result in longer engine life and increased performance are mistaken. http://www.enteract.com/~mikew/ubb/F...ML/001046.html

jackdaroofer

Thermostat only controls when water flows from radiator, not if it will.

Point of illustration: I run a 180 in the vette. Last weekend on Skyline cruise, in the mountains, water temp stayed in the high 160's. low 170's. Thermostat remained closed, so would have a 195 or 200 degree thermostat.

So thermostat does not control minimum engine temp, only the point where the thermo will allow water to flow from radiator to cool engine.

I disagree with running engines hot and I have four SBC with a collective 700,000 miles without even the heads off for valve work ( 3 Z 28' and the Vette) I keep my engine temps in the 160-180 range and change oil every two months

Keep it cool ;) Heat kills!

:seeya Jack

importeater

totally agree with jack, i run a 160therm year round & when i pull the engine up on diacom, like i did yesterday, even with 50deg temps outside the coolant was right at 170deg..perfect

Blue 92

Bingo!! My 160 stat opens at 160 and I get heat at that temp. You may get a little hotter air from the heater with a 190 - 195 but I normally have to turn the heater down or off anyway.

With the 160 stat combined with better fan control I've yet to go over 190 in bumper to bumper traffic at 90 plus in the summer. Compare that to people running 235 - 240 with the stock thermostat.

jay17

From what most of you say, I guess I will have to get one. Thanks :chevy

AquaMetallic94LT1

You thermostat or temp gauge are out of calibration. Your engine should not go below the rated temp of thermostat, unless outside temps are very cold. If a thermostat stays closed the engine over heats.

I wish I could find the graph that shows wear in a small block chevy vs operating temp.

Nathan Plemons

I think there is a lot of confusion about what people mean when they say running it cold. Essentially the only wear you will get that is any worse than any other time is at startup. Allow the oil time to get going before you go WOT. Other than that there shouldn't be much difference in how warm it gets. I have to agree with keeping it as cool as possible as it does make more power. The excessive heat is just for emmisions purposes, but bad on everything else.

As it has been stated above a 160 thermostat alone will do VERY little as far as keeping the car cool in traffic. The temps will still soar like crazy unless you have the fans programmed to take advantage of it. My car always runs at 178 with the 160 stat and the programmed fans. To me this is a very comfortable number. Not too hot.

jackdaroofer

snip.


You thermostat or temp gauge are out of calibration. Your engine should not go below the rated temp of thermostat, unless outside temps are very cold. If a thermostat stays closed the engine over heats.

Response: I agree, if the thermo stays closed when the water temp in the block exceeds the thermo rated temp, it means two things...1) your thermo isn't working and therefore 2) your engine will overheat. That's true whether you run a 160 or 195 or 225 thermo! As to my stuff being out of calibration, doubtful! Many Vettes with 195's run in the 180's on the highway, are they all out of callibration?

I wish I could find the graph that shows wear in a small block chevy vs operating temp. [/QUOTE]

Response: And I would invite whoever made the graph to come to my garage :D :D

Heat kills ;) ;)

:seeya

Jack

scorp508

I tend to disagree, isn't this why there is 0W30 and 5W30 oil?

jpee

I use Mobil 1 5-30 oil, & have a 160 thermostat.. last year in -10 deg weather I drove to NJ .. the engine temp stayed right at 170 but the oil temp was 190... trans temp 175..

Agreed you do not get REAL HOT heat, but I did not need a jacket .. It was very comfortable.. As far as I'm concerned the only problem is it takes longer to get the inside of the car warm..

Oh also I do drive very easy (under 2500rpm) until oil is 150 deg.

AquaMetallic94LT1

Hmmm.... mine runs at 194 (digital reading) at its coldest and I have a 195.

Its a pretty old graph so they're probably in an old folks home. Does your garage have wheel chair access ? :lol:

JQ87

Can you run a 160deg t-stat with the stock chip?
If not, what would the optimal fan settings be?

Thanks,

btw, when I first bought my Vette in '95, the temp would run around 165-175. I had taken it to a dealership to fix a coolant leak and asked them to check the t-stat cause I thought that it was sticking. They just went ahead a replaced it with a stock t-stat. This was all before I knew anything about performance mods on a Vette. Could my car had a 160 t-stat in it when I bought it? hmmm....

JQ87

ttt :)

jay17

I don't think it will help any without reprograming it. Not sure what the best setting would be though.