Is 160* Thermostat too Cold?
 

I'm going to be running the 160* thermostat and was wondering if that is too cold for the motor? Is lubrication affected? Myron Cottrell (TPiS) recommends plugging the water pump bypass and drilling 4 .20" diameter holes in the thermostat for improved performance (summertime).

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (GRX)
 

You should be fine with just the 160. You dont need to drill it. It will run alot cooler with it in anyways.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (RadPolo96)
 

Some have said that the 160 stat keeps the engine from going into closed loop. I doubt it though, by the time the engine gets to 160F both O2 sensors should be well within the operating temp range. So that means cooler engine, more power, and longer life. (Theoretically :D)

Late :cheers:

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (Darkness)
 

No it is not too cold, the engine can still get to closed loop in winter. In CA you should have no problems getting to closed loop.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (GRX)
 

My opinion is that the 160 stat is ok, car definately performs better at lower temperature.

I do not recomend the .20" holes in the stat for a street car. I did this, it might help a little bit at lowering temps, BUT it increases the warmup time significantly and in temps below about 65 the car never reaches 160 even.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (vader86)
 

Works great for me. I have not messed with fan temps either. Made a BIG difference in normal cruising temps.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (GRX)
 

Should be no problem at all. You might notice temperature creap in traffic unless you re-set the temp the fans come on.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (LT-4 CE)
 

Don't worry because you'll never see temps lower than 175 anyway. What cools the car is not the thermostat, it's the other components of the cooling system, radiator, coolant, fans, and air.

I wouldn't even bother putting in the 160Tstat if you don't do the fan mod though.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (GRX)
 

Yes, in winter temperatures, the only time a 160 stat can maintain your engine at 160 F, 160 is too cold to operate your engine. The oil temperature won't get hot enough to evaporate condensed water and it will start making sludge. Also, engine wear increases at 160 F. Furthermore, only one CFer actually measured rear wheel HP during a session on a dynamometer and took out his factory thermostat and installed a 160 F thermostat and measured NO change in HP.
In summer temps, a 160 stat will be wide open and NOT in control of your coolant temperature because C4 radiators are sized for 180-195 operation and cannot get rid of heat fast enough to maintain 160 degrees. Even the CF proponents of 160 stats post their coolant temps and they are well outside of the several (about 3 degrees) degrees of control range thermostats have and their temps are well above 160. Your coolant temps in the summer will stop rising when the radiator gets rid of heat as fast as the engine makes it, and this is around 200 - 220 (under 35 mph and even with both fans on).
I drive an 87 vette everyday and it has always had a 195 stat in place and in the summer at stoplights with the fan forced on with a manual switch, my coolant goes to 200 and drops to 195 when I get underway. My radiator is clean and I installed a Stewart waterpump. My factory pump would allow 210-220 temps at stoplights and took much longer to drop to 195 when I got underway.
A 160 stat is a waste of money and effort. Don't you think GM would have installed one from the factory if they worked?

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (GRX)
 

Long-time debated topic! I think that's because most casual observers confuse two opposing factors: CHARGE temperature and ENGINE temperature. The topic is further confused because choosing a thermostat will effect both.

** What you want is HOT engine temps (i.e., oil temp) to keep design tolerences where the ought to be, keep condensation and light hydrocarbons out of the oil, and reduce power-robbing friction from oil viscosity.

** What you want is a COLD intake charge. Cold air contains more oxygen per volume, and greatly enhances performance.

A good compromise might be to go with a 170 or 180 thermostat along with a throttlebody coolant bypass kit, cold air intake, and reprogrammed fans.

Oh, I run a 170 with the above mods. Fans go on at 184, off at 172.

Good luck!

-Bill

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (GRX)
 

Oh, one more thing. Get a Robertshaw thermostat. They're no more expensive, the entire center opens and closes, allowing far more flow that any other thermostat that I've seen. Makes a difference!

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (ELEVENS)
 

:iagree: I have found that in cooler weather the engine doesn't warm up enough. Never gets above 160. Try 180 thermosat wont matter in summer temps will be the same but in cold temps will be better. :seeya

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (ELEVENS)
 

may i ask where i can get a robertshaw thermo.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (87BlueGoober)
 

I don't know anything about Robert Shaw. I used a Hypertech 160 that I got from Ecklers. Works fine, comes with a gasket installed, and definitely allows more flow than the stock 180.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (GRX)
 

I run a 160 deg stat & fan switch in SE NY summer & winter with no problems.

The ECM goes closed loop quickly and there is plenty of heat even in sub-freezing weather. When air temp is in the 70s coolant temp runs around 160 deg on the highway and creaps up in traffic. Still it is much lower than with the stock stat. & fan control.

Indeed there is debate over wear with lower engine temps; though no debate that lower intake air temps allow for more HP. Run a quality motor oil, change it frequently and you should not have any problems from HCs or condensation in the oil.

So, to answer your post title...no, I don't think 160 deg is too cold for coolant temps.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (65Z01)
 

Who ever says runnning a 160* t-stat is too cold has obviously never ran one. Ask those that have run them. The car never runs at 160* or anywhere close. Mine runs 170-178 on the hwy and creeps up to 185+ in stop and go traffic, even in the winter. You should only expect to see lower hwy temps with a 160* and thats it.

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (all4c4lt4)
 

:withstupid:

I'll 2nd that!

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (all4c4lt4)
 

:withstupid:

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (all4c4lt4)
 

:iagree:

Re: Is 160* Thermostat too Cold? (87BlueGoober)
 

Ever see the movie "Escanaba in da Moonlight?". It's a hilariously funny Jeff Daniels movie (2003) about deer hunters in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Jeff Daniels was the guy in "Dumb and Dumber", and lives in Chelsia, MI.

The famous Stewart Components (High Flow Water Pumps) is located in Escanaba, Mi, and they recommend and sell the High Flow Robertshaw thermostats. They are modified by Stewart, and are around $10.

http://www.stewartcomponents.com/html/products/

Yaaaaaa you betcha...!


[Modified by ELEVENS, 4:07 PM 8/14/2003]