Too cold for 160 F thermostat?

**Z28LS1** · 10-22-2006, 12:59 PM

Hey guys, I just bought a 160 degree thermostat for my '99 Z28. I also bought a hypertech programmer so i can change the fan settings. But, I live in Jersey and winters coming around. I heard somewhere that you shouldn't have a 160 installed in weather below 75 degrees? Is this true? Will it hurt my engine? Thanks

**JonB** · 10-22-2006, 01:15 PM

I can't comment for sure but I would probably say yes a 160 in your weather is to cold. You will probably run right about 160 with a 160 t-stat in that weather. Although cooler is usually better 160 is not even heating your car up all the way. I run a 160 here in fl but its 90+ 8 months out of the year and with the fans reprogrammed I run 185-190.

**Jon7I2** · 10-22-2006, 01:39 PM

What do we run stock? Cuz i thought it was 195, but i recently heard it was 187.

**Z28LS1** · 10-22-2006, 04:31 PM

Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I might install it after the winter cause i don't wanna hurt my engine. Actually, what would the problems be by it running closer to 160 anyway? Thanks man. And yeah a stock thermostat is at 195, thats why we are usually running a little below 210

**BlackLT1Z28** · 10-22-2006, 06:18 PM

If you run a thermo that cool in cold weather, you won't be able to get any heat out of your heater because the thermo won't let your engine get that warm.

**Frankthetank** · 10-22-2006, 06:27 PM

I run about 210 all the time with a stock stat

**SSTODD** · 10-23-2006, 07:46 AM

stock is in the upper 180's and unless you have an aftermarket temp. gauge thats accurate you cannot trust that thing in your dash. mine also points in the general direction of 210 but it's a dummy gauge. I would skip the stat.

**shady milkman** · 10-23-2006, 08:00 AM

i'd suguest against the 160 stat in winter. it would be the aqivilant(sp) of running your car "cold" for a long duriation. it can cause probs. throw the stock stat in for the winter ..you wont tell a diff in winter anywho. and as sstod stated the cluster temp gauge is ussually off by up to 20 degrees. the ls1's are ussually 187-193f.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 10-23-2006, 08:24 AM

If the engine stays too cold you'll be driving around in open loop forever...not a good thing. I'd say stick with the stock 195* or go to a 180* at the lowest...and adjust the fans accordingly.

**Z28LS1** · 10-23-2006, 12:09 PM

Yeah I can see how a 160 wouldn't be that good now. I'll hold off on it for a while, especially winter. Thanks guys for the info.

**Frankthetank** · 10-23-2006, 01:44 PM

what about on a cammed out car?

I got a pretty big cam and engine runs pretty damn hot all the time.....temp never really gets below 30 too much here....what u guys think?

**N4cer** · 10-23-2006, 02:10 PM

If you drive around and the car never reaches proper operating temp, you'll never burn the water and exhaust impurities out of your oil.

**LS2Tuner** · 10-25-2006, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Z28LS1

Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I might install it after the winter cause i don't wanna hurt my engine. Actually, what would the problems be by it running closer to 160 anyway? Thanks man. And yeah a stock thermostat is at 195, thats why we are usually running a little below 210

The biggest prob. with a 160 is that it NEVER closes.........Most people don't undestand how it works in the first place.With a "cold" stat. you run into the problem of it NEVER Closing. Think about it like this your coolant is flowing at 20mph NONE Stop.......The thermostat NEVER shuts to hold it in the rad. If it is constantly flowing there is never any time for the rad. to cool the coolant down.
There fore here in Phx. most people find out that there car runs cooler with a 180 versus a 160 because it holds it in the rad. for a min. before it opens back up.

If the metals in the motor never reach "operating temp." there is moisture and other impurties in the crankcase that will build up and cause damage!!!
If it stays in "open loop" it runs a rich circuit trying to warm up the motor also.............Rich tune DOES NOT BUILD POWER!!!!!

Hope this helps somewhat.