Thermostat Delete?

[SuperSSguy]

Open Loop / Closed Loop is somewhere around 120 to 140 degrees on our cars, if I recall correctly. Even with a 160 degree thermostat, the engine will generally run warmer than that by several degrees. With a 180 degree thermostat in our car, and reprogrammed fans, the temps stay between 186 and 192 on average.

What temps would you run you fans @ ?...on temp _..off temp _?

[pajeff02]

Fan 1 comes on at 190 and goes off at 186. It is set to run for a minimum of 50 seconds.

Fan 2 comes on at 205 and goes off at 200. It is set to run for a minimum of 30 seconds.

[SuperSSguy]

Fan 1 comes on at 190 and goes off at 186. It is set to run for a minimum of 50 seconds.

Fan 2 comes on at 205 and goes off at 200. It is set to run for a minimum of 30 seconds.

Thanks- but would you leave them there? Or change points of activation to say 160 ?to come on?

[35th-ANV-SS]

I want to say a stock LS1 will run best at around 190 degrees. With that said, where Jeff has his settings at is right on target.

Using a 160 degree F thermostat, you could reduce the stock fan setting by the difference in t-stat temperature as a start point, and adjust from there as necessary. It really depends on what temperature you wish to stabilize. The limiting factors are the thermal efficiency of the radiator, capacity of the electric cooling fans, the climate where you live, and how the vehicle is to be used. Stop and go commuter traffic in the summer months can really test the cooling system, depending on where you live. In Arizona where FBJ lives this is crucial.

Once you’re happy with “normal” on / off temps - the fan delay / run time, A/C temp / pressure, as well as vehicle speed parameters can be adjusted accordingly.

As mentioned above by others, normal operating temp may effect emissions / fuel consumption / component wear, as well as power output. Loosely categorized operating temperatures:

195 - 210 degree F

reduced emissions output
higher fuel economy (use less fuel)
reduced engine component wear
reduced power output (compared to 160 degree F)

160 degree F

increased emissions output
increased fuel consumption
increased engine component wear
increased power output

If the vehicle is strictly pleasure use, and doesn’t see many miles during the year, the 160 stat should not be a problem. If however, the vehicle is your “daily driver” in the summer months, or driven frequently (every evening, all day on weekends) engine wear may become a concern. For a vehicle that will see a lot of use, I generally prefer a 180 degree F stat as a compromise.

Also, depending on how stringent the emissions requirements are in your area (California is bad), combined with the modifications to the vehicle, and the overall condition of the engine - using a 160 degree F stat may make meeting emissions requirements more challenging.

[pajeff02]

180 is almost my preferred temp when I buy a replacement stat for a vehicle.