160 degree stat.

[Black WS-6]

I noticed that the water pump on my 2002 WS-6 was leaking slightly around one of the gaskets leaving a small puddle on the garage floor. I removed the pump today and figured since I had the coolant drained I would replace the thermostat. I ordered the new pump from autozone and should be in tomorrow am. I also ordered a 160 degree thermostat. Does anyone have any problem running the 160 vs the factory one. I'm wondering if this might trip the check engine light since the vehicle won't be running at the regular temp it was designed for. Also does anyone see any benefit in running the lower temp one for better preformance?

[TmaxicanA]

the only thing that it will "hurt" is that it the heater will may not work as great or take longer too warm you up. and the benefit of running a 160 stat is a cooler motor runs stronger....as heat is an engines enemy.

i havent seen anyones SES light trip with it. doesnt mean its impossible, but you should be fine.

[Y2KPewterSS]

You won't trip any SES light.

[pajeff02]

To get the most out of your new thermostat you will need to reprogram your fan settings.

[Black WS-6]

To get the most out of your new thermostat you will need to reprogram your fan settings.

Can I still use the 160 without reprograming the fan? Will the 160 cause the fan not to kick on resulting in possible overheating?

[Black WS-6]

the only thing that it will "hurt" is that it the heater will may not work as great or take longer too warm you up. and the benefit of running a 160 stat is a cooler motor runs stronger....as heat is an engines enemy.

i havent seen anyones SES light trip with it. doesnt mean its impossible, but you should be fine.

Thanks. I'm not too concern about the heat since I only drive this vehicle in the spring and summer. Rest of the year it's hibernating in the garage.

[Y2KPewterSS]

Can I still use the 160 without reprograming the fan? Will the 160 cause the fan not to kick on resulting in possible overheating?

You can still use it, it won't cause adverse effects.

[RyanJM]

I have had the 160 for a couple yrs. Great in the TX heat but if the outside temp drops below 40 you lose your heater when driving and it's only slightly warm when parked idling. A 189 is better if you plan on using it in cold weather and want heat. Also fans are easy to program some shops will set them for you for a small charge or find someone with a handheld tuner there good for fan and tire changes but that is about it.

[pajeff02]

I went with a 180 degree thermostat in ours. Our temps generally range from around 185 to 194 depending upon speed and load. Stuck in traffic, on a hot day with the AC blasting, it climbed to 203. Still far better than the stock setup. Temps are being read with a scanner as our dash "temp approximator gauge" always reads 205, no matter what, once the engine is warmed up.

[dethinboots]

Doesn't a lower temp engine adversely affect the cleaning ability of the heat activated detergents?

[OLD Fart]

I am building a 1967 El Camino with a LS1 motor, My question is where do I locate the electric thermostat in the raditor top or bottom?
Old Fart

[pajeff02]

I am building a 1967 El Camino with a LS1 motor, My question is where do I locate the electric thermostat in the raditor top or bottom?
Old Fart

Electric thermostat? Are you referring to the temp switch to activate electric cooling fans?