160 Thermostat - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

My First Camaro! · 08-04-2009, 04:23 PM

Is their any tuning required for a cooler Thermostat? Any idea how would a stock PCM would respond? Thanks.

LPFSTheFett · 08-04-2009, 09:55 PM

You can do it, I did it in my 06 Vett. The coolant temps jump a lot more because the fans aren't programed correct. Going down the freeway, my temps would be 170, then in stop and go traffic it would be at the stock 210. Program the fans and it would run 170 all the time.

The thermostat helps A LOT though, atleast on my LS2 Vett. Business partner and I had identical cars running identical times at the drag strip. We did a top speed run(on airport runway) and our cars pulled dead even from 40-130. Then from 130-160 my car pulled 3 cars on him, it was like I sprayed the car. The only thing we can think is my car stayed cool on the big end where his just didn't. So you can figure, when we started the run my car was at 170ish and he was already at 200/210.

Vash · 08-04-2009, 10:49 PM

I would advise against it for a stock HP motor. Leave it stock temp.

hot ss · 08-04-2009, 10:58 PM

just tune the fans to come on sooner

*CamaroSpike23* · 08-04-2009, 11:15 PM

like theFett said, you can do it. tho while you are at a standstill, your temps will still climb to 210 until your fans come on. while you are moving it will keep you cooler tho.

ZZcamaro · 08-04-2009, 11:20 PM

I did it to my car...

You can certainly do it...but for the full benefit you need to adjust your fans either with a tune, or a handheld programmer. I sell both!

It will not cause negative effects if it is not tuned...you will just get better results if you do adjust for it!

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 08-04-2009, 11:26 PM

The fans on the camaro come on at 190 this car dos not get passed 210, In this part of AZ the temp is 110+ this time of the year.

hot ss · 08-04-2009, 11:33 PM

a colder stat doesnt really help you once your heatsoaked to death.
my ls1 eventually ran 190 in summer with a 160. i expect the camaro to be no different.
i say tune and 160 and a blower! ask zz for his shizzaZZLE.

Vash · 08-05-2009, 03:00 AM

Not only that if your engine blows and they find that t-stat you could be in for a nice bill because it voids the warranty. Guess how much Crate LS3 or L99 is, installed?

Lot more than a thermostat costs.

JTinFL · 08-05-2009, 03:51 AM

I would adjust the fans to come on sooner if you are worried about it. Even with a colder thermostat the car will still heat up to the factory temps because the fans are adjusted to come on at a certain temp.

If you combined the thermostat and fan tuning, you will have lower overall temps.

GM4lyfe · 08-05-2009, 01:56 PM

Just like everyone else said, ECM must be reprogrammed, to take full benifit of the lower thermostat. I added a 160 after my tuner told me to put one in because of the 100+ temps during the summer months. Don't harm the car during the winter.

My First Camaro! · 08-05-2009, 03:55 PM

Great info, Thanks!

CGM2SSRS · 08-05-2009, 07:55 PM

This question will forever be a debate of preference. I personally am in the group for a cooler running engine. My reason however is not for the obvious heat soak/performance line. I look at it in the long term. When you can reduce operating temperatures for years,you will without a doubt extend the life of the pump. This is a fact that cannot be refuted. Period.

GEN-IV · 08-05-2009, 07:59 PM

Wouldn't a non-GM reflash kill your warranty faster than a cooler thermostat?

08-04-2009, 04:23 PM	#1
My First Camaro! Drives: '18 5.7 RAM 1500 18' 1SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA Posts: 156	160 Thermostat Is their any tuning required for a cooler Thermostat? Any idea how would a stock PCM would respond? Thanks.

08-04-2009, 10:58 PM	#4
hot ss Drives: aqua 2ss l99 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,215	just tune the fans to come on sooner __________________ May your exhaust note, sing in harmony with your blower.

08-04-2009, 11:33 PM	#8
hot ss Drives: aqua 2ss l99 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,215	a colder stat doesnt really help you once your heatsoaked to death. my ls1 eventually ran 190 in summer with a 160. i expect the camaro to be no different. i say tune and 160 and a blower! ask zz for his shizzaZZLE. __________________ May your exhaust note, sing in harmony with your blower.

08-05-2009, 01:56 PM	#11
GM4lyfe A GM nut-swinger! Drives: A Car Join Date: May 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 262	Just like everyone else said, ECM must be reprogrammed, to take full benifit of the lower thermostat. I added a 160 after my tuner told me to put one in because of the 100+ temps during the summer months. Don't harm the car during the winter. __________________ 2004 GTO Quicksilver 2009 G8 Liquid Red 2005 CTS-V Black Raven

08-05-2009, 07:59 PM	#14
GEN-IV Right Cam Drives: 2010 LS3 / 79 Z28 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 508	Wouldn't a non-GM reflash kill your warranty faster than a cooler thermostat? __________________ 2010 2SS/RS M6 CGM E-Force + 2015 1LT V6/A6

08-04-2009, 09:55 PM	#2
LPFSTheFett Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 60	You can do it, I did it in my 06 Vett. The coolant temps jump a lot more because the fans aren't programed correct. Going down the freeway, my temps would be 170, then in stop and go traffic it would be at the stock 210. Program the fans and it would run 170 all the time. The thermostat helps A LOT though, atleast on my LS2 Vett. Business partner and I had identical cars running identical times at the drag strip. We did a top speed run(on airport runway) and our cars pulled dead even from 40-130. Then from 130-160 my car pulled 3 cars on him, it was like I sprayed the car. The only thing we can think is my car stayed cool on the big end where his just didn't. So you can figure, when we started the run my car was at 170ish and he was already at 200/210.

08-04-2009, 10:49 PM	#3
Vash Drives: 00 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,104	I would advise against it for a stock HP motor. Leave it stock temp.

08-04-2009, 11:20 PM	#6
ZZcamaro Drives: 2SS w/ ZZ427 Package!! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,700	I did it to my car... You can certainly do it...but for the full benefit you need to adjust your fans either with a tune, or a handheld programmer. I sell both! It will not cause negative effects if it is not tuned...you will just get better results if you do adjust for it!

08-04-2009, 11:26 PM	#7
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	The fans on the camaro come on at 190 this car dos not get passed 210, In this part of AZ the temp is 110+ this time of the year.

08-05-2009, 03:00 AM	#9
Vash Drives: 00 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,104	Not only that if your engine blows and they find that t-stat you could be in for a nice bill because it voids the warranty. Guess how much Crate LS3 or L99 is, installed? Lot more than a thermostat costs.

08-05-2009, 03:51 AM	#10
JTinFL Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 310	I would adjust the fans to come on sooner if you are worried about it. Even with a colder thermostat the car will still heat up to the factory temps because the fans are adjusted to come on at a certain temp. If you combined the thermostat and fan tuning, you will have lower overall temps.

08-05-2009, 03:55 PM	#12
My First Camaro! Drives: '18 5.7 RAM 1500 18' 1SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA Posts: 156	Great info, Thanks!

08-05-2009, 07:55 PM	#13
CGM2SSRS susp.ban4life! Drives: Raptor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Notinsuspensionthread Posts: 943	This question will forever be a debate of preference. I personally am in the group for a cooler running engine. My reason however is not for the obvious heat soak/performance line. I look at it in the long term. When you can reduce operating temperatures for years,you will without a doubt extend the life of the pump. This is a fact that cannot be refuted. Period.

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