Coolant Temp question
 

Just a curious question but what coolant temps are you all seeing using a 160 thermostat? Mine has been running around 194 with all this cool weather. Just figure it should be lower but not sure. Don't want to run into any issues when it warms up.

Thanks for the info ahead of time.

160 degree means it opens at 160°, not that temps will be 160°. I see 204° At stop lights but 174° when temps are in the 50’s and I’m driving on the highway. Once the car is warmed up, the temp is the temp while sitting. Only driving on the highway will you really see some temp difference — if It’s hot outside (90° and above), it will have very little difference than a 180° t-stat..

-Don

Thanks I was just curious as it was 55 out this morning and I have a two hour commute and was going around 194 but it stayed constant. Thanks for the info

Did you get the car tuned, and have the fan points changed? If you just swap the thermostat, but don't change any of the fan settings, you'll keep higher temps like normal unless you are on the highway on a colder day getting nice cold ambient air.

Mine runs between 180 and 185 when it's hot out. My fans come on way before that temp. When it's cold out below 40 degrees F, it runs about 165-170. If you are running above that with a 160 thermostat either your fans are coming on late or you may still have air in the system.

the highest mine has ever gotten is 199 and that was in L.A. traffic with the AC on

other than that it usually hangs out around 185

Mine stays around 192 year round unless I'm in traffic.
I still have the Stock thermostat

Let's keep in mind that all these systems are pressurized, and temps over 212 degrees are not out of the norm, and are certainly not unsafe. I live in the desert, and even with a good aftermarket radiator, I still can see temps over that in extreme summer temps here while driving aggressively. Doesn't worry me. For those of you who live in more temperate areas, I guess something over 212 may seem high. It's not......

184-192 cruising, 192-194 in slow traffic, have seen 204 at long stops in hot weather, but comes down quick once moving. My fans have been tuned to come on around 187.

I live in the desert too, and for me these are the normal temperatures I see everyday (I'm still running the stock thermostat):

*188 to 192 cruising on the highway.
*210 to 224 idling in traffic at 85+ degrees.
*196 to 201 driving on the hwy with A/C on and 105+ degrees out.

When I see 224 idling in summer traffic i get a little nervous but I've seen other threads that LS engines tend to run hot.

In comparison, I have a 2017 Toyota Yaris and it has never gone over 198 degrees. I also have a 2009 Cobalt that I Uber the shit out of it and never sees over 210 degrees.

What temps do you think are the best at the drag strip.
Can you tell the difference between 160 and 190

A 160* thermostat is perfect for the dragstrip. The car runs better/faster at 170 or 180. Sitting in staging lanes, trying to keep the car cool or off as much as possible in the hot weather I saw 210*-225* quite a bit. The stock thermostat is a 187. I tried a 180, 174 and the 160 before I was satisfied. Changed out the thermostat, had my tune altered to have the fans come on earlier and now even on a hot day in the sun my car does not go over 185*. When you change your thermostat be sure to get all the air out of the system otherwise is will run hotter than it should with the new thermostat. I wasn't able to get all the air out until I pulled the top radiator hose and filled from there, it made a huge difference. Good luck and check out my Youtube channel for the video on how to change your thermostat. I really need to do a part 2 on that thermostat video to add to some of the stuff I learned over the couse of swapping and purging the system.

Thanks, I may go to a 160 thermostat someday.

Remember to get the car tuned if you do. No point if going with a 160 thermostat if not tuned for it. The upstream O2 sensors (for examaple) will likely complain about not getting hot enough quick enough and a CEL will be the likely outcome.

Timing and air/fuel ratio may be affected as well