Installing a 160 Thermostat

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by BigBlock69RS

Except that 160 is not operating temperature. There is a lot of data pointing to longest engine life being achieved by getting the engine up to temp quick and opening the thermostat at 160 is not that temp.

Engine oil
Engine oil flow is dramatically different with even just a 20 degree difference in temperature. Engine oil also takes a lot longer to come up to temp than the coolant. Oil is typically 10-15 degrees hotter and needs to be around 220 for proper flow and to burn off the contaiments and water from the combustion process.

Even 15-20 minutes might not result in getting the engine oil up to temp completely.

Tolerances
Engines also experience the most wear when cold. That couple of minutes actually matters, especially if you do lots of short trips. If temperature doenst matter why don't you thrash on your car just when you start it up?

Look, engine machining spends a lot of effort on tolerances. They even spend a lot of effort heating up the things they are going to machine to the operating temperature so that the tolerances are just right.

That is difference between an engine that only lasts 50k miles and one that lasts 250k+ good tolerances and even oiling across all bearing surfaces. Both of which aren't close to ideal when cold.

Here is a good read:
http://www.wearcheck.com/literature/techdoc/WZA043.pdf
Look for the section low oil operating temp

Another:
http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/...l-temperature/


http://www.hotrod.com/feature_storie...l_temperature/


Oil Temperature And Engine Life
Why Is Proper Temperature So Important?
http://www.elephantracing.com/techto...emperature.htm

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=289131
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/art...lippery-slope/
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=3099554

You can believe what you want, but I'll go with the engine machinists, oil manufactures, and car manufacturers recommended temperatures who have spent a lot of money and have a lot data from studying this.

It is amazing what you can find with a little research.

Great Write up.

Ted.

[Camarojt]

Originally Posted by BigBlock69RS

Except that 160 is not operating temperature. There is a lot of data pointing to longest engine life being achieved by getting the engine up to temp quick and opening the thermostat at 160 is not that temp.

Engine oil
Engine oil flow is dramatically different with even just a 20 degree difference in temperature. Engine oil also takes a lot longer to come up to temp than the coolant. Oil is typically 10-15 degrees hotter and needs to be around 220 for proper flow and to burn off the contaiments and water from the combustion process.

Even 15-20 minutes might not result in getting the engine oil up to temp completely.

Tolerances
Engines also experience the most wear when cold. That couple of minutes actually matters, especially if you do lots of short trips. If temperature doenst matter why don't you thrash on your car just when you start it up?

Look, engine machining spends a lot of effort on tolerances. They even spend a lot of effort heating up the things they are going to machine to the operating temperature so that the tolerances are just right.

That is difference between an engine that only lasts 50k miles and one that lasts 250k+ good tolerances and even oiling across all bearing surfaces. Both of which aren't close to ideal when cold.

Here is a good read:
http://www.wearcheck.com/literature/techdoc/WZA043.pdf
Look for the section low oil operating temp

Another:
http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/...l-temperature/


http://www.hotrod.com/feature_storie...l_temperature/


Oil Temperature And Engine Life
Why Is Proper Temperature So Important?
http://www.elephantracing.com/techto...emperature.htm

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=289131
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/art...lippery-slope/
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=3099554

You can believe what you want, but I'll go with the engine machinists, oil manufactures, and car manufacturers recommended temperatures who have spent a lot of money and have a lot data from studying this.

Just to answer your question, the reason I don't thrash my car when I first start it up is Bc IT'S DEAD COLD. 160 is far from dead cold.

This is one of those topics that your either for or against. I have not seen multiple engine failures due to running a 160 stat and I don't buy any of the info that points that the 26ish degrees of difference for a short time frame makes any noticeable difference.

But for agreements sake, lets say you are 100% right and it actually does cause more wear to run a 160 vs stock. I didn't buy my car to get 200,000 miles out if it! I bought my car to be able to mod it and race it! The 160 stat accomplishes 1 thing that I care about. LOWER TEMPS especially in HOT WEATHER IN TEXAS! If a guy is considering a 160 stat and does no racing or doesn't live in high temp areas then yes I agree, probably doesn't need one.
My car does not get romped on when the "oil temps" are cold. It's the coolant temps that I'm trying to bring down for racing. My oil has already been brought to temp.

the logic behind not installing a 160 stat Bc "it causes more wear" is like saying dont "cam" or "supercharge" your car Bc it adds stress to the engine and increases the likelihood of engine failure! Nobody debates the logic there?? So why this stead strong heals dug in debate over such a tiny mod that barely changes anything? Bc a few people have an opinion? Or maybe it's Bc a 160 stat doesn't create 60-100hp to oooh and Ahhh about like a cam or supercharger.
Also the term "operating temp" is a term that is recommended by the manufacturer. And if we should only go by what they say then half the mods we do go out the window!!

So if getting 200,000 miles out of your car and getting every mile/per gallon is your goal from your car, then just stay stock.

My goals are to be fast!