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

MustangKiller · 09-28-2012, 09:04 PM

What are everyones opinions and experiences with switching too a 160 stat? Also wont the viscosity suffer slightly and what about moisture buildup in cooler temps in fall winter?

nighttowl · 09-28-2012, 11:39 PM

it will just take longer to get to operating temperature. unless you upgrade the radiator, it will run the same temperature. stock temp is already 185.

TheHorse13 · 09-29-2012, 06:36 AM

I asked this question to a well known engine builder and I was told that it's not a good idea to drop a 160 thermostat in the car. The tolerances are such with these motors that it must get to the proper operating temperature for the engine to run right. I also recall an enitre thread on this topic and the same conclusion was reached.

Higgs Boson · 09-29-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHorse13

I asked this question to a well known engine builder and I was told that it's not a good idea to drop a 160 thermostat in the car. The tolerances are such with these motors that it must get to the proper operating temperature for the engine to run right. I also recall an enitre thread on this topic and the same conclusion was reached.

i recall a thread where the opposite conclusion was reached.

litle88 · 09-29-2012, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgs Boson

i recall a thread where the opposite conclusion was reached.

Ohhh yea I remember that one too! Excellent info. Lol

My first mod was kooks headers, chokemaster 3" catback with center mount exhaust, 160 stat, VARARAM and tuned.

Pro Stock John · 09-29-2012, 09:42 AM

Right so these cars will never actually sit at 160F with the stock water pump, that is a fact. Folks who have one should post what their lowest temps are at idle and and cruising.

I will do one for next year, my car won't cool lower than 194 idling in the staging lanes and I want mid to high 180's. My car will sometimes get to the high 180's at cruise.

And I'd like to hear from someone who has one and what their temps are when it's freezing out.

white ZL1 · 09-29-2012, 10:17 AM

idling mine runs up to 203 before the fans kick on
75mph on the interstate and it'll hover in the mid 170's, unless it's 100+ degrees ambient then it sits around 180
I think I'm going to eventually upgrade to 2 bar in HPT so that I can control the fans at lower temps than the stock OS allows

Rage · 09-29-2012, 10:29 AM

I wouldn't do it, and haven't done it. My shop advised against it, and one of the more respected builders on this sit, Jannety, said that they do more harm than good.

L99CAMA2011 · 09-29-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white 2SS/RS

idling mine runs up to 203 before the fans kick on
75mph on the interstate and it'll hover in the mid 170's, unless it's 100+ degrees ambient then it sits around 180
I think I'm going to eventually upgrade to 2 bar in HPT so that I can control the fans at lower temps than the stock OS allows

Damn and you're in Texas. My 2011 A6 ran at 190 or above after warm up and reached maybe 207 and then the fans would kick in. In the winter it runs hotter I guess to keep things warmer in the car. 170 degrees on the highway is pretty damn good. As far as cooling is concerned, get a larger raidiator, water wetter additive that worked for me in providing better maintained performance, ZL-1 facia along with a vented hood and be all set.

Higgs Boson · 09-29-2012, 01:03 PM

160 degree thermostat will run between 180 and 195, never even needing the fans to kick on and this is in 100 degree texas summer. just ime.

BlaqWhole · 09-29-2012, 06:15 PM

See I never saw the benefit of running a lower thermostat on anything but a fully built engine...or if you're in extremely hot climates. And these cars do well even in extremely hot climates. I mean, if your engine is running in the normal temps, then everything is fine and there is no need for a colder stat. If your engine is overheating, then there is something wrong that needs to be fixed. It just seems like a useless modification.

VADER SS L99 · 09-29-2012, 06:37 PM

this is a huge debate. Top shops in the north say stock. Top shops in the south say 160. I think everyone can figure out why. BTW I run a 160 and I dont think I have ever seen past 195. We get 110 degree temps here.

mikeSS · 09-29-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

this is a huge debate. Top shops in the north say stock. Top shops in the south say 160. I think everyone can figure out why. .

lol

Rage · 09-29-2012, 07:22 PM

I'm in south Florida.... None of the big shops use them. Just saying. Not just my opinion, but that of 4 of the most reputable shops in all of south Florida.

09-28-2012, 09:04 PM	#1
MustangKiller Drives: 2013 2ss/rs A6 yellow !!!!! Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Woodbine Maryland Posts: 659	160 thermostat What are everyones opinions and experiences with switching too a 160 stat? Also wont the viscosity suffer slightly and what about moisture buildup in cooler temps in fall winter?

09-28-2012, 11:39 PM	#2
nighttowl Sarcasm loading -------- Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: TX Posts: 1,808 View My Garage	it will just take longer to get to operating temperature. unless you upgrade the radiator, it will run the same temperature. stock temp is already 185. __________________ "The salesman actually told me to stop getting it sideways during the test drive" 2018 MBM ZL1 1LE - Stock 2014 CRT ZL1 574 rwhp, 537 rwtq - SOLD 2010 IBM SS Camaro VVT L99 w/ TR6060 swap, 489 rwhp, 444 rwtq - SOLD

09-29-2012, 09:42 AM	#6
Pro Stock John Writer Drives: 2010 SS / 1967 Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 7,216	Right so these cars will never actually sit at 160F with the stock water pump, that is a fact. Folks who have one should post what their lowest temps are at idle and and cruising. I will do one for next year, my car won't cool lower than 194 idling in the staging lanes and I want mid to high 180's. My car will sometimes get to the high 180's at cruise. And I'd like to hear from someone who has one and what their temps are when it's freezing out. __________________ PROJECT HEAVY CHEVY Camaro Now: Mods for the Masses Part I \| Part II 13.15@106 1.95 \| 100% Stock 12.37@112 1.85 \| + Kooks Headers/Cats + 20" 555R + CAI + BW TB + UDP + Tune 12.06@113 1.70 \| + CD 3200 + 18" NT05R + RCR Intake + NE OTR + GPI Tune 11.84@115 1.59 \| + 3.91s + Race Star 17x7 Fronts 10.90@125 1.47 \| + GPI VVT Cam + BW Ported Heads + CD 3800

09-29-2012, 10:29 AM	#8
Rage TRI-COUNTY CAMARO... FTW! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Cyber Grey Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,200 View My Garage	I wouldn't do it, and haven't done it. My shop advised against it, and one of the more respected builders on this sit, Jannety, said that they do more harm than good. __________________ CAI inc. cold air intake, LG G6x3 cam, Patriot Gold Extreme Dual springs, Titanium retainers and locks, LG SuperPro 1 7/8 Long Tube headers with full 3" exhaust, DynoMax VT mufflers, SLP 4" tips, Moroso catch can, Race Ready electronic exhaust cut outs, Full painted Razzi body kit, Headlight Armor Smoke taillight and marker blackouts, T-Rex aluminum upper and lower grille, Polished aluminum front and rear bowties. Professionally installed and Dyno Tuned by HorsePower Sales, Pompano Beach FL.

09-29-2012, 06:37 PM	#12
VADER SS L99 Drives: 2013 A6 GT 5.0 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 2,909	this is a huge debate. Top shops in the north say stock. Top shops in the south say 160. I think everyone can figure out why. BTW I run a 160 and I dont think I have ever seen past 195. We get 110 degree temps here. __________________ BLK/BLK 1SS/RS Ordered 11-01-2009 Took delivery 12-22-2009. Heads/cam/converter/bolt ons. SOLD Feb 2015 to fund 6th gen LT1 SS with 8L90E.

09-29-2012, 06:36 AM	#3
TheHorse13 Drives: 2011 Black SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 1,116	I asked this question to a well known engine builder and I was told that it's not a good idea to drop a 160 thermostat in the car. The tolerances are such with these motors that it must get to the proper operating temperature for the engine to run right. I also recall an enitre thread on this topic and the same conclusion was reached.

09-29-2012, 10:17 AM	#7
white ZL1 Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: DFW area Posts: 1,844	idling mine runs up to 203 before the fans kick on 75mph on the interstate and it'll hover in the mid 170's, unless it's 100+ degrees ambient then it sits around 180 I think I'm going to eventually upgrade to 2 bar in HPT so that I can control the fans at lower temps than the stock OS allows

09-29-2012, 01:03 PM	#10
Higgs Boson Perpetual Order Drives: indeed Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 1,277	160 degree thermostat will run between 180 and 195, never even needing the fans to kick on and this is in 100 degree texas summer. just ime.

09-29-2012, 06:15 PM	#11
BlaqWhole Account Suspended Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 7,692	See I never saw the benefit of running a lower thermostat on anything but a fully built engine...or if you're in extremely hot climates. And these cars do well even in extremely hot climates. I mean, if your engine is running in the normal temps, then everything is fine and there is no need for a colder stat. If your engine is overheating, then there is something wrong that needs to be fixed. It just seems like a useless modification.

09-29-2012, 07:22 PM	#14
Rage TRI-COUNTY CAMARO... FTW! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Cyber Grey Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,200 View My Garage	I'm in south Florida.... None of the big shops use them. Just saying. Not just my opinion, but that of 4 of the most reputable shops in all of south Florida. __________________ CAI inc. cold air intake, LG G6x3 cam, Patriot Gold Extreme Dual springs, Titanium retainers and locks, LG SuperPro 1 7/8 Long Tube headers with full 3" exhaust, DynoMax VT mufflers, SLP 4" tips, Moroso catch can, Race Ready electronic exhaust cut outs, Full painted Razzi body kit, Headlight Armor Smoke taillight and marker blackouts, T-Rex aluminum upper and lower grille, Polished aluminum front and rear bowties. Professionally installed and Dyno Tuned by HorsePower Sales, Pompano Beach FL.