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

cybercoaster · 04-21-2014, 02:44 PM

Who has put in a 160° Thermostat and did it make that big of a difference? My ZL1 is currently stock and wanting it to run at least a little cooler this summer. Is it worth the effort and money (little cost on both ends). What does your temp usually run at after putting one in?

BeachBum · 04-21-2014, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybercoaster

Who has put in a 160° Thermostat and did it make that big of a difference? My ZL1 is currently stock and wanting it to run at least a little cooler this summer. Is it worth the effort and money (little cost on both ends). What does your temp usually run at after putting one in?

I Too Want To Change To 160 Degree Thermostat - I've Been Told It Will Trigger A Sensor If I Change

TOYMARO · 04-21-2014, 05:26 PM

newagemuscle · 04-21-2014, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachBum

I Too Want To Change To 160 Degree Thermostat - I've Been Told It Will Trigger A Sensor If I Change

I did it when I put my blower on. No sensor issues.

Unreal · 04-21-2014, 05:36 PM

My opinion is lower thermostats don't do much. It will make the car heat up slower but once it is open it won't be any different than a 180 or 190, or whatever stock is.

Apex Paul · 04-21-2014, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybercoaster

Who has put in a 160° Thermostat and did it make that big of a difference? My ZL1 is currently stock and wanting it to run at least a little cooler this summer. Is it worth the effort and money (little cost on both ends). What does your temp usually run at after putting one in?

Stock thermostats are 185 degrees. GM's position is that this is the optimal temp for performance. You would be better off looking to get better cooling from your fans/radiator, since the thermostat only controls the lower temp, not the higher temps.

Baer383 · 04-21-2014, 05:51 PM

I'm making 754 rwhp and kept the stock thermostat instead of the 160 degree.

It is not needed in these engines!!!

strych9 · 04-21-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unreal

My opinion is lower thermostats don't do much. It will make the car heat up slower but once it is open it won't be any different than a 180 or 190, or whatever stock is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex Paul

Stock thermostats are 185 degrees. GM's position is that this is the optimal temp for performance. You would be better off looking to get better cooling from your fans/radiator, since the thermostat only controls the lower temp, not the higher temps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baer383

I'm making 754 rwhp and kept the stock thermostat instead of the 160 degree.

It is not needed in these engines!!!

Agreed 100% to all.

newagemuscle · 04-21-2014, 07:06 PM

Mine came free with my CAI 4 years ago. I had it sitting here so I decided to toss it in when I had the top off my motor for the blower. On these cars I can say I have not noticed much of a difference. However, on my LT1 it was a noticeable difference. Also, when I had my mustangs back in the day they always seemed to make a difference.

cvp33 · 04-21-2014, 07:35 PM

Good for 1/4 mile racing, but won't help you much on a road course. As already stated once it's open, it's open. Cheap enough mod though.

BigBlock69RS · 04-21-2014, 08:56 PM

All a 160 degre thermostat does it make the engine take longer to come up to temp. This increases engine wear since all the tolerances are off. Also reduced oil life, Fuel economy also suffers as does emissions.

If the motor never really comes up to temp (lots of short trips), It also causes acid and moisture to form in the oil leading to sludge which could lead to engine damage.

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

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-102/

Effects from low temp thermostats on engine and oil life:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...t&Number=50382

Stephen12ZL1 · 04-21-2014, 09:03 PM

geez...not this topic again. The "160 thermostat" that is being sold is more like 178. In old small blocks it really meant 160°.

GenF-GTS · 04-22-2014, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

geez...not this topic again. The "160 thermostat" that is being sold is more like 178. In old small blocks it really meant 160°.

it's actually not 178 it is 160, i have put an SLP one in a cook pot with a laser temperature sensor and it starts to crack open at about 152 and is near fully open at 160 at about 162 it is 100% open.

This is taking the temperature with the laser pointed directly at the thermostat on a hot plate in boiling water.

It also retracts and closes up in a similar fashion temperature wise.

cybercoaster · 04-23-2014, 12:47 PM

Thanks all

04-21-2014, 02:44 PM	#1
cybercoaster Drives: 2017 2SS 50th Anv, 1972 RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,588 View My Garage	160° Thermostat Who has put in a 160° Thermostat and did it make that big of a difference? My ZL1 is currently stock and wanting it to run at least a little cooler this summer. Is it worth the effort and money (little cost on both ends). What does your temp usually run at after putting one in?

04-21-2014, 05:36 PM	#5
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	My opinion is lower thermostats don't do much. It will make the car heat up slower but once it is open it won't be any different than a 180 or 190, or whatever stock is. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp

04-21-2014, 05:51 PM	#7
Baer383 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Ashen Gray Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Lawrenceville,Ga Posts: 668	I'm making 754 rwhp and kept the stock thermostat instead of the 160 degree. It is not needed in these engines!!! __________________ I don't have to know everything,I just need to know,what I need to know,when I need to know it! MODS, a lot of money,a lot of parts,a lot of time,a lot of patience. 754 RWHP 747 RWTQ 93 Octane http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347243

04-21-2014, 07:06 PM	#9
newagemuscle Philippians 4:13 Drives: SLP Supercharged LS3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Motor City - Michigan Posts: 2,902 View My Garage	Mine came free with my CAI 4 years ago. I had it sitting here so I decided to toss it in when I had the top off my motor for the blower. On these cars I can say I have not noticed much of a difference. However, on my LT1 it was a noticeable difference. Also, when I had my mustangs back in the day they always seemed to make a difference. __________________

04-21-2014, 08:56 PM	#11
BigBlock69RS Ed Drives: 2013 AGM Camaro 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 951	All a 160 degre thermostat does it make the engine take longer to come up to temp. This increases engine wear since all the tolerances are off. Also reduced oil life, Fuel economy also suffers as does emissions. If the motor never really comes up to temp (lots of short trips), It also causes acid and moisture to form in the oil leading to sludge which could lead to engine damage. http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/...l-temperature/ http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-102/ Effects from low temp thermostats on engine and oil life: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...t&Number=50382 __________________

04-21-2014, 05:26 PM	#3
TOYMARO Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: here Posts: 591

04-21-2014, 07:35 PM	#10
cvp33 America FVCK Yeah! Drives: 2021 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 1,388	Good for 1/4 mile racing, but won't help you much on a road course. As already stated once it's open, it's open. Cheap enough mod though.

04-21-2014, 09:03 PM	#12
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,809	geez...not this topic again. The "160 thermostat" that is being sold is more like 178. In old small blocks it really meant 160°. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

04-23-2014, 12:47 PM	#14
cybercoaster Drives: 2017 2SS 50th Anv, 1972 RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,588 View My Garage	Thanks all