Thermostat swap questions
 

Hi all, I'm looking into putting in a 160 degree thermostat ....got a few questions:

1) I've got the manual and read about replacing it ...but in real world terms ...how hard is it to do?

2) How much of a difference does this mod make?

3) Do I need to get re-tuned again ...and spend umpteen days hoping to hear back from Charlie Wheatly ...great results, but don't get me started on his customer service. lol

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

Not hard at all. You will need at least 2 gallons of fluid to replace what falls out. When I changed mine I removed the air intake, unbolted the cap(located on the passenger side front of the motor), Killed the grass under the truck, and installed the new T stat.

I did many mods at the same time....I don't know about performance......Ultimately, a cool engine is a healthy engine.

Retuning may be nessesary because you have electric fans. The sensors will need to be adjusted to turn on your fans at a lower temp.

Also, I went to 180 not 160.....I am Hypertech programmed and the program does not go lower.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

Going to 160 isn't worth it anyways when you consider gas milage (an d emissions if you care). 180 allows the engine to run cooler but still keep it in a healthy operating temp range to get good power/mpg.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

So,it sounds like the160 would be counter productive.... back to the auto parts store. lol

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

Nascar - optimun operating temp......210!!!

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

A couple guys on here use 160 t-stats, and have had no issues and alot of improvement, you may want to check with popo or MrLM7, I can't remember which.

As far as what nascar uses, they are also running 800 HP

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

I got the 160 degree thermostat and have had no problems with it, but i do live in Mass. and havent tried to pass inspections yet....

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

A cooler engine uses more fuel

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

I talked to one guy on CarDomain who has the 160* thermostat in his VHO and he said there is hardly any differencein normal operating temp and performance. He said it wasn't worth it.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

a cooler engine is NOT more efficient? Is it the density factor?

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

cooler denser air, more fuel, more power. If you take it easy, better milage.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

The ecm monitors engine temp (among everything else)...Remember...no choke....cold,the engine has to have more fuel just as your choke did...the engine runs most efficient hot

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

That makes sense. So really if we want to optimize are cooling system we should maybe look at getting abetter, more race inspiredradiator, and electric cooling fans.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

electric fans help a lot..but i gauran-f'n-tee ya,your dropping mpg by putting cold stats in

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

does anybody make a selectable t-stat? or adjustable? If not then they should.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

I have a 160 in mine and noticed like 5 miles less to the tank... Made more power, too... I'd say get the 160 and toss it in there... You will love the results... And it WILL kill your grass!!!

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

Then you won't have to worry about cutting the grass, and will have more time for mods.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

Most vehicle thermostats are a made by expanding metal opening a valve to let colder radiator water into the engine. So, a 180 degree thermostat essentially just opens and closes a little at a time to balance the internal engine temp to 180 degrees. I don't know about newer vehicles or not but the only way you could have a selectable thermostat would be to put a thermometer, computer (or mechanical switch), and a actuating valve.

Much simpler are metal expansion valves :)

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

Or, hook up to tubes with different thermostats in them, and havetwoselectable switches as to which tube is used.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

It's like a 2" hose, isn't it? You'd need like a steam valve to do the switching. Still, on the older engines, it's two bolts. For the cost of about an hour of work and two little gaskets every six months, it wouldn't be hard to do it manually. (Not sure about new engines)

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

I did notice a drop in mpg's when i put in the 180 but i like the power more.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

Hey popo, how many mpg do you think you lost? I'm going for more mpg but at the same time i would rather have the power.
I tried to put in the 180 deg. hypertech powerstat but the guys at detriot speed sold me an ls1 setup that, as i found out does not even fit into the waterpump inlet. I'm thinking it was for the 03' and older as mine isan 04'. Does anyone know of this change?
Ryan

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

I have noticed that most of the parts I look up seem to stop at 2003 (example:1995-2003) so it probably is different. As far as MPG's go i think i may have lost 1 or 2. I avg 17-18 mpg not too bad considering I don't really baby the throttle. I don't think that I will change back until gas breaks the $4 mark. I say go for it and save the stock one if you don't like it. If you're carefull you should only lose about 2 cups of coolant during the install.

RE: Thermostat swap questions
 

I got freakin hills to worry about or else I'd go for it. I drove my truck to Florida and back this past year. I got twice the gas milage down South compared to PA, VW, VA areas. I never realized how much PA hilly terrain killed my mph until then. I mean I used 1 tank from Pittsburgh PA to VA state line, then one more form VA to the South Carolina state line. I only used 1 tank of gas from South Carolina to St. Petersburgh Florida. I'm trying to focus on fuel saving mods after that trip.