160 degree legal?
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Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 254
From: Wilmington, De
160 degree legal?
Since I'm doing some winter time work on the car I thought I'd add a 160 degree thermostat but on SLP's web site it says "not legal for use on pollution controlled vehicles" Plus it's $29.95 for a thermostat. Seems high, is it that much better than something from AutoZone and can I even get one at an AutoZone or Pep Boys? Would I still be able to pass emission's? I have to go through a sniffer test every other year in Delaware.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 27,727
From: Little Rock, AR
They have to say that to cover their a$$. Many have gotten the Hypertech #1008 from Autozone, but you have to ask for it. Should be around $20. Don't let them sell you a regular SBC 160° thermostat.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 640
From: East Granby CT
160 Deg From SummitRacing.com
I've been running mine for 2 years and passed emissions twice
PS: How in the hell would any of the idiots checking emissions be able to tell you had 160 deg thermostat??? They don't do anything more than check for codes or run a tailpipe sniffer?? Unless you tell them they have to actually remove the T-stat to know....
Essentially well worth it to install and ZERO worries for emissions
I've been running mine for 2 years and passed emissions twice
PS: How in the hell would any of the idiots checking emissions be able to tell you had 160 deg thermostat??? They don't do anything more than check for codes or run a tailpipe sniffer?? Unless you tell them they have to actually remove the T-stat to know....
Essentially well worth it to install and ZERO worries for emissions
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 64
From: Daly City, CA
As everyone said, dont worry about it.
Just passed smog in CA this week, and my temp was low the entire time. This guy even spent a few extra minutes under the car looking at my cutout which has never happened before.
Just passed smog in CA this week, and my temp was low the entire time. This guy even spent a few extra minutes under the car looking at my cutout which has never happened before.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,037
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500' elevation
The thermostat maintains a minimum temperature in the cooling system. Once it's open, the engine can still get hotter than the rating if the cooling system can't remove the excess heat.
Why it's considered illegal is because pollution controlled vehicles are designed to run hot at 195-205*. A hot engine produces less emissions. The 160* thermostat makes more power by letting the engine run colder but that will also increase the emissions.
If the computer has been reprogrammed for a 160* thermostat, it shouldn't produce excess emissions.
Why it's considered illegal is because pollution controlled vehicles are designed to run hot at 195-205*. A hot engine produces less emissions. The 160* thermostat makes more power by letting the engine run colder but that will also increase the emissions.
If the computer has been reprogrammed for a 160* thermostat, it shouldn't produce excess emissions.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 640
From: East Granby CT
The thermostat maintains a minimum temperature in the cooling system. Once it's open, the engine can still get hotter than the rating if the cooling system can't remove the excess heat.
Why it's considered illegal is because pollution controlled vehicles are designed to run hot at 195-205*. A hot engine produces less emissions. The 160* thermostat makes more power by letting the engine run colder but that will also increase the emissions.
If the computer has been reprogrammed for a 160* thermostat, it shouldn't produce excess emissions.
Why it's considered illegal is because pollution controlled vehicles are designed to run hot at 195-205*. A hot engine produces less emissions. The 160* thermostat makes more power by letting the engine run colder but that will also increase the emissions.
If the computer has been reprogrammed for a 160* thermostat, it shouldn't produce excess emissions.
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