I'm about to throw in a hypertech 160 thermo soon. Shoud I also get a manual fan switch as well and is it a must?

 

the hypertech thermostat is nice but expensive. have you already bought one? the some 160 that goes in a LT1 goes in other 350s and costs a whole lot less at auto zone or advance auto parts. unless you like buying the name hypertech. go in and ask for a chevy 350 160* thermo. it is the same. Ive used them for years on my 93s. usually no more than $4-5.00 + gasket. and don't over tighten thermostat housing bolts! makes for a bad day. been-t-d-that. just my experiences. thought i'd share and maybe help you save some $$$!

 

The other Thermostats for SBC's aren't the same as LT1's. The LT1 thermostat is the only one you should use because of the reverse flow cooling system. I would get the Hypertech since it's the only 160 out there for the LT1

 

Just for the record.. they DO work. I've tried em.

 

They do work, but not as well. The longer LT1 stat plugs a hole in the water pump when it is active. This holes sends coolant back thru the engine when the stat is closed. So, some of the hot coolant that should be going to the radiator, will go back into the engine.

In this link look at the picture in the top right hand corner. Inside the pump you can see the hole I speak off.

http://csce.uark.edu/~jgbertr/rb/tstat.jpg

 

Sorry. But you are WRONG. The cooling system might work but for sure NOT correctly and could cause overheating and other problems. Do not give bad advise when you dont know what you are talking about,please

 

They might work but that does not mean they work correctly.
The other guys are correct use the Tstat made for LT1s.
Really its not so expensive a part that you need to skimp on it.

 

i think i only paid 20 bucks at auto zone for mine!!! thats not alot of money!

 

i only paid 12 for mine shipped 12.70 i think somewher aroudn there. so if its 5 plus a gasket call it a dolla thats 6 bucks for the wrong thermo will i only paid about 7 bucks more for the right one. the SBC thermo is shorter then the reverse cooling hypertech the correct one. just make sure you get the reverse cooling one. they are different from any other thermo i have seen. better to be right then wrong. hell if you take the old thermo out the stock one, look at it and compare it to the hypertech the same, but if you take the stock one compare it to an autozone sbc one theres a difference ull see.