160º is just when the thermostat opens. Your engine will normally run 10º-15º hotter than that, except in extreme cold. If you are running 5W-30 oil like you should in the winter, there won't be any problems. I put the 180º back in in the winter time.

If you are concerned about it, leave the 180º thermostat in and have the fans reprogrammed like I said, earlier.

 

Also, to run cooler, you want to run mostly water with a bottle of Red Line Water Wetter in the summer and switch back to 50/50 water/glycol in the winter. And remember to use distilled water not tap water.

 

So if I get that tech page right I could be making my car slower due to fuel not being burned correctly?? I just want to keep my car running cool on hot days. but I dont want any problems due to running 160 thermo. but it seems like alot of people are doing it with no problem. I guess if the cars running good dont mess with it.

 

The page states that it is possible to see a decrease in gas mileage. That would indicate a reduction in combustion efficiency (all other things being equal). The 160º 'stat does not bother most people, especially in the warm weather months.

 

Can I get those fan on/off switches at like AutoZone? If so then I can finally move on to a stall converter(auto tranny )

 

I guess I will try a 160 and see what happens thanks for all the info.

 

this was actually my first mod, a 160 stat with stock programming. i did this because when the car temp was 220-230 it ran like an old dog...it seemed that it ran so much better when the temp was around 180, now with 160 stat, programming, egr!,air!,coated headers,cat!, the car never gets above 180 idling in traffic on a hot day, and it runs around 170 on the highway. i like it running cool

 

I have had one in for like 4 years, never had a problem.
No heat in winter but I can stand it, especially since I have another car to drive now.

 

Any dyno tech will tell you that the best engine temp for performance in most engines is 160-180degrees. At higher temperatures the compression is actually slightly higher due to heat expanding in the chamber but increased heat causes air to expand before it gets into the cylander and can cause detenation which retards timing and resaults in a loss of power. The factory thermostat is set where it is to keep temperatures up (around 200) for better emissions and fuel economy. with the 160 you may loose a 1mpg abd pollute a bit more but it is the best for performance. Ive seen people with 135 on lt-1s which i do not reccomend, but 160 is fine. Oil is rated for flow at 0 and 200? or 212? I forget but that doesnt mean it has to be at that temperature to operate properly. It just states the viscosity at low/high temp.
If you are worried about the oil not heating up enough use 5W30 unless you are in a hot climate.