I know this is in a few threads but...

Whats a good website to buy this from? How much cash? And other then the thermostat itself, what other items do I need to make this thing work flawlessly? I hear all mixed reactions, I just want the car to run better!!

 

it's a good mod, just make sure you get the correct reverse flow thermostat - I don't think your local auto parts store will have them. I went with a hypertech brand unit from Summit, it's been perfect for a year, car never goes over 160-170 unless it's over 90 OAT & I'm sitting in traffic for 10-15 min, then the fans come on & bring it down again. Nothing else required, but you can benefit from more aggressive tuning once you have it installed.

 

Reverse Flow? umm... huh? I just want to get the right one for my 96 WS6 6 Speed!! L0L If I need just the thermostat and some other things or not? I would hate to waste money...

 

A manual fan switch or programming to turn the fans on earlier is always a good idea, but not necessary. You may also want to flush out your old coolant and add some new while your at it as well. Its a very, very easy install and you dont need a gasket or anything like that.

Here is a link to a supporting advertiser and one of my favorites.

Thunderracing.com LT1 thermostat

 

I literally just finished up putting the hypertech 160* tstat in my LT1 a few hours ago. Bought it from summit racing for $26.90 shipped. Definatly go ahead and back-flush your coolant, I did mine after 125k miles and it was brown for a few minutes.

Your local parts dealers wont have it unless they carry Hypertech. If so ask for the hypertech part number HYP-1008 (summits part number but im sure its cross referenced)

You dont need anything else ot make the thermostat work correctly. Like said above you CAN get your computer reprogrammed to turn on the fans a little earlier. But Its not needed for the thermo to run.

Driving home in light traffic today engine didnt see the 1/4th mark at all. So im guessing its running around 170-180F.

 

Is it bad though to have your fans working so much harder? Because thats all the thermostat does right? Just turns the fans on earlier and has them on longer?

It was a REAL quick and easy install right? Remove the o ring, rip out, then put in, put back on O ring...?

 

actually u can buy a hypertech one from ur auto parts store...20 bucks and some change i belive

 

The ECM controls when to turn on and off the fans via a sensor located in the bottom right side of your water pump. The thermostat is 100% mechanical. Doesnt do anything but slowly open up as the tempature of the water running over it/thru it rises.

Very easy install, remove two 8mm bolts, pull housing up, remove old thermo, pop new one in, o-ring will already be on the new thermo if not just slide it around it. And set down on the waterpump, re-install housing.

 

The thermostat does not control the fans. Programming does. If only putting in the the 160° thermostat, your fans will run less. If you have the fan temps reprogrammed, they may or may not run more. It depends on your driving circumstances.

Look here for info on how to easily change the thermostat.

 

Whats "Thermostat Housing" and "Thermocycles?"

Also... the remote reservoir is just where you add the coolant/water right?

 

yes the remote reservoir is where you add overfill coolant and water to the system....it is located underneath the battery and has a neck that comes up for easy fill. As said all thermostats are is mechanical...they have wax that will melt at different temperatures and open up the thermostat allowing coolant to flow into the radiator and cool off.(195 degrees stock, 160 for the hypertech) The whole point of the thermostat is to block the coolant from the radiator at lower temps to allow the engine to come up to proper operating temperature, but the stock 195 is a little too high imo. The reason it is a good thing to have the fans come on earlier is that the radiator isnt too effecient (sp?) without air flowing through, so the coolant will cool off alot quicker with the fans on, unless your on the highway or something and then there is plenty of air flowing through.

The thermostat housing is just where you put the thermostat in, it has 2 bolts that hold it on and then you can pull it up and swap out the thermostats.

 

I bought 160 stat from Auto Zone. Just make sure you get the right one for an LT1 not just SBC.

 

A period where the engine is brought to operating temperature and then allowed to cool is a thermocycle.

 

Stock t'stat in an LT1 is 180degF.

 

Then why does auto zone sell a 195 degree thermostat listed as original equipment. Hypertech also has a 180 degree thermostat made for the lt1, and why would hypertech make a part that is exactly the same as the stock one, doesnt make any sense. Im sorry but unless you show me proof of it being 180 then as far as I'm concerned it is 195*.