Ordered my SLP 160* Thermostat
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 96
Ordered my SLP 160* Thermostat
First "mod" on my car. I'm pretty stoked 
Through word of mouth and just by observing I found out that a lot of people prefer this over a 180* stat so I went ahead and ordered a nice SLP piece. I really like the design of it because right now I'm running an AutoZone 180 which has a really small opening for the coolant to go through, smaller than the stock piece. The SLP part has a huge opening, much bigger than the autozone piece and certainly better than stock.
Now I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what the actual advantages of having a 160* stat are? Thanks a lot guys.
Through word of mouth and just by observing I found out that a lot of people prefer this over a 180* stat so I went ahead and ordered a nice SLP piece. I really like the design of it because right now I'm running an AutoZone 180 which has a really small opening for the coolant to go through, smaller than the stock piece. The SLP part has a huge opening, much bigger than the autozone piece and certainly better than stock.
Now I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what the actual advantages of having a 160* stat are? Thanks a lot guys.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 449
From: Queens, NY
The LT1s run really hot for better emmissions which makes power suffer. Run it cooler and you will see performance. Plus the coolant runs through the throttle body which heats up air coming into the motor unless you run the by-pass which is a mod which costs less then $10 and i don't know why i haven't gotten around to do it yet. Also with the motor running cooler you have less chance of detonation. The 160 degree thermostat is best used with a fan switch to make the fan turn on at a lower temperature also. Another way of doing that but it being more expensive is getting a hyper tech power programmer. I picked on up for $150 although i'm going to end up selling it once i get my PCM custom programmed after some big mods.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 958
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Go
the 160 tstat wont really help you unless you have the fans turn on earlier or have a manual fan switch installed. What it does is open up at 160 degrees instead of the stock like 195 or something (not sure) allowing the coolant to circulate through the radiator, but the radiator doesn't do much if the fans arent on to cool the coolant. Although I guess regular air from the air deflector coming up will cool it a little. I just did mine yesterday though and the fan switch as well, but with my fans off the temps still get up there, but as soon as I turn my fans on the temps noticebly drop quickly. As far as first real mods I would get a cold air induction and then work on your exhaust.....onto tires, then maybe gears....and so on and so on.
________
sweetpussyXxxX cam
________
sweetpussyXxxX cam
Last edited by MarkyMark; Sep 14, 2011 at 01:21 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 27,727
From: Little Rock, AR
Originally posted by CHRISCAMARO
with the 180 thermostat which would replace the 195, do i need the hypertech to recognize the 180? just curious. thank you
with the 180 thermostat which would replace the 195, do i need the hypertech to recognize the 180? just curious. thank you
from my Tech Page:
An often asked question is "Will my engine stay cooler with just a 160° thermostat?". The answer is yes, as long as there is good air flow across the radiator and the cooling system is working efficiently. Note that engine temps will still climb as they did before when you are stopped (as in traffic). However they may not rise as much, since you are starting out at a lower temperature than before. When you are moving again, it will be possible for the temps to lower more than what the 180° thermostat would previously allow. Cruising down the road, your engine should definitely stay cooler than before.
The thermostat only has control of opening temp to allow coolant flow, after that it does nothing but cause a predetermined amount of restriction in the flow. To make the most of the lower temperature thermostat, it should be accompanied by reprogramming of the fans, so that they will come on at a lower temperature. This will help to maintain a lower overall temperature in all driving conditions (especially when stopped in traffic). It is not mandatory that you do this and a 160º can be installed by itself with no other modification. You can see by the previous explanation though, how things can work together.
An often asked question is "Will my engine stay cooler with just a 160° thermostat?". The answer is yes, as long as there is good air flow across the radiator and the cooling system is working efficiently. Note that engine temps will still climb as they did before when you are stopped (as in traffic). However they may not rise as much, since you are starting out at a lower temperature than before. When you are moving again, it will be possible for the temps to lower more than what the 180° thermostat would previously allow. Cruising down the road, your engine should definitely stay cooler than before.
The thermostat only has control of opening temp to allow coolant flow, after that it does nothing but cause a predetermined amount of restriction in the flow. To make the most of the lower temperature thermostat, it should be accompanied by reprogramming of the fans, so that they will come on at a lower temperature. This will help to maintain a lower overall temperature in all driving conditions (especially when stopped in traffic). It is not mandatory that you do this and a 160º can be installed by itself with no other modification. You can see by the previous explanation though, how things can work together.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 8,319
From: US 1 Mile Marker 52 in the Florida Keys
"the 160 tstat wont really help you unless you have the fans turn on earlier or have a manual fan switch installed"
this is not completly true
when sitting in traffic or in the staging lanes there will be little or no benefit from the lower stat.
HOWEVER...as soon as you start moving, and have airflow over the radiator, the benefits of the lower stat are iin full effect regardless of what temp the fans come on at! i hate guys saying that 160* stats are not effective without the fans programed...cause it's not true.
i drove with the stat for 2 yrs on my old lt1, used a fan switch about 10 times (traffic and 1 trip to the track). i was able to see the lower temps on the guage EVERY time i drove. and the fans were at stock settings.
this is not completly true
when sitting in traffic or in the staging lanes there will be little or no benefit from the lower stat.
HOWEVER...as soon as you start moving, and have airflow over the radiator, the benefits of the lower stat are iin full effect regardless of what temp the fans come on at! i hate guys saying that 160* stats are not effective without the fans programed...cause it's not true.
i drove with the stat for 2 yrs on my old lt1, used a fan switch about 10 times (traffic and 1 trip to the track). i was able to see the lower temps on the guage EVERY time i drove. and the fans were at stock settings.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 958
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Originally posted by teke184
"[i]
HOWEVER...as soon as you start moving, and have airflow over the radiator, the benefits of the lower stat are iin full effect regardless of what temp the fans come on at! i hate guys saying that 160* stats are not effective without the fans programed...cause it's not true.
"[i]
HOWEVER...as soon as you start moving, and have airflow over the radiator, the benefits of the lower stat are iin full effect regardless of what temp the fans come on at! i hate guys saying that 160* stats are not effective without the fans programed...cause it's not true.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
F'n1996Z28SS
Cars For Sale
8
Aug 23, 2023 11:19 PM
carguyshu
Parts For Sale
20
Jan 22, 2017 11:19 AM
PFYC
Supporting Vendor Group Purchases and Sales
0
Jan 23, 2015 01:13 PM