Hello. I had just decided to get a 160 Hypertech Powerstat, to go along with my Power Programmer, but after searching the topic on these forums, I am confused. Is is true or not that a 160 thermo will cause you engine to stay too cool, and increase engine wear? There are so many different opinions on this....I wish someone could tell me for sure. Also would my engine stay in closed loop?

 

I have never seen any documented engine wear issues. Closed loop is not an issue as the minimum temp is ~140°.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, Shoebox.

 

Cause engine wear? No.
In fact my LT1 has had a 160 stat in it for over 100k. It has 156k on it now and I am convinced that part of the great luck with this engine I have had is in part due to it running cooler for most of its life.
And like Shoebox said, it going into closed loop is a non issue.

 

I haven't experienced any premature engine wear on my engine and I've been running without a thermostat closing in on eight years now. You are going to two schools of thought: those who believe its a necessity and those who believe its not.

Johnny

 

I did notice that when I ran the 160 and the fans on all the time and the temp never went over 170 that when I would take off the oil filler cap there would be drops of water there (condensation I guess) but now I turn the fans off most of the time and let her get up to around 210 and no more water!
Bill

 

The drops of water in the top of the oil cap and or valvecover are normal.

I have had a 160 deg thermostat in an LT1 since 1993 and have had no problems with wear (have had problems with me breaking stuff though...lol)

We don't have extremely cold winters here, but we get below 20 degrees several times and my heater has worked fine when the engine temp reaches normal.

 

Ok, what about gas mileage? Are you guys seeing any difference between a 160 and 180 thermostat?

 

No engine wear...the car will run cooler, but on a hot day it really wont matter anyway...Never had any problems when I was runnin a hpp/powerstat

 

I would think your mileage would drop a bit with the cooler engine.

 

I switch from 160 to the 180 in the coldest months. Never have noticed any real difference in gas mileage.