Sounds stupid but i though it would be just a bit above 160, but my gauge is just under the 180* mark cruising. On my scanner it says 176-180 or so in town and about 172 0r 174 on the highway.

I have bled the system twice. Coolant reservior full. Is the normal? I always thought the gauge would be at 170 or so or something? I had just read a few posts in a search and people say their gauge was just above 160?

To be more specific where the needle is on the gauge it is about three quarters of the way to 180. Should i bleed again?

 

Its fine, just because its a 160 stat doesnt mean it will run at 160, thats just when it opens, when the coolant reaches 160 degrees, it will still run at a higher temp, 180 is quite cold, you really dont want it to run much colder than that even, oil will not reach operating temperature, for example, if you put a 50 degree stat in, it would still run at 180 probably, even if you removed the stat, same thing.

 

Did you program the computer to turn on the fans at 160*? Mine reads midway between the 160 and the first mark, but I also used Royal Purple's Purple Ice which probably made some difference.

 

the fans shouldnt turn on at 160*....first should be around 180* and the second around 190*...

 

Your temperature reading is fine. My Z usually runs right at 185 with the 160 degree thermostat. It ran at 210 with the stock one.
As mentioned earlier, 160 is when the thermostat opens, not the max operating temperature of your car.

Schantin
1997 Camaro Z28

 

Sounds exactly right. Running at 160º is too cool.

 

your car is doing fine...mine did the same

 

Yep your doing fine, but you can get them alittle lower if you want by getting a tune for that 160 t-stat, it will just kick on low speed and highspeed on alot earlier to cool ya down. MIne stays between 1st and 2nd notch, which is like 175 i think.