thermostat question
 

i've got a '96 firebird w/ the 3.8L series II engine...i wanna change out my thermostat to a 180 or 160 degree...is it safe to drop all the way to a 160 or is it better to just put the 180 on? thanks.

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1996 Firebird 3.8 A4
Black ext. / Gray int.

Its up to you really. I had to install a 160 stat cause i am running a chip which made the engine run a little hotter. If you ran with the stat at 160 in colder weather you will run a little richer. Plus, if for some reason you drive the car in the winter, you will not get heat as quick. But, really its up to you. It wouldnt do any damage and on really hot days you will like a colder stat as it will keep your engine cooler. If you are planning on doing engine mods i would stick one in, if not stay with the 180. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Ryan

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1998 3.8 Camaro Black
- Y87 Package
- 3.42 gears
- 5 Speed T-tops
- Flowmaster Exhaust
- Jet Performance Stage2
- Accel 9000+ wires
- Hypertech 160* Stat
- 18x9 Mille Miglia 11-2 Wheels with 235/40z18 front, 275/35z18 Rear Yokohama AVS Sport Rubbers
- Xenon Body Kit
- K & N Filter
- Autometer Pro Shift

if i do install a colder thermostat, is there anything else on the car i have to change to get it to work? i heard something about manual fan switch...thanks for the help.

Hawk you dont need the switch,but I recomend it.Most times I dont need the fan turned on and it stays about 170-5 Degrees.But when racing I leave it on,to keep it about 185.You can do it w/o switch but occasionly since your auto fans wait till 215,you will spike,w/o fan switch.
Good stuff
St. James JET 2 Pcm would you recomend this upgrade?Is it noticable? How? and w/ my mods.

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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport Ass. member/student.

I personally think buying any superchip/ and or, performance EPROM is a waste of money unless you are going to be further upgrading your car with parts such as headers etc. etc. These things are damn expensive even though i got a ridiculous deal on the item it still cost a pretty $. They state that this chip adds 15 hp, which is NOT true if you are adding it to a pretty much stock car. It does however work in conjuntion with your other addons etc. (headers) will make a difference in that it will kind of sync them all together and then come in usefull with adding more HP (maximizing thier effect). On a stock car I would think this chip adds 2-5 HP at best if none at all.
Like I had mentioned previously if you are thiking of adding headers etc. I would go for the upgrade which is the ;main reason I have purchased it. Have I noticed a difference? Yes, but most of it's probably mental anyhow.
With your upgrades I would go for it, especially with an upgraded exhaust/induction it would be worth your while.
Let me know if you need anymore info.

Cheers,
Ryan

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1998 3.8 Camaro Black
- Y87 Package
- 3.42 gears
- 5 Speed T-tops
- Flowmaster Exhaust
- Jet Performance Stage2
- Accel 9000+ wires
- Hypertech 160* Stat
- 18x9 Mille Miglia 11-2 Wheels with 235/40z18 front, 275/35z18 Rear Yokohama AVS Sport Rubbers
- Xenon Body Kit
- K & N Filter
- Autometer Pro Shift

Damn good,Thank you Ryan.I had thought of it before just put it off.Found the Jet II PCM,for $276,I-5 auto.Yes real soon the whole motor will be gone through P&P,Balancing,prob. L67 piston,etc.in hopes of a decent SC form ATI.Intercooled of coarse.That PCM would be useless at that point.
But thanks again,Its worth it for time bein,Im gettin it

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_ __________________ _
Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport Ass. member/student.