160* Vs 187* Thermostat

[TnTahoe]

Just curious to why some of you guys/gals are using a 160* thermostat instaed of the stock 187* thermostat? What are they benefits of this?

 

[JennaBear]

I wouldn't recommend a lower t-stat, these engines need to run at a higher temp to burn off condensation in the oil.

 

[viximaging]

yep.. the 160's are also awful in the winter

 

[WICKEDOWESIX]

Depending on your location and mods depends on the T stat to use. The main purpose of the lower T stat is to have cooler engine coolant temps and increase spark advance (more power) with out KR.

---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:30 PM ----------

yep.. the 160's are also awful in the winter

My 160* works fine in ALL seasons. My heater works great in the winter too and my truck still gets to normal operating temps.

 

[TnTahoe]

im changing my water pump so i figured I'd go ahead and put in a new thermostat as well

 

[WICKEDOWESIX]

im changing my water pump so i figured I'd go ahead and put in a new thermostat as well

Yeah that would be a good thing to do now that your in there. Good luck!

 

[JennaBear]

My 160* works fine in ALL seasons. My heater works great in the winter too and my truck still gets to normal operating temps.

It isn't the weather that matters, it is the engine temperatures. I wouldn't recommend anything under 180, if you feel the need to change anything,

 

[WHITEOUT]

By installing a 160* t-stat, usually, not always, you are going to get overheating. Now, I live in Arizona where it is hella hot in the summer. And by installing a lower degree t-stat, what is going to happen is my engine is going to fight to try to keep the engine cooler. What I mean is, by having the t-stat at 160*, it is constantly going to stay open there for the coolant will never get a chance to cool down inside the radiator with fans, and just keep circulating coolant constantly never getting the chance to cool down. By the t-stat not getting a opportunity to close, the coolant will never get cold enough to close the t-stat, and then overheating will accure.

I've used them on 4-6 cylinder vehicles with no problems, but never on the Tahoe, or V8's. I would like to know if anybody has done this switch, and where they live, how hot it gets in summer, and if it helped.

 

[WICKEDOWESIX]

By installing a 160* t-stat, usually, not always, you are going to get overheating. Now, I live in Arizona where it is hella hot in the summer. And by installing a lower degree t-stat, what is going to happen is my engine is going to fight to try to keep the engine cooler. What I mean is, by having the t-stat at 160*, it is constantly going to stay open there for the coolant will never get a chance to cool down inside the radiator with fans, and just keep circulating coolant constantly never getting the chance to cool down. By the t-stat not getting a opportunity to close, the coolant will never get cold enough to close the t-stat, and then overheating will accure.

I've used them on 4-6 cylinder vehicles with no problems, but never on the Tahoe, or V8's. I would like to know if anybody has done this switch, and where they live, how hot it gets in summer, and if it helped.

I have never had my truck over heat in the summer. It has gotten to temps up to 115* out here in th esummer and with the AC on it still doesnt over heat. With the proper efan setting you would be ok.

 

[JennaBear]

There is a lot of false info out there on the interwebz, we plan on doing a side by side comparison on the dyno with t-stats, much like we did with the CAIs.