Ok I know that a lower temp Thermostat is useless without a lower temp fan switch. I don't like how in traffic my temps get up to 220 before the first fan comes on and 238 until the second one truns on. I was looking at fan switches on summit and they have 200, 195, or 176. Thermostats are available in MANY temps, all the way down to 160. I live in Houston where winter is virtually nonexistent, would I be best served with a 176 degree fan switch and a 160 degree thermostat? I've been told that a 195 fan switch is enough, and I also think that the stock thermostat is 195 degrees anyway.

 

Pick your target and tune your range. GM picked 194° and wants us at say 180 ~ 220 thereby the 195° stock stat. Say you want a target of 180° then first try a 180 then 170 then 160 stat and see what your temp ranges are. Stats are cheap enough and definitely the starting point. Choose the one that puts you in (and keeps you in) your desired range.

In many cases a lower stat is all that is needed to slide your cooling range to a comfortable level. If it doesn't then move on to the aftermarket fan switch and keep fine tuning til' satisfied.

 

Thanks for the info. I used to think my car stayed really cool since when cruising it is always right at 160, then I got stuck in some serious stop and go traffic on a hot summer day. Seing the needle get to 238 wasn't something I liked.