My car likes to run really hot and the temp guage hits the red lines every once in a while. When the car gets this hot it doesnt perform too well at all. My car has 131,000 miles on an LO3. If i put a 180* thermostat in the car, will this help and will i not need a new chip?

 

colder t-stat should help, help to change fan switch to a hypertec. make sure the radiator is clear ,cooling system checks out ok, the air dam is in place

 

when i still had my car stock. i had no power when my temp was at 220 or more. i now have a 180 stat and a 160 fan switch from hypertech.

 

also a better water pump and radiator helps

 

I have seen in parts catalogs a water restrictor. I slows the water flow to (I assume) allow more heat to absorb into the coolant. Why do they make high flow water pumps and water restrictors? Which is the correct theory? Maybe for racing or something?

 

like ede said, make sure you still have your air dam, with out that you are going to over heat for sure. also make sure your fan is working. it is very easy for the fan switch to have been broke during a plug change. as for thermostat, I went to a 180* with the stock chip and have had no problems, I also drilled a few small holes in it so it has a very slow but constant flow of coolant at all times.

 

David Vizard says the faster you can move coolant, the faster it can get back to the radiator, cool down, then go through the engine to absorb more heat.

I think he's got the idea down to a science.