Well, i am running a 160 therm in the winter, and have been for about two years. Now , i know...most people say to up it to at least 180 for this season, but i really dont mind about having no heat, BUT..i am curious as to whether the car is really being negatively effected by the low cooling temp. Would some of you consider it a crime if if i continued to use the 160?? any input is appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

Well, if you have been using it for 2 yrs now with not problems, I don't see the harm. Personally I switched to a 180* a few months ago, because I go to college in the mountains and it gets really cold. I figured I would need the heat for the defrost.

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2 Tickets to game= $250
Gas= $20
Sitting 20ft. from MJ= Priceless
'86 IROC T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK HEADERS Hooker CatBack
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

The biggest risk (besides not getting the interior warm) is your ECM will think it is in "warm-up mode" and you'll run richer than you should.

 

Another issue with the 160... fuel suspension problems with wet flow intakes. I'm guessing by your name you have a TBI. I actually noticed a good bit better mileage and slightly more power in cold weather when I switched from a 160 to 180 (I have a 4bbl carb), and my car is a lot less dependent on the ECM (coolant temperature) for fuel mixture than yours is.

I don't know anything about running 160 on a dry flow intake system, so If you have TPI, ignore me...