is there any reason why i shouldent run a 160 degree thermostat?
or should i just run a stock 195 degree?
im installing a 350 crate engine and i want to put all new parts in and im just wondering what i should do about the thermostat.

 

160 is probably too cold. Without changing anything in the prom, 180 would be the coldest I would attempt. I actually change mine from 180-195 and vice-versa every spring and fall without any hiccups from the computer. It's cold as hell here in the winter, so the 195 is great for having heat in the car, but then it's damn hot in the summer, so I switch it to a 180 as soon as the weather starts getting warm. If you wanted to compromise between the two, and not have to change it all the time, AC Delco sells a 170.

 

ok reason why i ask is because my wife and i are moving to florida in january and i am about to install a new crate 350 and 700r4 tranny and i dont want to have to take the intake off after i get it all back together.

 

The 160 degree temperature would be fine if the computer was tuned accordingly. ....but if not, I agree that 180 is the lowest. The computer needs to know when the car is warmed up to go from open loop to closed loop operation. With the 160, engine doesn't get warm enough for the computer to recognize that it's warmed up.

....but in the warm Florida weather, if you DID get the 'puter tuned, I think the 160 would be great.