I'm thinking of switching to a 160* thermostat. Don't have overheating problems, just wanted to know any thoughts. 305 TPI with stock chip, light mods.

------------------
1987 Trans Am, 305 TPI, K&N, Cherry Bomb Muffler
"35 yr old helo pilot
with a cool new toy my 17 yr old son wants"
The Phoenix Project..click to see my project car

 

You'll only notice it on the highway b/c the stock chip doesn't turn the fans on until 220*, a cooler stat is required for many aftermarket chips. I never noticed any problems with not going into closed loop or anything like that. I ran a 160 stat with my stock chip for about a year w/o any problems or gains/losses.

 

a 160 thermostat wont let your transmission get to temp and will cause early failure, atleast dats what my dad says and he owns his own tansmission shop. Just trying to help

 

Too bad he's wrong. The tranny will have no problems getting up to operating temperature, and the lower-temp 'stat actually better for it since it has a better chance of keeping it from heating up the tranny fluid too much (which is a cause of tranny failure). The torque converter clutch won't engage until the coolant is around 122 (or is it 132?) degrees F, so that's not a problem either.

------------------
Greg Westphal
'87 IROC 355TPI/A4

 

There are many functions in the computer that will only work at temperatures higher than 160, and in cold weather you run the risk of staying in open loop mode. A 160 stat is really colder than you want to make power. The hotter the coolant, the less heat loss from combustion and more power. The tradeoff comes in when you encounter detonation. There is a balance between coolant temperature and ignition timing. 180 degrees seems to be the best for coolant temp, and then set the timing from there.

------------------
89 Transam GTA, 350TPI, auto, 3.27 rear, dual cats, gray.
Magnaflow cat-back,
K&N open element,
Best E.T. 14.63@95mph

 

well i run a 160 and it works fine although i store it during winter so....... i would probably go with a 180 if it was a winter vehicle as well.