I wan't to change my thermostat while I'm doing my timing chain so what is the stock one for a 1989 Pontiac Firebird, 2.8L, auto trans? I live in canada, should i get a lower thermostat or is this just bull**** and I won't see any performance gain? Thanks

 

You really won't see any type of performance gain with a thermostat that's only a couple of degrees cooler. If your car is not having any problems overheating, then I would just get a direct OEM replacement.

 

Well that's what I wanted to do. But what is the stock thermostat for my car then?

 

stock 195
good choice 180
If you live in warm regions year round, 160, but it can effect the comp...

 

Where I live, we have snow from november to april. And from may to october the temp vary from 10 degree celsius to 30 degree celsius. So is the 180 thermostat still the best choice? And what will it do?

 

With yours, I'd go stock 195. As cold as it is up there, you could probably run around with no water in the radiator! :sillylol:

Seriously, you'll want the warmer thermostat.

 

Hahaha! Thanks for the advice guys

 

i think my thermostat could be causeing problems for me as well, the previous owner told me he put a 160 in it, but that seems overkill to me... my engine seems to run really cold.. i have only seen it over 200 about twice on the two hottest days of the summer, it seems like it is always down around 150-160.. wouldn't i get better performance higher? 180 or so? i live in upstate ny, rochester area. i wonder if it is messing with the computer or if the guy coudlhave recalibrated it, i woudl assume no. i ahve a problem with the car down low. with real light throttle it runs rough and when you let off after light throttle it will bog right down as if to stall andthen jump back to about 1k it prob idles somewhere between 400 and 600 , i can't remmeber off hand... it s a305 tbi...

how tough is it to change the thermostat?

any help will be appretiated guys,
thanks
tj

 

I got a 180 for my 92 RS, and so far its working great. I think the 160 was a bit low, as the guy at the auto parts store said if I got one too cold, it could fudge up my computer. Changing a thermostat isn't too hard, I recommend investing some money into a haynes manual, as it has saved my *** quite a few times.