how much does a 160 help a basically stock LT1? at all? thanks..

 

Very little, unless the PCM is tuned to turn the fans on at a lower temperature. However, the engine will stay cooleron open highway driving when the fans are not needed.If the PCM is tuned then the engine will stay cooler at all times and might make a little more power.

 

Wouldn't there be a little trouble trying to establish closed loop status?

 

leave the poor thermostat alone...

 

I'm going to have to agree with bluovlh8er. Don't worry about a low temp thermostat. Unless you are running too hot or something it's really not worth it. You won't see much of an increase in power. Actually, you may see a decrease. I had given thought to putting a 160 in my Z28, but my dad told me that a cooler air/fuel mixture with a warmer combustion chamber will give more power than a cooler air/fuel mixture with a cooler combustion chamber. I'm not 100 percent on that, but my dad is usually right with those kinds of things.

 

i have my fans so they come on with the ignition.. will this make a difference? my friends 95 firebird formula runs about 180 when my camaro runs 210.. he says its a 160 thermostat in his, so i figured what the heck.. its worth 9 bucks to try one myself..

 

You face wearing the fan motors out prematurely. Overcooling an engine will cause a decrease in fuel economy, as you see the computer will run on a fixed parameter for delivering fuel (particularly rich). If a certain temperature is not met, the PCM will not be allowed control of the air/fuel ratio.

 

I have a 180 in my v6...

some say 160's are too cool, not letting the engine heat up to proper temps...