Hi everyone, i have a 1994 Z28 Lt1 stock rebuilt engine i'm about to install and i need to know if i should go with a 160 or 180 deg thermostat. I am sending the PCM out for reprogramming to remove the EGR valve, VATS, air pump, and reset fans for the thermostat but i dont know which one would be best. Any Advice ?? and maybe which brand is good too.
THANKS !!

 

Well right now I have no thermostat in mine but that will change soon... I dont want my cooling system to have constant temperature it may mess with sensor and such... I have a 180 that im gonna put in and those are recomended for these cars... I dont know how much of a difference a 160 would be but I doubt its much...

 

u can leave it at 180 and have the fans programed to come on earlier or switch to a 160 and adjust the fans to come on 20 degrees sooner. 160 will keep the temp at about 180 instead of 200.

 

Here's my take on a 160 thermostat. The first or second time your cooling system cycles, the temperature will probably be ok. But as the engine runs longer, especially in hot weather, the coolant will be getting progressively hotter. The coolant won't stay in the engine for as long with a 160, which also means it won't stay in the radiator as long either to give sufficient time to cool off what's in there. So, once the coolant gets above 160 and stays above 160 which it will, the stat will open and will REMAIN OPEN. So essentially, you'll be running with a "stuck open" stat. And running the coolant at a constant flow NEVER gives the radiator time to do it's job properly. You would actually be defeating the whole purpose of how the cooling system is supposed to work for chilling the coolant back down. Using a lower rated stat isn't going to lower your engine heat, unless you lower your fan's on/off limits. Without a fan on, your temperature will continue to climb, no matter what the stat is rated at. But, 160 is too cold of a temp to run this engine at, even if you could keep it there. Not to mention, if you drive the car in the winter, you'll never get decent heat. All you really need to do is, leave the stat alone and make the fans turn on sooner.

 

OK Great THANKS for the explanation on this !! I will go with a 180 stat and have the fans turn on at 190 and off at 185. Does that look OK ? Trying to get fan on/off set also.