EternalCamaro

Does adding a 160 degree thermo add any hp or power at all?

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1988 RS Camaro
V8-5.0L-305-L03
700R4 Auto Trans.
Flowmaster Exhaust
K&N Air Filter

Tas

for sure

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

To be installed eventually far far far into the future: Yours if the price is right and I don't have to ship :
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

afgun

Only if the computer thinks the car isn't fully warmed up. A properly set up car won't make more power with a 160 than a 180, and will actually increase emissions.

breathment

the whole purpose of the 160* therm. is that u can advance ur timming, and the engine will be running cooler, so u will have less detonation. by its self it will do nothing.

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88' GTA 350 MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass

Tas

my 180 thermo had the car running at 210. So having the 160 make the car run at 160 made it cooler which made more HP.

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

To be installed eventually far far far into the future: Yours if the price is right and I don't have to ship :
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

Grim Reaper

You should be running no less than 180*, unless you've modified your eprom or install a fan switch to turn on your fans sooner. If not, then your car, especially in traffic, will run near the same temp as a stock 195* T-stat because in traffic, you max temperature is determined by your fans...since there is not enough air flow in city traffic generally to cool down the engine.

So, you will experience the SAME temp in city traffic as you would with a 180*, 195* or even a 160* unless you turn on your fans sooner.

And yes, when properly setup a 180* develops the same power (if not a little more) than a 160* because there are other factors (such as the expansion of the interal parts) that also affect power. The interals with a 160* engine will not be as tight at a 180* engine. This is often the reason people have increased emissions with a 160* T-stat (along with not having the eprom properly adjusted to compensate for the fact the eprom thinks the engine is in "Cold Start/Warm Up Mode" with a 160* T-stat.

But, I can assure you of a couple things you WILL notice with a 160* T-stat; cooler interior during winter and poorer gas mileage, especially in winter. Again, if you alter the eprom for the 160* you can regain much of your gas mileage...but you can also make a 180* perform the as well, get even better gas mileage and NOT freeze your butt off during winter, if you alter the eprom.

Since you basically have to alter the eprom (for ANY t-stat) to get the full advantages and minimize the disadvantages of each type of T-stat...go with the warmer T-stat, optimize the eprom and you won't have to freeze your butt.

PS: Where I live, I didn't REALLY freeze my butt during winter with a 160* T-stat (I've tried them all btw), but the car never got above a "luke warm". And don't roll down the window or it will take a while to get the interior to warm up again.

Go with the 180* and optimize your eprom.



[This message has been edited by Glenn91L98GTA (edited August 02, 2001).]

Tas

You missed one thing. You're in Canada and I'm in Los Angeles. ITS HOT OVER HERE! 160 is better for me, 180 is better for you. my fans are wired to always be on too.

Grim Reaper

Actually, I live in a "semi-arid desert" and it is quite common for the temperature to get over 100*F in the summer.

The point I am really trying to make is that there is no performance difference between the two when properly setup, and the 180* is actually easier on the internal parts.

From a "consistency" perspective the 180* gives more consistent performance than a 160*. I personally found the 180* easier to tune than a 160*, due to the inconsistencies.

There are a lot of myths about the 160* (both good and bad). Most of the reasons people recommond a 160* T-stat is untrue. Overall, I just found the 180* to be better for performance, gas mileage and emissions.

NTChrist

Kamloops is friggin hot in the summer.
So, wait, wait, wait. Our cars came with a 195* thermo stock? When I bought my new replacement thermo, I was given a choice of a cooler one, or a stock one. I bought the cooler one, assuming it was a 160*, now I'm not sure. Unfortunately, my temp. gauge is in celcuis. Does anybody know what 180F and 160F are, in celcius? I'd like to find out which one it is that I have.

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No guts, no glory.

[This message has been edited by NTChrist (edited August 09, 2001).]