nesluopetan

I live in Utah, and it does get quite hot here. Lately I have been getting around 210 degrees, sometimes spikes to 220, but its not EVER went over 220, right when it gets by 220 it flushes back down to 190 and then keeps repeating itself. this is my question, should I just stick with this stock thermo? I have no idea what it is, its the one that comes in the ramjet motor, or should I go with a 160? what ya think?

Nate

P.S. Where doyou guys buy those cool bars for engines that connect to each side and goes over the engine to hold the front of the car together? those are cool, please give me links.

nate

Danno

If you look around on this site you will find as many opinions on this subject as Gates has billions. Most likely the engine came stock with a 195 degree stat. The cycling you speak of is normal as the electric fan(s) will come on when the ECM senses 222 degrees from the coolant temp sensor. Most late GM engines are run at 195 to help with the emission control process. I have tried 160 to 195 stats and I finally just went back to stock 195. My fuel economy suffered with every change. If you want a cooler running engine you could drop to a 180. This seems to be the preferred temp of the guys who post on the site. I changed mine back because premium here in Pennsy just hit $1.65/gal. If you are satisfied with your performance and the thing runs good I would just leave it be.

Dustin Mustangs

iTrader: (1)

The cool bar in the engine campartment is called a strut tower brace. Spohn is a good source for suspension components, which a STB would be considered, you can click his add at the top of any page on this site. If you ask around about suspension improvements, everyone and their grandmother will tell you that your first purchase should be a set of sub-frame connectors though, so you might want to consider a set of these unless your car is already equipped with some; spohn also sells these.

:lala:

TBIWorks

iTrader: (2)

I have researched this intensively, and have found that in all weather types, a 180* thermostat works perfectly. Get a STANT SUPERSTAT heavy duty if possible. The part number is 45358 (I think). Now there is more to it than that though. Use a Hypertech cool fan switch pn# 4028 (not 4026!!!!), and make sure this is in conjucntion with a clean, properly operating cooling system. A new clean radiator, and a clean AC condenser front are a good too.



WITH THIS COMBO< MY CAR HAS HEAT IN THE WINTER, BUT ENGINE COOLANT TEMP STAYS AROUND 175-185 MOST OF THE TIME DURING THE YEAR. ONLY CASE WHERE IT WILL RISE IS SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR A HALF HOUR WITH A/C BLOWING ON A 105* DAY. GOOD LUCK

Mark A Shields

With a computer 180* would be the best, I don't use a computer, in the winter I use a 180* and summer a 160*. Just remember a stat won't do much if you're fan doesn't cut on till the stock temp of about 230*, so wire a switch or change it's setting also.

TBIWorks

iTrader: (2)

remember, if you use a 160* the coolant will not stay in the radiator long enough to get cool, because in hotter weather, it will be open all the time practically. I found that a 180 actually cooled better than a 160 did! This is of course in conjunction with the HYPERTECH 4028 fan switch.

Mark A Shields

It should cause the stat wouldn't open until 170*, which is only 20* more than a 180*, so it shouldn't affect it that much.

nesluopetan

I do not have electric fans, my fan is a flex fan. I am looking for a dual electric fan and shroud setup and a air intake, but havent found one yet. thanks guys

nate

Grim Reaper

The is the BIGGEST MYTH of all regarding T-stats "coolant going too fast through the radiator to cool down".

Trust me, that statement is complete and utter hogwash. It has been discussed and dispelled a MILLION TIMES. I will let you do some research but PLEASE don't put "old wife's tales" out as fact.

89blackbird

I agree completly. Thats

zippy

i also agree, the 160 stat doesn't flow any more than the 180 when open. if you were overheating, that would be around 220 or so which would have both open all the way. only running without a thermostat can cause that in certain vehicles. i'd recomend a 160 especially where you live, but a 180 would help also. a fan switch is not the right part to be using. buying a chip to turn the fans on sooner is correct as it is the computers job to turn on the fans. it will also allow for more power gains at the same time.

nesluopetan

I may be stupid but I went to spohns page and cannot find those strut tower brace things... where are they? am i just a retard?

nate

Ed Maher

This isn't a thermostat question, it's a fan question. It doesn't matter what T-stat you use, the fans will still only keep you hot.

Danno

Ed, you are right. I have tried every stat and I finally agree with you about engine operating temp. I put back the stock 195 stat and I have seen a 3-5MPG improvement. The way I look at things these days and after 20+ years of screwing around with engines is that the engineers who design take many things into account. My field is electronics and even there the GM people have done a fine job. The fan issue is interesting. I am not sure at this point that going to 222deg. is REALLY a problem if things work as advertised. MY biggest problem was the total unreliability of the fan relays. I do not know who made those oval relays, but my wife and daughter have late GM cars and they have SIEMENS relays and the quality is very good. I just ordered new relays and connectors, and as much as I would like to keep my car totally stock I think it would be a good update. You know what?, no matter what I do I really cannot improve much on what the car has to offer.

zippy

ed, fans don't keep you hot, they cool the engine.

jd13

I currently have a 160 stat in my '90 IROC. I'm yet to see anything higher than 160 while driving. Sitting in traffic with the AC on full blast it will go up a little, but not for long. Oh, I'm in Florida, so its pretty hot here too with lots of humidity. I dunno, 180 seems to be the choice I guess, I dunno why?