160 Thermostat Where You need a heater

[Grizzly]

Now that I have an LT1 I'm looking over the mods available. The chip with the 160 degree thermostat seems like a good idea, but I will be driving the car when it is cold and need proper heating and defrosting. Is anyone out there running a 160 stat in the north country where they need a heater? Does it work ok?

 

[vader86]

The engine still gets warm enough so that you dont freeze to death. It doesnt need to get over 160 to get the air passing over the heater core warm.

Dont buy the chip though, its worthless.

 

[warren s]

Go with the fan overide switch (See my website).

When I drove my 95 coupe in cold temps (30 degrees) there was plenty of heat.
In stop and go traffic the coolent temp will still exceed the thermostat temp until the fans are switched on. Highway driving still got the motor hot enough for good heat.

 

[tntcorvette]

you can always put a piece of cardboard or such under the car where the air enters the radiator area too keep the motor running warmer in the winter if you use a 160 stat. I personally like to see my coolant temp around 180 to 200 in the winter time and between 170 to 190 in the summer.

 

[Tuna]

I'm using a 160 stat - have been since 1994 - even in the dead of winter here in OK, my normal running temperatures stabalize no lower than 171. Usually, they go a little higher in to the high 170's when the outside temp is below freezing. I can't complain. I've no issues with the heater or defroster.

As far as performance is concerned, the chip may or may not do much good. I used a HyperTech Thermomaster until recently but I never dyno'ed the car with it - so I can't really say if it made any 'real' difference. One thing it did do is control the fans sooner to work with the lower 160 stat and it bypassed the CAGS so that I didn't need to buy a bypass plug and I never saw the light again. That probably ain't worth the full retail price but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

My motor isn't an LT1 any more and I'm using a different chip now. I've got that Thermomaster chip sitting in a box in my garage. You interested in it? I'll make you a deal.

 

[oldace84]

My 160 themo. Makes no differance on temp. of engine.

Runs just fine.
tony

 

[captbane]

Im running the 160 with the thermomaster chip here in ny and i frezze my but off in the morning! (winter) If I get to 121 degrees engine temp im doing well! lol,. 10 miles to work. maybe stuck open, this is my first winter with the car,going to pull it all down in the spring. Can you say car blanket!! hehe! Capt Bane

 

[Tuna]

Your outside air temp must be pretty low for it not to get above 120 much on a 10 mile drive to work.

I've got 6.5 miles one way and with the temp around freezing, I see at least 160 before I park it. Of course I'm starting from my garage where it's never below 50 inside. After work, when the car has been setting all day in the cold, I let it run and warm up until I see the "oil" temp come off the "LOW" displays before heading home. Then I see 160+ again before I park it.

 

[COR4VETTE]

You are 100% right. i live in N.Y. and when i had my 87 i switched to a 160. ***************NO HEAT************

 

[captbane]

no heat

cor4vette,take alook in the c-4 general or tech forum, there is a piece on the no heat problem,a gm recall or service bullitin. My vettes in the shop getting a new motor so ill have him lookinto that as well. good luck! captbane@yahoo.com