Hypertech Thermostat worth it?/

[volavet]

Having water pump replaced, is it worth it to put in a Hypertech thermostat? I realize it is only $30, but the shop wants to charge me $200 to program the chip, this sounds over the top to me. Any opinions are welcome and or ideas how I can have the computer uploaded without shelling out $200.

Thanks

 

[Edmond]

Unless you're doing major mods such as cam and heads, a chip reprogram would pretty much be useless. The basic bolt on mods do not require a chip reprogram.

 

[volavet]

Are you sure. If he puts in a Hypertech thermostat, then the ECM has to be reprogrammed to turn on at the lower setting, or at least thats what I have read on here and what the Corvette shop is telling me. 96 has the OBD II system which needs an ECM flash


Thanks for the response..

 

[Tuna]

A lower temp stat does not require a reprogramming of the computer. However, if you want the fans to turn on sooner (at a lower temp) then you will need to reprogram.

Basically, the stat controls the lower end of the operating temperature range on cooler days while the fan turn-on setting generally control the upper end of the operating temperature range.

Now, if you are going to reprogram the fan turn-on settings to a lower temp, then you probably want the lower temp stat so you don't have the stat fighting with the computer on who controls the engine temp.

I hope this helps.

 

[Vettelt193]

A lower temp stat does not require a reprogramming of the computer. However, if you want the fans to turn on sooner (at a lower temp) then you will need to reprogram.

Basically, the stat controls the lower end of the operating temperature range on cooler days while the fan turn-on setting generally control the upper end of the operating temperature range.

Now, if you are going to reprogram the fan turn-on settings to a lower temp, then you probably want the lower temp stat so you don't have the stat fighting with the computer on who controls the engine temp.

I hope this helps.

i agree...

I have the same car as you, with the stock programming and 160 stat. the only thing it really does is help keep the temps down while driving, although they still won't be much below 180 most of the time. The 160 stat will help some in traffic, but only to the extent that the car gets into the traffic running colder; once it gets hot it is no help.

 

[volavet]

I appreciate the responses, but Im confused, I thought putting in a Hypertech thermostat would turn on the fans at 195 or so, rather than the stock setting of 225 or whatever it is. So I am confused about how the stat and the programming are separate. If he puts in a Hyper stat, will the fans turn on sooner, if not, what benefit does the stat alone do, vs. stat and a reprogram. Please help with my tech ignorance.


Thanks

 

[siller]

I appreciate the responses, but Im confused, I thought putting in a Hypertech thermostat would turn on the fans at 195 or so, rather than the stock setting of 225 or whatever it is. So I am confused about how the stat and the programming are separate. If he puts in a Hyper stat, will the fans turn on sooner, if not, what benefit does the stat alone do, vs. stat and a reprogram. Please help with my tech ignorance.
Thanks

I cannot technically explain how the 160 degree thermostat works compared to the 180 degree TS excluding any other component, but I have a 160 TS, along with the Hypertech Power Programmer III and I am very happy with both. I did not by the 160 TS from Hypertech, I bought one from AutoZone for $18, same price as their 180 TS. Even DRM has them both for $18.

I don't think changing just the TS had any effect on my car until I had a way to change the computer's programming as well. I also have a 96 CE LT4 and initially considered what I thought were a few other options to reduce the fan settings, among other things based on my mods to that point, from sending the whole computer to a couple aftermarket computer reprogrammers ($400+), to the HPP III ($300), to installing a manual fan switch ($30). I dismissed the computer reprogram, because that is a permanent solution that offers no way to return to stock programming, short of buying a second computer and reprogramming one of them, and a new computer from GM was about $500 more (total or $900+). I dismissed the manual fan switch, while cheapest, because I had heard and read that manually making an adjustment without the use of the computer still left the computer thinking the original settings are valid and I might end up causing conflicts between how the computer wanted to control the temp on/off temps, and what I would be doing manually. So I opted for the HPP III. I found it on sale somewhere for $289 (normally $329). Right now the programmer only controls the fans on and off temps and does some computer optimization. I cannot vouch for the optimization effects, but instead of running around in evening rush hour traffic at between 230 - 245 degrees, it now runs at about 190. I still have stock tire sizes and gearing, so I cannot yet take advantage of the other reprogramming capabilities of the HPP III, but someday I would like to - 4.11 gears maybe.

The thing I like most, is it takes 5 minutes to reprogram the stock program and about 10 minute to reprogram for lower fan temps. It is great. In my opinion, it may have been an expensive fan temp resetter, but like I said, I plan to use the other options down the road so it is not a complete waste. I highly recommend a 160 TS and the HPP III. I love mine. Sorry for the long post. Good Luck.

 

[Tuna]

The stat is just a thermally activated device that opens when the coolant around it gets hot enough. It's not connected with the computer in any way, shape or form.

At 160 stat will open and allow flow of coolant through the radiator when the coolant around it gets to a temp at or above 160. Dittor for a 180 - 180 or 195 - 195. When it does, the coolant starts flowing through the radiator where the air flow can cool it down. Initially, the stat will probably cycle some as the cooler coolant from the radiator lowers the overall temp of the coolant. While this is happening, the computer is doing nothing about turning on the fans.

When the overall coolant temp reaches the computer's preset temp (229ish for a stock program), the computer tells the fans to turn on to force more air through the radiator.

If you put a 160 stat in and leave the computer alone, the lower temperature level, after everything stabilizes ought to be around 170-175 - but only if the outside air temperature supports it like less than 70 degrees. As the outside air temp goes up, so does the minimum coolant temp I see.

If you reprogram the computer to turn the fans on at a lower temp - say 210, when the coolant temp (gauge reading) reaches that temp, the computer will turn on the fan/fans to keep it from getting too much hotter.

So, installing a lower temp stat does not need a computer reprogram.

However, reprogramming the computer to turn the fans on at a lower temp may require changing the stat to a lower temp.
Example: reprogramming for a 195 temp fan turn on and you have a 180 or 190 temp stat. The lower end of a stabilized system is going to be 190 to 200 say. The means that the fans are going to turn on when the system just gets to the lower end of the 'stable' range - and you have the computer and the stat 'fighting' with each other to control the coolant temp.

I hope this helps clear up the stat - computer reprogram issue.

 

[stgry1]

Well said tuna, you saved me a lot of typing

 

[jcs44]

Kudos to Tuna for putting this all in plain language. Bottom line is simple - if you don't reprogram the fans, the temp can and will go up to the factory fan settings no matter what TS you have. I think we're all a little paranoid on this issue because we have true linear temp gages as opposed to the center weighted gages on most vehicles that simply show a normal temp even thought the actual is going up and down probably +/- 20 degrees.

JCS44
LT4 Vert, Blk/Blk

 

[volavet]

Thank you for the perfect explanation. Im still not sure if it is worth it to get the Hyper stat if Im not going to get the fans reprogrammed. Its only $30 at the shop price, but I am concerned with having the fans and stat fighting each other as you say..

 

[Vettelt193]

The fans will only fight the stat if the fans are set lower than the stat is. So, if you have a 195 degree stat, and the fans are set to turn on at 180, the fans will fight the stat.

In stock form, you can throw a 160 in with no problem. I think a stat change is honestly worth it if your stock stat is 195 degrees (it is 195 stock on older LT1 cars, LT4 is 180), that is just too hot IMO. but to go from 180 to 160 is really no major change in regular driving.

Just keep it simple: stay stock unless you plan on doing the computer too.

 

[jcs44]

Not worth changin in my opinion. I had a 160 on my 95 LT1 and all it did was run cooler when it was cooler outside. I have also seen a msg string some time back that talked about running too cool where toxic by-products don't get burned off unless temps stay at 185 or above.

JCS44

 

[96CERon]

160 Thermostat

Tried the 160 stat. Really no help here in Arizona in the summer and it ran too cold in the winter ~170 and couldn't get the oil temp up to a reasonable 200-210 F to drive off any condensation/moisture in the oil. Stick with the 180.

 

[sbu8999]

96CEron....

I had some heat issues (210-230 deg) on a used LT4 and eventually replaced the pump. It came with a 195 stat. Install included low pressure test, which caused the crimp on the radiator sides (plastic to aluminum bond) to leak, so I put in a new radiator as well. Bottom line is that temps now run 188-192, oil temps down to nominal 200-210. All is stock, and working well summer thru winter. IMO: Ignore gimmick stats, put your money into the original cooling design.

 

[CAJUN C4]

I appreciate the responses, but Im confused, I thought putting in a Hypertech thermostat would turn on the fans at 195 or so, rather than the stock setting of 225 or whatever it is. So I am confused about how the stat and the programming are separate. If he puts in a Hyper stat, will the fans turn on sooner, if not, what benefit does the stat alone do, vs. stat and a reprogram. Please help with my tech ignorance.


Thanks

Stock is 180.

 

[CAJUN C4]

The fans will only fight the stat if the fans are set lower than the stat is. So, if you have a 195 degree stat, and the fans are set to turn on at 180, the fans will fight the stat.

In stock form, you can throw a 160 in with no problem. I think a stat change is honestly worth it if your stock stat is 195 degrees (it is 195 stock on older LT1 cars, LT4 is 180), that is just too hot IMO. but to go from 180 to 160 is really no major change in regular driving.

Just keep it simple: stay stock unless you plan on doing the computer too.

I have the stock 180 TS. Question: I just boght a Hp111 can I have the Fans come on at 210 or whatever and off at 185 with the stock TS??? Or do I have to go to the 160 TS?

 

[PLRX]

I appreciate the responses, but Im confused, I thought putting in a Hypertech thermostat would turn on the fans at 195 or so, rather than the stock setting of 225 or whatever it is. So I am confused about how the stat and the programming are separate. If he puts in a Hyper stat, will the fans turn on sooner, if not, what benefit does the stat alone do, vs. stat and a reprogram. Please help with my tech ignorance.


Thanks

Volavet, I have a 160F thermo in it with no Hypertech reprogram. It works cooler and fine. Save the CA$H

 

[tlong]

Didn't '96 come stock 180* thermostat?

 

[CAJUN C4]

Yes it did.