Today i decided to order my 180 Tstat, when i come across a 160 Tstat claiming to be better than the 180 and showing better performance. Has anyone ever used a 160, is this really better than the 180. Or could this just be bs, the 180 was only $15 and the 160 is $20, not a big difference in price for better performance. Anyone know?

 

MASSIVE GAINS.... .15 hp (not 15, .15) My general rule for thermostats...

205, If you live in alaska
195, stock
180, if you think your heat is too hot, or you have a slight overheating issue in the summer (usuially from towing if you have overheating issues and your not towing its something else)
160, overheating issues in the summer, specifically towing (same sidenote)

I run a 160, but thats because the truck tends to get quite hot in the summer with lots of wot runs. If your thinking of a thermostat as a performance part, you should alter your definition of performance parts. so the long and short...get the 195 or 180.

 

My goal for this project is to have a decent drag truck, for fun times down the track. Would i still want to get the 180 if im running wot a good amount of times. If i did get the 160 anyway would there be an negative effects? And i knew this was a "performance part" more of a make the truck not break faster part.

 

The only real measurable effect youll have from the 160 is in the winter. The heat is really non existant. I always wear a coat when I go driving now. Glad to see another truck gettin to the strip. Too bad its a 4x4[sm=escape.gif]. Aside from heat, we could go on and on about the technical aspects of how the 20 degrees or so will effect power due to heat transfer in the heads or intake, or we could talk about extra buildup of carbon because of this or that. Its really a bunch of nonsense at this level of performance. I suggest you hold off on the thermostat untill it starts getting warmer, and get a 180. Put that in and see if it doesnt overheat with wot runs. If it does get a 160. The 180 will still be handy for the winter.
just bustin yer ***** [sm=youreright.gif]

 

hehe thanx man. yeah the 4x4 factor was on my mind when i decided to make this a drag truck when i got it but it was the best offer i could find at the time, and till its fully a drag truck i can take it in snow and feel "safer"( or says my parents) but hopfully ill see ya at the track when im done. Win or lose gnna be a hell of a run

 

Id like to run a 4x4 in low just to get some rediculous 60 foot times. You can always take the driveshaft out for the front to save some power loss from added rolling resistance

 

True on that, but im pretty sure im going to need that 4x4 where im at, roads get very icy, and alot of hills. Will probably gut the truck to shave some lbs and hope that makes a lil diff. Something like every 100lbs is a 1/4 of a second?

 

180.

if your engine has no mechanical problems (doesnt overheat) 160 degrees is not a hot enough for the oil to work to its full lubrication potential. your oil pressure will be slightly lower and thousands of miles later, your engine will sludge up and cause problems. there is no reason for a street car to go below 180 degrees, for any reason. especially for a "performance"reason. ever notice how an engine performs better once it reaches operating temperature? generally 175-195 is the sweet spot.

if colder was better, then why don't you see high performance cars (not full drag cars) running with no thermostat at all?

 

I thought a 160 degree thermostat would cause the truck to run in open loop? [sm=dontgetit.gif]

 

open loop, Because the engine would be cooler and it would think it needs to heat up?