P1281 code came up, which means the engine remains cold for too long! I did put 180° thermostat in it when I did all the work. Is this something to be concerned about? How do I go about fixing it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have a 180 stat in mine too and I get the same code - but only in the winter. I keep my Hypertech in the truck so I can just clear the code. I gradually add cardboard over more and more of the radiator as the winter gets colder and the 1281 code comes on - until I don't get it anymore. Cardboard comes off in the spring.....
I can only think of a couple things that would do it in the summer. One - you didn't "burp" the system and get all the air out of it when you refilled with coolant - or two - you may have a bad temp sensor...

 

Fix it? Put the 195* stat back in........

 

Yeah I've been doing that over the last couple weeks. Every time I stop somewhere I pop the hood and make sure all the air is out of the system. I put a brand-new temperature sensor on it when I change the intake manifold. When my new SCT tuner comes in I'm hoping that I can do the same thing by clearing the code? If not I might have to go back with a 195° thermostat?
Thanks for your help.

 

What's the point for a 180 T stat anyway? I've heard for years people talking about putting them in, but I don't see the point. If you have a pinging issue with a 195 t stat you have other issues you need to fix anyway. Plus if you even see any power gain at all it will be soo minimal you won't feel it. What you will feel is the lack of heat in the winter time. You will also be throwing codes. To me the disadvantages outweigh the advantages here.

 

I have had mine for years now - and there is NO lack of heat in the winter. It gets COLD here too. I simply believe that a cooler engine is a happier engine overall. Got 135k on mine with no engine related issues other then the plenum gasket....