Thermostat

[BirdMan8507]

Are aftermarket thermostats bad for an engine? Does anyone know if a 160* thermostat is bad for a 2002 3.8? What exactly does the thermostat do, i've been told that it makes the engine run hotter and ive also been told that it makes it run cooler. Can someone set me straight here?

[Kain]

A 160 degree thermostat will open and let coolant start flowing through the radiator once the engine reaches 160 degrees. So the engine will run cooler than it will with the stock 180 degrees thermostat.

[bradoneill]

The thermostat is located in line with your upper radiator hose. When first start your car and it is cold, the thermostat is closed, thus allowing no collant flow to the engine. After the engine gets warm the thermostat starts to open up which will allow coolant flow. It basicly is a temprature controlled valve. If you have a 160 degree thermostat, it will open up when your engine reaches 160 degrees. The lower the temprature the thermostat opens at, the cooler your engine will run. Running a cooler engine can give you a small power gain. Anwser your question?

['94firebirdv6]

i thought cars came with a 210* thermo stock..
anyway seeing as how you live in PA don't get a 160* thermostat get a 180*. the reason being 160* is too cold for your engine to run efficiently and will hurt you gas mileage. also it will kill you mileage in the winter.

[hawgs]

woah... this is too advance.

[BLLDOGG]

lol

[Kain]

180 came stock. check the engine tech page

[BirdMan8507]

thanks guys appreciate the help. yea i know this is pretty advanced stuff we're talkin here. but seriously i'm not a total moron, i've just heard a bunch of different things about what aftermarket thermostats do.

[camaroincal]

I believe 1993-1997 or 98 was 195 standard...then from then on 180 standard

[Clark Griswold]

Originally posted by camaroincal:
I believe 1993-1997 or 98 was 195 standard...then from then on 180 standard

That's bad for performance. DickAddict said that engine needs to operate between 210-220. Why would GM lower the temps? They obviously don't know as much as him.

[camaroincal]

Well, I dunno about that. Maybe on a high performance car 210 may be better suited. But for our little 6 I think the best power range is 180-195.

[FloydSummerOf68]

Stock is 195
Mine is a 2002 and it had a 195 thermo in it
I don't think our cars came with a stock 180 in any year
And I agree...way to advanced

[Kain]

http://engine.firebirdv6.com/

check this page for stock thermostat

[BirdMan8507]

anyone know how to install it?

[SamG97Camaro]

So since I live in Ohio I shouldn't get one cuz it will hurt my gas mileage n performance in the winter??