160 thermo... upsides?

[aalugo2000]

hey,i know why the thermo is good and how it works, but i was just wonderin if it gives any significant power or speed gains, and are its gains compounded with nos?

[strange_trp]

haha.... do a search... check out the mod reviews. there are pros and cons to this mod and it has been debated ad nauseum.
i say 180 is as low as you need.
others swear by 160.
all agree that without a manual fan switch, if you sit at idle, you'll get to at least 200 before your cooling fans come on no matter which thermostat you have.
do a search and read the many discussions about this topic, then decide for yourself. as cheap as they are, you may want to buy both and give each a 1-month trial and make your decision then...

[Pewter2K1]

I had a 160, it is good, you can tell a difference at first, but once it gets hot, its just the same... Also, it really screwed up my car, not mechanically, just turned off mty temp gauge and kept the fans running on high all the time. I now have a 180.. i can tell a differnce, and I have had no problems.. go to autozone... i spent 6 bucks for it all with a lifetime warrantee. so i would go 180 over 160 and get the manual fan switch mod, or buy the switch from SLP... Good luck

[bigpanther63]

How easy is it to install those manual fan switches?

[jrcamaro96]

I have a 160* thermo in my car now and I have no problems for the past year or so since the install. I know it is highly debated and i'm not here to start anything. I have recently instaled a A/F gauge and I watched the car warm up, when it first starts it slowly raises the A/F ratio to rich but when it hits operating temp the gauge starts raiseing and lowering the A/F ratio and staying in the Stoich range. I might buy a 180* just to see if there are any differences but as for now I think mine works good.

JR

[Patrick Javert]

the only way it'll give you significant speed/hp gains is if your car is already using knock retard/spark retard to control combustion. The main reason knock retard will come on is if the combustion chamber gets too hot and detonation is imminent. The cooler temps from the 160 thremo will allow the car to not have to use as much knock retard and advance the spark timing slightly. also, the 160 thermo works well w/ a lowered fan temp setting. Only do this if you are planning on getting a programmer or chip for your car in the future. the temp needs to be somewhat high so the piston rings seal completely and you don't get blow-by passed the rings. By advancing the spark timing, you will allow the hot air charge to stay in the cylinder longer, heating the block and heads more. the 160 thermo will allow the coolant to become cooler and drop the block temps to where they belong.

[Steve Caroccia]

I'm with Pewter ... definitely don't do this in a 2001 unless you want an SES problem

[Max2k1Camaro]

I recently bought a 160* thermo from SLP for my 2001. Should I go with the 180? What is it i am hearing about 2001s and lower thermos? Also, where can I buy a thermo without having to order online?

[Dominic]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Pewter2K1:
I had a 160, it is good, you can tell a difference at first, but once it gets hot, its just the same... Also, it really screwed up my car, not mechanically, just turned off mty temp gauge and kept the fans running on high all the time. I now have a 180.. i can tell a differnce, and I have had no problems.. go to autozone... i spent 6 bucks for it all with a lifetime warrantee. so i would go 180 over 160 and get the manual fan switch mod, or buy the switch from SLP... Good luck<hr></blockquote>


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