thermostat question

[greenasgrass]

i have read lots of info on this subject, and have a more specific question for anyone who can answer. the owners manual says the thermostat controls what temp the coolant starts flowing at. so if i replaced my 195 deg stock therm with a 180 deg, wouldnt coolant start flowing sooner and cool the engine down faster? it also says the coolant is good for 150,000 miles, is that right?

thanks guys [img]graemlins/dunce.gif[/img]

[Redsix]

The coolant does start to flow sooner BUT.... The key is DO THE FANS ACTIVATE SOONER?? (BTW, I'm not screaming ;) )

I have become somewhat of an expert at this due to the fact I want my car to run cooler. Soooo..., I bought a Jet Chip thinking it would activate the fans sooner but I was wrong. It does perform better, especially on a cool morning, but it doesn't operate the fans like I thought it would. Soooo, I got a fan switch. This is the solution, other than reprograming the PCM(more expensive). And you can operate the fans for however long your little heart desires. [img]smile.gif[/img] I do have a 160 stat and my engine runs hotter than the fires of HELL (210 in traffic and most of the time) because the coolant is running through the engine sooner) but the FANS ARE OFF!! You need to have the fans on for the coolant to really take its designated effect. Unless you live in Alaska or something I would go with the fan switch. It took me a long time to discover this but this is the key. Putting a 160 stat doesn't do SHI**!! You haver to tell the car it is there. The Jet Chip does this (I think), buuuuut....I don't run the freak'n fans. So get the switch buddy and all your cooling problems will be over. :D

[greenasgrass]

thanks for all the info! did you buy a fan or do a ghetto install? any good websites for a home fans switch install?
[img]graemlins/dunce.gif[/img]

[Dominic]

A significantly larger radiator will allow you to not need a fan switch...

A thermostat is nothing more than a spring controlled valve. The hotter the temp, the looser the spring becomes, eventually allowing the waterpressure to push it open and flow past it.

[Redsix]

I got the SLP Fan switch. I don't like thae fact of soldering and taping wires. Shorting a wire out is a bad thing. ;) Good luck.

[Dojo2000]

http://web.nmsu.edu/~shanemar/camaro...fanswitch.html

Its pretty simple actually. All you have to do is read the diagram. I would never pay $70 for something that could be made with $10 worth of parts. If you Search you'll find lots of tips on installing one on your own. Email me if you have any questions.

[viper98885]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dominic:
A significantly larger radiator will allow you to not need a fan switch...

A thermostat is nothing more than a spring controlled valve. The hotter the temp, the looser the spring becomes, eventually allowing the waterpressure to push it open and flow past it.<hr></blockquote>

If you are sitting in traffic with your AC off, the engine will still heat up. The fan switch and 160 degree combo is great. While driving at normal speeds, you can have the fan off and the air blowing across the radiator will cool the coolant, then when you are sitting at a stop or in traffic, turn the fan on. I usually run my fan anytime that I am not on the expressway.