180 or 160 degree thermostat

[nyknicks2335]

I have a 1998 3.8L Firebird, I've been searching around and researching whether to get a 180 or 160 degree thermostat.

I live it NJ and I am planning on driving the car in the winter so i'm leaning towards the 180, but which one is better? Where can I find one?

I've searched all over the web and have not been able to find a place that sells them for the 98 3.8L. Any help greatly appreciated

[hockeyman]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

180* thermostat at Autozone, part #15848, $7.99

[BobbyZ72]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

In my 97 i had a 180, never had any problems what so ever. Any auto parts store. you can use a 160, but in the winter time, it wont blow as hot so you might be cold.

[97rs4life]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

I live in michigan and have driven my camaro in 30-45 degree weather within a couple minutes of driving I have hot heat with my 160* thermo that was no different than before the swap. I do not drive it in the winter though so no idea how it is below 30*.

[Firehawk N Wv]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

I have a 160 and it seems I have to turnt the heat on high to get warm enogh and it takes the car a little longer to warm up.

[Shodown]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

I have a 160* and my heat works just fine. Its not AS hot as it used to be, but its hot enough to keep me warm and cozy on below freezing mornings.

And it doesnt matter if you have to run your heat on high longer, its not burning any more fuel like A/C does. Just a thought :)

[Niko97RS]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

I have a 160* and my heat works just fine. Its not AS hot as it used to be, but its hot enough to keep me warm and cozy on below freezing mornings.

And it doesnt matter if you have to run your heat on high longer, its not burning any more fuel like A/C does. Just a thought :)

shodown is full of useful wisdom:cool:


btw, sry again for not buying your gears lol, remember that?

[Shodown]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

Dont worry about it Niko, I'm over it and have been for a long while. :)

[Vanquish]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

Being that you live up north, I would definitately go with the 180 degree thermostat. Though, it's really your personal preference and choice to go with whatever you wish.

Also, not to sidetrack the thread or sound like a complete noob, but I thought that the stock thermostat in the 98' f-body was a 180 degree thermostat. Am I mistaken, and if so, what is the stock thermostat's degree?

[97rs4life]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

stock is 195

[Chevy16]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

i heard some year came with 180 also, forget which... i personally bought a 180 for my 96 and im from illinois, i read somewhere about a 170 thermo being perfect for hot and cold weather, thought about asking oriellys if they got 1...

[Vanquish]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

It couldn't hurt to ask. If they do have one, let me know because I wouldn't mind having one for the winter, even though I live in southern mississippi and it doesn't get that cold during our winters, just windy.

Also, not to sidetrack the thread, but how could I go about finding a list of the stock parts my '97 firebird 3800 II v6 came with. Mainly I am curious about what gears I have in it, because I was thinking about purchasing the 3.42's . Any help is greatly appreciated.

[97rs4life]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

the codes on your door tells you everything that your car came with. then go to our tech database and check the stuff out.

[Shodown]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

Mainly I am curious about what gears I have in it, because I was thinking about purchasing the 3.42's . Any help is greatly appreciated.

I have a set of 3.42's if you are interested. :) shodown6969@yahoo.com

[Vanquish]

Re: 180 or 160 degree thermostat

I will keep that in mind, thanks for the offer. Let me find out what my car has and if it doesn't have them, then I believe I will purchase them. But, if by some chance I do have the 3.42's already, then sorry I couldn't help you get them off of your hands.