Thermostat Question

[jhkcam]

How worthwhile is it to get a low temp thermostat and which should i go with for my 3.4L camaro (160* or 180*)

I'm curious b/c the price is so cheap (around $13 for 160* at thunder racing)

http://www.thunderracing.com/index.c...ategoryid=1040

and claims to produce a noticable performance difference. Obviously it is going to be better to keep the engine running cooler, but does this part really produce anything noticable? Is this just an easy, cheap,worthwhile mod?

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1995 3.4L Camaro
Mods: K&N FIPK air filter, cat-back exhaust to come soon, and any small worthwhile upgrades possibly like the one above

[ssbauer]

I replaced my thermo with a 180 plus I replaced the coolant as well. The car runs alot cooler.

I didn't really notice any performance difference. However, the car never liked anything lower than 89 octane before. I can now run 87 if I choose to.

[ October 08, 2002: Message edited by: ssbauer ]</p>

[Camarorulz]

Do a search for posts about thermostats: trust me, you will more than likely find every bit of information on them that you could possibly want!

[Landon]

I changed my thermo this weekend to a 180..My car still runs at 210 like always..I'm confused??, anyone know anything i can do to fix it..I also changed the fluid while I was at it..

www.cardomain.com/id/allwhiters97 [img]graemlins/fluffy.gif[/img]

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Landon:
I changed my thermo this weekend to a 180..My car still runs at 210 like always..I'm confused??, anyone know anything i can do to fix it..I also changed the fluid while I was at it..

www.cardomain.com/id/allwhiters97 [img]graemlins/fluffy.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>


Changing the thermostat does NOT make your engine run cooler. It only lowers the MINIMUM operating temperature. You will need a manual fan switch to keep the engine temperature at the temperature you want.

[Dominic]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ssbauer:
I replaced my thermo with a 180 plus I replaced the coolant as well. The car runs alot cooler.

I didn't really notice any performance difference. However, the car never liked anything lower than 89 octane before. I can now run 87 if I choose to.

[ October 08, 2002: Message edited by: ssbauer ]<hr></blockquote>


The temperature gauge is not accurate enough to show a 20degree drop... Around town you will not run cooler because of our severely undersized radiator - this is why most people adjust the fans to come on sooner using a HPP3 (2000-2002) or they get a manual fan switch.

On the highway is where the 180 will be beneficial due to the radiator size.