thermostat

[01hdcrewcab4x4black]

hey has any one with the 6.0 put a 160 degree therostat

in there truck if so how does it work and what does it run

[Iceman]

I don't have an HD but i have a 5.3L with the 160 degree powerstat from hypertech. it lets the engine get more water and it runs cooler all the time. in the hot weather the fan will rarely kick in. i am very happy with mine.

 

 

2000 GMC Z71, 5.3L, Flowmaster, K&N FIPK, HPP III, Poweraid TBS, 16X8 Nitros, 285 BFG's

[sillsmack]

I don't know for sure, but most of these late model computer controlled cars & trucks have the powertrain computer monitoring the coolant temp.

 

If you run a cooler thermostat to lower the coolant operating temp, the computer will read that as an engine which is not yet up to operating temperature.

 

It may turn up the fuel a bit, or , it may do nothin at all.

 

My '98 Chrokee ran lousey and knocked when I replaced the 195 Thermostat with a 180 then worst yet when I tried a 160.

 

MY ADVISE :

Id give it a try and monitor your fuel consumption.

Pay close attention to engine sound listening for knocks or other unusual strange sounds.

 

 

~Mack

[TxDoc]

I read this on the LS1 site:

 

The LS1 guys had the 160 vs 180 thermostat issue come up and the recommendation was:

 

"The 180 thermostat will not change your temperature much at all, so if you want cooler running temps go with the 160 thermo. In order to take full advantage of a colder thermostat, you must have your fan settings set to come on sooner. A thermostat opens at the given coolant temperature (i.e. - 160* for a 160* thermostat), sending coolant to the block earlier or later. It does not directly lower operating temperatures. With the stock fan settings and a colder thermostat, the engine will run cooler on the highway, but as soon as you get stuck in traffic, even for a short time, the temp will creep back up again."

 

and

 

" I put a colder thermostat in my car and the gauge reads the same temperature as before! What happened?

 

Answer: If you've taken the steps to modify the fan settings (such as the HPP3) then you should see a difference in the temperature gauge if you have a 98 F-body. If you've got a 99 or newer, you must keep in mind that the gauge is not accurate enough to show a drop in running temps. It is set up to go to a preset level and stay there even if the operating temperature varies by 15-20F. The 98 gauges will fluctuate as the temperature goes up and down, and GM felt that new car owners might be alarmed with this happening. In essence, the 99 and newer coolant gauge is little more than an idiot light."

 

 

How can I modify my stock thermostat to open sooner?

 

"How to make your own custom Thermostat

http://www.ls1.com/customthermostat.htm

 

http://www.ls1.com/customthermostat_files/image001.jpg

 

The thermostats on the 98+ LS1 engines are designed in one piece which includes the outer casing.

 

http://www.ls1.com/customthermostat_files/image003.jpg

 

The Thermostat can easily be dismantled by twisting out the upper portion that holds the springs down as shown.

 

http://www.ls1.com/customthermostat_files/image004.jpg

 

The wax which controls the opening and closing of the thermostat through it's expansion if inside the casing. You'll notice the channel at the bottom of the casing.

 

http://www.ls1.com/customthermostat_files/image005.jpg

 

Here you can see how the plunger which controls the opening and closing of the valve falls into this channel.

 

http://www.ls1.com/customthermostat_files/image006.jpg

 

To make the thermostat opening earlier it is quite simple. All we need to do is make the plunger longer causing the wax to open it earlier. This can be accomplished by placing a spacer at the bottom of the channel where the plunger sits. People have found that using a spacer of .06 - .09 will yield a thermostat which will open between 172-180 degrees."

 

 

 

 

hope that helps.

[BDBWTE]

For what its worth I've heard from GM mechanics that the motor needs to run a little hot in stock trim that is the way that the motor makes power.  Don't ask me I'm just passing on what I've learned from a certified GM mechanic and no he's not a jerk-off.