160 or 180 thermostat?

[LeGweg]

Which one is better?

Some say the 180 or MP 185 is better but here's a quote from Dempsey Bowling's site;

"Switch to a colder thermostat. 195^ is stock; switching to 180^ is an improvement but go with a 160^ if you can find one."

So what are you guys using? Which one is the best? 160, 180 or MP's 185?

[lametec]

I use a 180° thermostat, and personally I wouldn't go any colder.

[gasketmaster]

I have 180's in my minivans but I would have put 160's in if I could have found them

Let me know the Stant part number if you guys find a 160.

FYI:
The GN guys have been running 160 thermostats for 10+ years with no noticable down side.My Limited T-Type had 70k miles on it with a 160 stat and the block had less than .002 wear in the bores when I took it apart to put in forged pistons.

[LeGweg]

Quote:

I have 180's in my minivans but I would have put 160's in if I could have found them

Really!

Quote:

Let me know the Stant part number if you guys find a 160.

I have a 160 somewhere... I bought it at a Canadian Tire last year. I'll take a look at it and tell you the part #

[LeGweg]

Quote:

I use a 180° thermostat, and personally I wouldn't go any colder.

Why?

[ShelbyMotorspts]

Quote:

Why?

If you go to a 160 t-stat there is a good chance, depending on where you live, that your car will not go into closed loop.

Your car will run way rich and the check engine light will come on.

[daytonairoc]

This very true. I can't even get my car to warm in the winter unless I block off 3/4s the radiator. I'm using a 180 degree.

later

Quote:

Originally posted by ShelbyMotorspts If you go to a 160 t-stat there is a good chance, depending on where you live, that your car will not go into closed loop. Your car will run way rich and the check engine light will come on.

[gasketmaster]

Quote:

Originally posted by ShelbyMotorspts If you go to a 160 t-stat there is a good chance, depending on where you live, that your car will not go into closed loop. Your car will run way rich and the check engine light will come on.

What is the coolant temp that the computer goes into closed loop on the Chryslers?

On the GM stuff it's around 120 degrees.

I'll hook up my scanner and let you know

[Garret]

hell if you yankees want 160 degree ones I can get them from Canadian tire cause they are always in stock

Run a 160* thermostat and you can kiss your compression goodbye. Rings don't seal properly, excess wear, and other driveability issues will arise. I guarantee it.

[Adidasmjo]

AS quoted From Http://www.turbominivan.com

Thermostat
Our vans use a 195^ thermostat as original equipment. Horsepower makes heat, though, so it will be an advantage to switch to a colder thermostat. The best way to go is with a 180^ unit; they are inexpensive and available at parts stores everywhere. You may also see colder ones (such as 160^) but you should avoid them; going lower than 180^ will cause excessive piston ring wear and will shorten the life of your engine.

For those of you living in the snow belt, 180^ is still sufficient to warm the van during winter driving. No worries!

[glhsken]

I believe it's in the 140^ plus range that it triggers.. Also be aware.. The computers have a built in boost limiter... you will get 50% max boost on a cold motor.

My cal has had that fixed... but I did make 1 pass at the track where the car ran 11psi... had me scratching my head