Vortec Temp - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

smoky02 · 09-30-2009, 03:02 PM

I wanted to start a thread asking how many of your guys that are vortecs are running a 160 thermostat. I had a 180 in mine, I just installed a new cam and a few other mods and one of the mods was a 160 thermostat. It's running great and I'm not having any problems but a few of my friends are saying that the motor needs to be warmer to get everything out of it. Just thought I'd ask ya'lls opinions.

Thanks in advance,

Brandon

69GMCLonghorn · 09-30-2009, 03:07 PM

By running the motor hotter, it can sometimes run a little more efficiently, but probably not noticeably in your case. Also, some people will say that the "sensors" need to be hotter than that to get out of the cold mode. Not so. About 140° is where they go into normal operating mode.

I have a '95 Chevy with a Vortec that I've run with a 160° T-stat for 14 years. It has always passed smog and has never missed a beat.

What I really like about running a cool T-stat is when you run into a situation where it is heating up a little, you have a LOT of leeway before it overheats. If you're already at 195° and you heat up, you're done.

One last thing: Hot metal will suffer from metal fatigue faster than cooler metal. You run it cooler, your engine (in theory) should last longer. Mine is at 190,000 and still doesn't blow oil, althought I know this isn't solely because of a 160° T-stat.

09-30-2009, 03:02 PM	#1
smoky02 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sunny, Florida, some might call it South Alabama Posts: 834	Vortec Temp I wanted to start a thread asking how many of your guys that are vortecs are running a 160 thermostat. I had a 180 in mine, I just installed a new cam and a few other mods and one of the mods was a 160 thermostat. It's running great and I'm not having any problems but a few of my friends are saying that the motor needs to be warmer to get everything out of it. Just thought I'd ask ya'lls opinions. Thanks in advance, Brandon __________________ Just sold my C10...sad day... Looking for a 1972 Blazer to hopefully fill the hole in my heart.

09-30-2009, 03:07 PM	#2
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: Vortec Temp By running the motor hotter, it can sometimes run a little more efficiently, but probably not noticeably in your case. Also, some people will say that the "sensors" need to be hotter than that to get out of the cold mode. Not so. About 140° is where they go into normal operating mode. I have a '95 Chevy with a Vortec that I've run with a 160° T-stat for 14 years. It has always passed smog and has never missed a beat. What I really like about running a cool T-stat is when you run into a situation where it is heating up a little, you have a LOT of leeway before it overheats. If you're already at 195° and you heat up, you're done. One last thing: Hot metal will suffer from metal fatigue faster than cooler metal. You run it cooler, your engine (in theory) should last longer. Mine is at 190,000 and still doesn't blow oil, althought I know this isn't solely because of a 160° T-stat.



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