My engine gives off a lot of heat, but it doesnt overheat. The temperature gage is always in the middle between hot and cold. Can I just remove the thermostat, and run the car without one? Will this damage the engine at all? Or should I just buy a "cooler" thermostat?

 

What year is your car? The '99 and up gauges all read just below 210 unless you're overheating. I have a 160 and fans set really low, gauge still reads the same.

 

Get a 160 degree t-stat. It is never a good idea to run a car without a thermostat.

 

Its a 2002 Z28. So its not a good idea to run it without a 'stat? Where can I get the 'stat for a good price? Only online or inside local stores? Thanks guys.

 

the ls1 runs most efficiently (and produces the most power) at a block temperature between 180 and 195

 

They run about $50-60 new because you have to buy the housing as well. I see them for sale used all the time on the different boards for $35-40. You will also need to get in the computer with LS1Edit, HPTuners, a Hypertech, etc. and adjust the fan on/off temps.

 

Holy smokes! Sounds like I need to open my own F-body shop, and soon!!!!

If you don't want to spend the $60 to get a new one, you could just order from Jegs.com. Order part number 847-100228. This is a new low temperature thermostat for the LS1. Price is $24.99.

Remember, a 160* thermostat will not make your engine run at that temperature, it just starts to OPEN at the specified temp.

Good luck,
Ben

 

Well it's about time somebody started selling just the t-stat. This is great! Do you know if they come with a new housing o-ring?

Thanks

 

I am not sure because I live literally 15 mins away from TR, and I just picked up one from there (with the housing) when I had my car apart for something else.

The o-ring on my old one was just fine. I would have reused it with ZERO worries. I wouldn't worry about a new one unless the new stat had one in the package.

Ben

 

The t-stat and housing looked like it was mated.

I picked up one from Autozone for a little over $20. Wasn't Hypertech but so what? I don't need to spend extra for a name.

 

Oh ****, so I also need to buy a computer tuner? Have you guys seen these products that you plug into your cigarette lighter and they tell you the hp, torque, 1/4 mile times, all that stuff? Is that a computer tuner? Stupid question.

 

Is there a different way to turn on the fans sooner, without a tuner? What will happen, if anything, if I just replace the thermostat? Will it still run cooler? Or is it the fans going on sooner that make it run slower? Thanks for all of the help guys.

 

the thing you are looking at for hp, torque etc...is just a performace meter. it is NOT a tuner.

and you don't NEED a tune to take advantage of the lower stat. any time the car is moving the temperature will be lower and keep the engine cooler. the only time fans are helpfull is in heavy traffic or in the staging lanes at the track.

as far as the benefits in traffic...who cares about 5hp extra in rush hour?? stock settings are sufficient to prevent damage to the engine. hence...no tuning needed.

for the track..yeah it helps. but for $60 (less if you guy/make it yourself) you can get a fan switch to turn the fans on whenever you want. no need to spend $300+ on a handheld tuner that is only usefull for shift points, gear changes and fan settings.

people continue to insist lower stats are useless without a tune. i've run one in 2 cars, for nearly 5yrs total....never had a tune to adjust fan settings and saw noticable differences with both cars.

 

Thanks a lot teke184. Are the thermostats availabel at Autozone, Kragen, or Napa Autoparts stores? Or do I need to order one online?