by what the old guys say, the cooler a chev runs,the better.

 

use a 180 stat

 

GM installs a 190 + degree themostats in all it's new ZZ series small block crate engines. That strongly suggests to me that the factory wants them to run 190+. I run a Robert Shaw 195 in all my Chevrolet powered rides. NEVER a problem.

Newer engines, 1980 or so up, are designed to run warmer. The saying 'the cooler the better' was real popular way back then. That was then. This is now.

All the Nascar teams want their engines to run over 200 degrees. They make more power. 190 -200 degrees makes everything run better in a later model SBC

Just my 2 cents.......


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Here's what I've found out over the years.

Carburetor = 190 - 195 degree thermostats

Fuel Injection = 160 - 180 degree thermostats

Carbuertors aren't as efficent at atomizing the fuel, so a warmer intake charge makes for a better mix, on carburated engines I usually run a 195 deg stat.

Fuel Injectors do a very good job @ atomizing the fuel, so you can run a colder stat, it usually helps to have a custom chip or custom programming to take advantage of running a 160 or 180 degree stat. But the colder the air the denser the air, so a well mixed cold dense charge will make more horsepower than a hot charge, so that's why Fuel Injected cars make good power running colder than a comprable Carburated car. Also most of the newer cars espically the OBDII ones will add more timing if it senses a colder intake charge, more timing usually equals more horsepower.

[ March 23, 2003: Message edited by: jamnut ]</p>

 

thermostat

I run a 160 degree thermostat in my carberated big block Ford and it runs much better than it did with a 195. I read a magazine article where they dyno tested a Mercury Cougar with a 429 in it and it made 30 more hp with a 160 stat than it did with 195 stat. I am a believer it made a differnce in mine, and the numbers don't lie, but thats my 2cents worth.

 

Everyone at the track tells me to cool it off but my motor runs its best and most consistant at 185-190. Makes for warm run back to the pits. But I have installed a blower motor for a waterpump drive, and run an 18" electric fan. so I can usually get the car to come back down to 140 or lower before I even get back to my trailer

 

I wouldn't go any colder than a 180

 

I run the 160 deg thermostat, Fan shroud and good 5 blade fan.
As a backup I run and electric fan on the radiator, thermostat and manual operated. I like to keep the sbc running cool, at 190 or below.


Tazz


Rat Rods Rule!

 

i run a 195 in my 1971 350, warms up quick and runs great, thats aslo what all the other guys around here run. Also my shop teachers brother works for GM R&D and we asked him a similar quesiton and he said 195 would be great for the aplication, with a cluth fan and such.

 

160 is to cold for optimum engine life I like to use a 180 usually but in fuel injected engines stick to what the factory used which is generally a 195

 

160 is all I use for carbed engines and 180 for fuel injection.Any t-stat you use your running temps will be higher than the t-stats opening point,195 is good for nothing except lowering the emisions it is not good for engine performance or longeveity.

 

I couldn't disagree more all the info and wear graphs I have ever seen show ring wear is dramatically higher when operating temperature is below 180 not to mention the fact that high engine temperatures ensure that condensation from the combustion process is burned off completely.

 

Do those wear graphs take into consideration outside ambiant air temps,whats the point of having a 195 t-stat when its 30 degrees celsius.A 160 or 180 or 195 tstat does not mean that your engine temps will be 160 or 180 or 195,they will always be higher unless your in a cold climate.Condensation burnoff is more of a factor in the length of time a motor is running than a t-stat.

 

Well you partly right a 160 degree termostate starts to open at 160 but isn't completely open until 180 degree how ever a range of 180-200 is are more ideal operating range which is what your should theretically get from a 180 stat. I realize how ever that there is alot of different points of view on this matter.

 

Ok now this opens up a another couple questions then, I was watching Hot Rod TV and they were comparing aluminum heads vs cast iron and the stated that heat equaled horsepower. That's why if everything were the same on the heads the cast irons would generate more pony's.

The other question is Oil coolers, if I'm running an oil cooler, then I know I'm keeping the operating temp down. There must be a "sweat spot" to make the emissions low and engine life and horsepower high. Where is the magic sweat spot?

Regards
Mark