Thermostat 160 or 180 on 600hp 10.5 cr

[Heimedw]

I'm trying to decide if I should go with a 160 or 180. My motor was dyno on pump gas 91 octane here in Canada and that's with trusting it has no ethanol. It's a stroker big block with a cr of 10:5:1. It had no destination problems in its dyno runs but they ran the coolant at 170 in the tests. My fear isn't overheating but detonating in the summer heat. Detonation is very bad and more so with more horsepower. What are you guys running in your high horsepower high cr engines?

 

[Dennis H]

180 Stant Superstat. Green coolant.

 

[Jerry Hall]

I'm running 160 thermostats in all of mine, including my Gen III conversion cars. All the old iron that I have brought and restored that were untouched had 160's in them from the factory. I don't use any ethanol fuel in any either. It turns to water and rots gas tanks. Stabilizer only puts it off temporarily. Gas is the only problem around here as 90 octane no ethanol is the best we can get at the pump. So I resort to the airport for 100 octane low lead and a few additives for lubrication.

 

[Dennis H]

For me, EFI requires 180 plus in order to self learn. Wish I could get ethanol free here. My understanding is that a little heat reduces wear.

 

[Jerry Hall]

For me, EFI requires 180 plus in order to self learn. Wish I could get ethanol free here. My understanding is that a little heat reduces wear.

So far I'm having no problems out of either of my conversion cars. Both Gen III engines came with a 201 degree thermostat which I changed to 160's. One has an aftermarket computer and the other is using a modified Chrysler computer. Thanks for the tip, if I develop a problem I will look at going back to the 201.

 

[Dennis H]

That info came from Edelbrock. A Pro Flo 4 owner was having issues and a tech said 180 is needed for self learn.

 

[wagonman]

Going to change from the 160 to a 180 in the 10.5-1 470 with Trick Flow240s. Need to build some heat in it to run more efficentlly , running to cold wears the cyls to fast. Like a marine engine, they just dont last.

 

[GetX'd]

My engine is comparable in the stats you provided. I’ve always run a 180 and think it’s the ticket from everything I’ve read and experienced.

 

[wyrmrider]

good points above
160 is not enough to heat the oil to evaporate water vapor in the oil
180 0r 195
If 195 does not work something else is wrong like not enough quench
did you say AL heads?- makes a big difference
hard to keep open chamber iron heads from rattleing without reverse deflector pistons or race gas and race rpm
Canada I'd run Eurospec 0w-40 full synthetic made from Natural gas MB spec 229 and BMW LL designed for sliding cam followers
believe about cold temp and wear 0w gives much better cold start protection with no downsides

 

[Dennis H]

Agreed on 0 weight cold flow.

 

[69hemibeep]

The stat sets the minimum temp after warm up and your engine will run warmer depending on conditions. That said I prefer 180 for performance and help keeping the oil pollutants cooked out

 

[beanhead]

 

[Jerry Hall]

No offense to anyone, but tell me what gets burned out at 180 that won't go at 160? Only thing I know is that it takes 212 to kill germs, anything else is just hot water. Even though I run 160 thermostats, most of my cars actually run in traffic between 170 and 190. I can agree with computers being setup to learn and optimize adjustments at a certain temperatures, but I would think that is a programmable setting. I will go with @beanhead on his last post.

 

[69hemibeep]

Cooked out is the wrong term Sorry. If its a race car that gets frequent oil changes then it doesn't matter. Cars & Transportation Maintenance & Repairs

Consequences of engine running cold?

hi, my engine has been running cold for the last week(150 to 160 deg F) and im pretty sure the thermostats stuck open(lukewarm air from heat, engine never reaches normal operating temperature), im going to get it replaced next week, i would just like to know will this cause any damage to the engine or any other... show more

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Best Answer: Consequences of engine running cold are :-

Increased engine wear and corrosion due to a greater concentration of combustion acids, poorly fitting parts and excess fuel and water (condensation) in the oil.

 

[wyrmrider]

you should be fine that short a period
carb fuel wash is much harder on your motor
you can get one of those $20 Infra red temp checkers at Harbor freight

 

[Heimedw]

I got a 180 superstat on order. Has anyone tried this new evens waterless coolant? It says that it will eliminate afterboil, sounds like a great benefit. If so any thoughts

 

[Johnpat]

160 in my Hemi stroker.
Use 110oct added to 93oct.no over heating
or knocking

 

[Jerry Hall]

The last event that I went to at the Welborn Muscle Museum, there was a demonstration of the waterless coolant. Tim Welborn has bought the conversion machine and will be running it in all his cars.

I got a 180 superstat on order. Has anyone tried this new evens waterless coolant? It says that it will eliminate afterboil, sounds like a great benefit. If so any thoughts

 

[Dennis H]

Evans mixed reviews. Green is best.

 

[Cranky]

If you're looking for lower ET, my old street Freds ran faster with 160 but none of my Mopars ever did. My street cars ran 180 in the summer and 195 in the winter. Yeah, even in Texas it got cold.....