were do u live dose it affect the way ur trucks starts? dose your truck warm up faster? and dose it affected the heat in the truck?

 

Popo, where did you find one for 13 bucks? All the 160's I've been looking at are right around 50 dollars. Thanks bro!

 

I got a 180 from summit racing.com. I live in Gainesville, Florida home of the National Champion Gators. The thermostat functions like normal the truck heats up and starts like it did before, the only difference is that the thermostat opens earlier @180 degrees and it flows alot better so cooling is also more efficient. this is an exact replacement meaning that you don't have to alter your truck in any way. Just be sure to take the rubber gasket off of the old thermostat and put it on the new one.
It's supposed to be in the 20's this weekend and i'm going camping, I'll let you know about the interior heat when i get back.

 

It also makes more power because your computer adds more fuel when your engine is running cold. Stock, I think the 5.3's have a 201 degree thermostat. Not positive, though. If any of you live in a warmer climate, I HIGHLY suggest the throttle body bypass.

 

I think the stock in a V8 is 201 degree. I think... Might be wrong

 

I am thinking about changing my thermostat as well, but the lowest reading on my guage is 160. So how would I be able to tell if the truck was running @ the right temp. For example if the truck were to lose alot of coolant then the temp might read at lowest setting on guage since there is no water to measure. I know this since when my waterpump was leaking and I lost alot of fluid quickly the guage then went to 160 temporarily until the fluid got back to the sensor. So how would you know without an aftermarket guage?

 

I'm don't havea clue smoke!! I'll do some research and see what I can come up with.

 

If your gauge is reading slightly under 210 degrees now, after you install a 160 degree thermostat, it will read about 180 degrees. After a throttle body bypass, it will read about 175degrees. Dunno why it gets lower after the bypass, but it does.

 

alright, I drove last nightand it was around 30 degrees outside. The interior heat warmed up just fine. I have a V6 so i couldn't do the by pass but i wanted to. I think that the temp drops after the by pass because it is one less point the coolant will come in direct contact with the hot engine.

I was thinking about the stock 160 guage too. after i drove on the interstate for a while it went about 5 degrees above the 180 mark.

I think that with a 160 it will read higher than the 160 mark and you should be able to monitor it. Of course it is just another excuse to get more gauges too!

 

For some reason, the V8's stay at the 180 mark with a 160 thermostat. Water wetter helps slightly, though. I think the radiator isn't made to allow your temps to get that low.