I was wondering what thermostat I should get. I live in Oklahoma so should I do a 160 or 180. Also, what parts do I need for the coolant bypass. I have read the posts on here already but don't follow them that good. Would anybody be willing to post it explaining it a little better. Thanks for the help!

 

Well as far as the thermostat goes, several people recommend running the 160* so as to help lower engine temps and give the truck more power. However several more educated people have stated previously that running a lower temperature causes a loss in fuel economy. Why that is I'm not certain but I believe Argon was the first who mentioned this so you might ask him.

Secondly, most people get a small metal line and simply bolt the 2 hoses going to the throttle body together this way. However Damnyankee has recently informed us that this can be done by stretching one of the hoses to meet up where the other comes out of the engine. Which one goes where I'm not sure so you'd have to ask him to get further details on that.

 

If you lived just a little closer i would come show you how to do the coolant bypass. I just went and bought a coupler and a couple hose claps and a few caps. And you take the two hoses off the tb and then coupler the two together and the hose clamp them. Then i put two caps on the tb were the hose comes off.

 

I used a 180 on my current truck because my last truck had a 160 and in the winter it would never get warm enough in the cab to take the chill off.

 

so in MI i would want to go with a 180* stat and the coolent bypass is prob not a good idea for me because it helps with starting or something like that when its cold, Correct?

 

I agree. 160 and you'll need 30 minutes of driving to get warm. TB bypass could mean a sticking throttle in single digits and negative temps.

 

So, what temp is the stock one? From what I hear right now I am going to do the 180. What kind of caps do I need to fill the holes in throttle body and I also thought we were to use steel brakeline is that not right anymore?

 

You need a tube or fitting of somekind to join the two cooling lines together and pick up a set od small hose clamps too. I used tire valve stem caps to cover the inlet and outlet of my TB. Anything that you can get to stick on there but still be able to pull it back off in case you have to put it back together again. Stock thermostats on our trucks are 195 stats. Which means it will open at 195 but the temp will usually get to 200 or better. A 180 thermostat will open part-way at 180, all the way at 195. Opening early/part way at 180 keeps the temp down a little better. All-in-all the 180 stat keeps you engine around 195 consistantly where stock thermostats will be between 200-210 consistantly. A 160 is the same deal but it keeps it down to 180 consistantly, which sucks for low temps outside. Now this is for the new motors, the 5.3, 4.8, 6.0.