I have an '04 Suburban 6.0L and I've been toying with the idea of installing a 160 degree thermostat. I have a 1996 Impala SS and have done this and the car runs well, though I needed to have the electric fans programmed differently, this is not the case with the Suburban with the mechanical fan.

I have heard that the '04 will behave differently (shifting, etc) if the truck gets a 160 stat and no programming. I've searched the forum for this info, but could not come across the info.

If I do go with a 160 degree stat for the Suburban (6.0L), even though it has a single mechanical fan, will I need to re-program the PCM?

Thanks.

 

I have 2004 Silverado SS that I changed to a 160 stat and it works like a charm without programming, runs right at 175 to 180. The radiators aren't big enough on these vehicles to cool one down to 160 in the summer or fall, I haven't been thru winter yet, so I'll know then if it runs any cooler. In the dead of summer with the A/C on, it still runs over 200. The computer knows no different.

 

That good to know. On my Impala, the 160 stat in the heat of summer towing 6300lbs the engine rarely got to 200. I wonder why the 6.0L in the heat of summer passes 200 still. I think 210 is too hot, though our 1985 454 Suburban also rested year round at 210 as well.

Not sure why 210 is a magic number here compared to say 180.

Anyone else do the 160 stat mod on a 6.0L truck?

 

I did on my 04 SS it runs right at 175 hot or cold... but i have the ls1 electric fans which i think work better than the stock fan...