Does it matter what thermostat to run with an e-fan up grade? I'm going to install the e-fans soon and just wondering if a 160 t-stat would work better than the stock 185ish t-stat? i live in the Chicago area by the way.

 

well unless your setting your efans to turn on really low then no it wont do any good.. the fans will still turn on at 195/215 deg degrees

 

The themostat will allow the truck to get down to ~15 above the thermostat temp while driving. For example a 160* will show a 176* gauge reading. It is best if you can adjust the fans down according to your thermostat.

 

Is this your DD? U have nothing listed in your sig. If anyone offers a 170* or 180*, I say go for it. I personally won't go as cool as 160*, increases power @ expense of increased wear on engine from not heatin up. Tradeoffs ya know. IMO, I think 170/180* is a nice compromise. Plus, in cold weather, the heat thrown seems warmer.

 

I put a 160 in the other day, and it stays cooler, but after moderate driving it is almost exactly what it was before i swapped out the stock stat. I haven't got my fans tuned down yet though.

 

If the coolant runs at 176* with a 160 stat, what type of additional wear is encountered?

 

If the block isn't warming up as hot, I thought I read years ago, that increases wear on cyl. walls & rings. Increased wear thru friction. No?

 

See what ChevRacer said in post #2. I also think ya'll in TX will see little difference in winter warmup since u don't have winter. vs Chitown.

 

Stoich, I posted a reply & I'd like your thoughts on my comment. I'm curious on how good my memory is. Sometimes what 1 reads is myth. But since I'm no engineer, sometimes I need better proof than a page in a car rag. Other times, I have validated for my own on whether or not I saw a gain out of a Tornado or the latest gizmo. No, I've never put a Tornado on anything!
Others can comment on the cooler 160*Tstat. Increased wear greater than power returned. Fact or fiction?

 

I don't think any additional wear will be directly related to the coolant temperature at 176*. Extra wear may come from a low oil temperature and inadequate crankcase vacuum to remove the water that condenses inside the engine. The lower coolant temp and cylinder temp allows more cylinder pressure with pump gas with resistance to detonation. With fuels like methanol you may actually gain power from increasing the coolant temp and allowing a more complete burn. I don't think this is necessary with pump gasoline. This is all opinion and I have no facts to back it up other than my own experience. Trever1t ran into the 11's with a stock thermostat, so it's not a make or break difference in power.