Interesting, because I've been concerned with keeping my truck at a consistent specific temp, figuring that it would be well, more consistent in the way it performed. The temps that my fans were supposed to be set at by PCMforLess (180 on 173 off) are what Bryan called the "SLP specs", which I'm assuming is what SLP uses with their 160* stat on f-bodies and such. After checking with a scan tool, turns out that my fans actually turn on at 177 and off at 170, and my engine usually runs right around there. Depending on ambient temp and driving conditions, the fans seem to cycle as much or as little as the e-fan equipped factory vehicles that I've been working on through the years, except for very hot summer days with hard driving where they seem to come on and stay on, which makes sense considering the on and off temps. I will have the current temps adjusted when I get a BlackBear tune, at the same time that I do my trans swap, but now have a few things to consider before I swap my LQ9...

Hopefully this info will help the OP in his thermostat choice...

 

Billy... hi it's me.

So is there a 160 stat that you'd prefer? I have the Hypertech 160 with the fans, and you know the rest.

 

Man, great info here... not to thread jack but seems like the best place for my question... im running stock tstat, unsure of fan settings (have to ask tuner), roush tvs 1900 @ about 6-7lbs(no gauge yet)....replaced stock trans cooler for tru cool 40k, temps only get to 150*ish in 95* weather, i also have the factory oil cooler, oil and water temps stay at about 194*-200* give or take, so my question is should i even bother changing my tstat cuz i was lookin onto a 160*? Thankd for any info...

 

My question would be why not change it?

 

I think this is one issue that has no right or wrong answer. At the end of the day the GM Engineers are pretty smart dudes. But of course I changed my T-stat. I think the real answer is where do you live, what climate is the truck used in, and for what purpose?
For me, I am in Southern California where the median temp is 73 F. There is a big swing here in temp. Today I went to work at 6:30 AM and it was 45 F. Last week it was 100 F here.
So my truck has a SLP T-Stat 160 F installed. Custom tune but have not changed fan settings. My understanding from Justin at Blackbear is that the LS motors make more power when heads are 185-195 F. So lucky for me looking at my Aeroforce Scan Guage everyday I see my operating temp right in the peak range. I guess the point of what I am saying is....the T-Stat swap benefit depends on the operating climate...

 

Why not change it? Its about $30 and took me 30 min. To replace it.

 

I live in south louisiana... pretty warm and humind most of the year but can get pretty cold in the winter... guess i was second guessing it due to the talk of oil temps and i have an oil cooler... imagine ill go ahead and get one then...it was kind of a "doh" moment when installing everything i didnt grab one then.. thanks guys...

 

Out here is California my oil temp is consistent at 205 F with a 160 F Tstat.

 

Hey Lisa...I don't have a personal preference, I believe that there's only a few companies that actually make the stats and then the other aftermarket companies such as Hypertech, SLP, etc. just rebox them. I had a Hypertech 180* stat, and now an SLP 160* stat, and IIRC they had the same markings on them...

 

fwiw, west tx here and i have a slp 160 but am planning on waiting till nxt spring to install it