Cuda340

The Feb. 2010 issue of Road & Track magazine had a good discussion of the "benefits" of installing a lower thermostat. I thought that their comments were interesting since they support those of the SRT engineers in various Chat Sessions. Specifically, R & T was addressing a reader who wanted to install a 170 degree thermostat in his 2006 Corvette to improve performance. Here is their answer:

"Our thought is that someone is happy to sell thermostats, especially given all the talk about engines running better if they are cooler. If that were the case, then Chevrolet would have selected a cooler engine operating temperature. But they didn't and that's because everything from oil viscosity, combustion chamber temperatures, air/fuel ratio, heater and defroster efficiency, etc., is designed to run in the 190 to 200 degree range (often 193).

Of course, everything is a compromise and enthusiasts are quick to point to cooler intake charge air as making more power. True, but cooling the entire engine below its designated running temperature to eek down the charge temperature exacts a mileage, emissions, and longevity price for marginal power gains.

Colder thermostats have a place in hot rodding when significant power increases, most often from adding a supercharger, require greater reserves for momentary overheating. But in a stock or near-stock engine, the design operating temperature yields the best fuel economy, emissions compliance, and engine life."