50 bucks for a 168 degree thermostat?????

[r55nls2002]

I have been out on the web searching for parts for my HD. I came across a 168 degree thermostat at Shark Racing. They want 50 Bucks for it... This sounds like highway robbery to me. Has anyone bought one of these? Is it really worth 50 Bucks??

Does it give you like 100 extra hp? (Just Kidding)

[hyunelan2]

You don't want a higher T-stat. That will just make your car get hotter before it opens up and lets coolant flow.

[NovaResource]

168-deg isn't higher, it's lower than stock. Stock is about 195-deg.

Also, a lower rated T-stat doesn't really make the car run any cooler, it just opens sooner and delays the engine from getting to max temps. But trust me, it still gets just as hot. To make the car run cooler you need a better cooling system (radiator, water pump, etc).

The thermostat is just a coolant flow restriction. A thermostat is used to set a minimum coolant temp, not a maximum.

A 195-deg thermostat is fully open at 195-degrees. A 168-deg thermostat is fully open at 168-deg. That means when the engine coolant is at 168 degrees, the coolant is flowing at it's maximum amount with a 168-deg thermostat while a 195-deg thermostat is only open maybe about 50%. With a 195-deg thermostat, the engine temp gets to 195-degrees sooner but even with a 168-deg thermostat, the engine temps will still get just as high unless you have a larger capacity radiator with the ability to keeps temps lower.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cooling-system8.htm

[hyunelan2]

ah. I didn't pay any attention to what temperature it was. I just figured if it was coming from Shark, it would be the higher rated one.

[r55nls2002]

I know how it works. But come on 50 Bucks... You can probably get the same t-stat at advance auto parts for like 10...
I believe the stock t-stat opens at 180 degrees.

[NovaResource]

I know how it works. But come on 50 Bucks... You can probably get the same t-stat at advance auto parts for like 10...
I believe the stock t-stat opens at 180 degrees.

Unless you have an upgraded cooling system, that lower temp T-stat does nothing for you. It's $50 for no improvement. So, no, it's not worth it.

[Cypher]

You also have to figure that you're paying shipping from korea, so thats a bit of the money as well

[RotaMan99]

A 195-deg thermostat is fully open at 195-degrees. A 168-deg thermostat is fully open at 168-deg.

Thats when it starts to open. Fully open can be above 200*F. Around 210*F. Most of the time t-stats do not fully open at all.

That 50 dollar T-stat may last many more years longer than your $10 T-stat. It depends on how and what its made out of.

Unless you have an upgraded cooling system, that lower temp T-stat does nothing for you. It's $50 for no improvement. So, no, it's not worth it.

If you racing, usually you have a upgraded cooling system yes I know but even if you don't, using a lower T-stat and having an electric fan on all at time till you launch can keep the engine cooler and you will be able to run more fuel and get more power.

[NovaResource]

Thats when it starts to open. Fully open can be above 200*F. Around 210*F. Most of the time t-stats do not fully open at all.

That 50 dollar T-stat may last many more years longer than your $10 T-stat. It depends on how and what its made out of.

If you racing, usually you have a upgraded cooling system yes I know but even if you don't, using a lower T-stat and having an electric fan on all at time till you launch can keep the engine cooler and you will be able to run more fuel and get more power.

Silly boy. Learn how the cooling system of a car works before posting please. Thanks.

[Cypher]

The thermostat starts to open usually about 20 degrees lower than the temperature that its rated at. I.E. a 185* thermostat beings to open roughly around 165*.

[cclngthr]

The thermostat starts to open usually about 20 degrees lower than the temperature that its rated at. I.E. a 185* thermostat beings to open roughly around 165*.

Right. I tested several stats and those 195 degree stats start opening up at 175-180. They are fully open at 195.

[Dust]

Unless you can set your fans to come on when the stat opens, you won't get much benefit. My GTP had a 180, and it would flow at 180, but because the fan didn't come on till 195, I didn't get much benefit.

[RotaMan99]

Silly boy. Learn how the cooling system of a car works before posting please. Thanks.

I have been around cooling systems for many years thank you very much.

It must depend on the thermostat and possible brand because 190 degree t-stat usually starts opening at around 190*F. (180-192) Thats why they label it as 190 degree, this would be the temp the engine will usually sit at as well unless you put the engine under heavy load. The t-stat would be fully open above 200*F.

Unless you can set your fans to come on when the stat opens, you won't get much benefit. My GTP had a 180, and it would flow at 180, but because the fan didn't come on till 195, I didn't get much benefit.

It could help while drive under light loads but you could also wire a switch into the fan circuit so you could manually switch it on while waiting to to a run at the strip to keep the engine cool.