Vortec Temp

[69GMCLonghorn]

By running the motor hotter, it can sometimes run a little more efficiently, but probably not noticeably in your case. Also, some people will say that the "sensors" need to be hotter than that to get out of the cold mode. Not so. About 140° is where they go into normal operating mode.

I have a '95 Chevy with a Vortec that I've run with a 160° T-stat for 14 years. It has always passed smog and has never missed a beat.

What I really like about running a cool T-stat is when you run into a situation where it is heating up a little, you have a LOT of leeway before it overheats. If you're already at 195° and you heat up, you're done.

One last thing: Hot metal will suffer from metal fatigue faster than cooler metal. You run it cooler, your engine (in theory) should last longer. Mine is at 190,000 and still doesn't blow oil, althought I know this isn't solely because of a 160° T-stat.