Quote:
Originally Posted by Dynomite
I think you can find cooler Thermostats down to 160 deg but my theory is the LT5 engine operates best with 180 deg Thermostat and both a 160 deg and 180 deg thermostat will be fully open at say 185 deg F.
The 160 deg just opens sooner but does not keep the engine cooler than a 180 deg thermostat once the 180 deg Thermostat is fully open. The 160 deg thermostat will keep the engine down to say 165 deg on cool days which is too cold I think. The cooler Thermostat will set the bottom temperature but does nothing to set the top temperature once both thermostats are fully open.
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I never took 'thermal dynamics', so I don't know the proper physics terms for it. But, you're right: The greater the heat differential between the radiator (coolant) and the ambient air, the greater the rate at which (therms or calories or whatever) will transfer (to the air, in this case)*.
*Plotting the temp over time, the graph would describe the change over time according to the natural log of decay. This would explain why it usually requires a lager capacity radiator and sometimes increased (fan) air volume coupled with a lower temp thermostat to bring the coolant temperature down to the lower 'stat opening point. IOW, the closer the coolant is to the ambient air temperature, the slower the coolant temperature falls (unless and until the motor adds more heated coolant to the radiator), all else being equal.