[Spaceme1117]

Just a quick question. Can someone confirm that the stock LT1 thermostat temperature is? From my searching, I have found 194F and some say 190F.

I want to upgrade the thermostat housing on my car and use an LS3 thermostat but also want to use a thermostat as close as possible to the stock opening temp.

Thanks.

[ctrlz]

Hope this helps:
https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549876

Below is from the repair manual. Apparently all three engines use the same thermostat. The description says it starts to open at 180, while the diagnosis guide says it starts at 194. I can't find the spec for the temp.

Mechanical Thermostat

The mechanical thermostat is positioned between the engine and the radiator. Its purpose is to control
the flow of coolant to the radiator. The thermostat will not allow coolant flow through the radiator when
cold, coolant flow occurs when the engine has warmed up. Once the engine reaches its operating
temperature, generally about 95°C (203°F), the thermostat opens. This actuation of the thermostat starts
to occur at 82°C (180°F), when the heated wax contained within a cylinder melts and rapidly expands,
pushing the rod and valve assembly out of the cylinder, opening the valve. The temperature dependent
actuation of the thermostat allows the engine to warm up as quickly as possible, the thermostat reduces
engine wear, deposits and emissions. The open thermostat now allows the coolant to flow through the
engine cooling circuit to maintain optimal operation temperatures, which is achieved by directing the hot

coolant through the radiator for cooling and recirculation

DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES > THERMOSTAT DIAGNOSIS

Tools Required

J 24731

188 Tempilstick

J 24731

206 Tempilstick

The coolant thermostat can be tested using a temperature (tempil) stick. The temperature stick is a
pencil-like device which has a wax material containing certain chemicals that melt at a given
temperature. Temperature sticks can be used to determine a thermostat's operating range by rubbing 87°C (188°F) and 97°C (206°F) sticks on the outlet coolant pipe.

1. Use a tempilstick in order to find the opening and the closing temperatures of the thermostat.

1.

J 24731 188 tempilstick melts at 87°C (188°F). The thermostat should begin to open at 90°C (194°F).
2. J 24731 206 tempilstick melts at 97°C (206°F). The thermostat should be fully open at
107°C (225°F).

2. Replace the thermostat if it does not operate properly between this temperature range.

[lt4camaro]

Originally Posted by Spaceme1117

Just a quick question. Can someone confirm that the stock LT1 thermostat temperature is? From my searching, I have found 194F and some say 190F.

I want to upgrade the thermostat housing on my car and use an LS3 thermostat but also want to use a thermostat as close as possible to the stock opening temp.

Thanks.

92 celcius or 194 degrees

[Mark114]

Some people have switched to a cooler thermostat.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=584809

[Rock-It Man]

Your steady state coolant temp will not go down if you switch to a power temp thermostat. If you wan to lower that, you ned a bigger radiator.

[lt4camaro]

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

Your steady state coolant temp will not go down if you switch to a power temp thermostat. If you wan to lower that, you ned a bigger radiator.

From my personal tests on two of my own cars, a 2015 stingray and now my 2021 LT1 camaro, both cars come with a 90 celcius 194 degree stat. I have a 82 celcius stat 180 degree that I have run in both cars for thousands of miles, steady state running is a solid 15 degrees cooler per the digital temp readings.

[lt4camaro]

Originally Posted by Spaceme1117

Just a quick question. Can someone confirm that the stock LT1 thermostat temperature is? From my searching, I have found 194F and some say 190F.

I want to upgrade the thermostat housing on my car and use an LS3 thermostat but also want to use a thermostat as close as possible to the stock opening temp.

Thanks.

I have pulled a factory stat out of a 2015 stingray (my own car which I bought new and my new 2021 LT1 Camaro, both have 90 celcius stamped on the brass bud.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by lt4camaro

92 celsius or 194 degrees

Originally Posted by lt4camaro

I have pulled a factory stat out of a 2015 stingray (my own car which I bought new and my new 2021 LT1 Camaro, both have 90 celsius stamped on the brass bud.

So, can we settle on whether stock is 90 or 92 deg C?
I'll go with what's stamped, which also correlates with the diagnostic guide in the factory repair manual.
Also 90 C = 194 F,
92 C = 198 F

[lt4camaro]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

So, can we settle on whether stock is 90 or 92 deg C?
I'll go with what's stamped, which also correlates with the diagnostic guide in the factory repair manual.
Also 90 C = 194 F,
92 C = 198 F

Sorry bout that, my error, its 90 celcius stamped on the brass bud of the t-stat