160 thermostat for 2500HD (no electric fan)

[BeauxDuke]

I use my 2001 2500 HD with 8.1 and Allison primarily for towing. I'd like to install a 160 thermostat. Since I don't have electric cooling fans I'm worried how the ECU will react.

Currently I have a Gibson Cat Back Exhaust and a Vara Ram Intake along with the Diablo U7198 low octane tune. I plan to add the Gibson shorty headers next week and possibly a Granatelli MAF.

Have I overlooked something in the "Tune it" section? Is there a 160 thermostat option?

[mikel]

Do yourself a favor and avoid that MAF like the plague, unless you want to have lean codes and lose power...lol.

The 160° t-stat will not cause any issues with your mechanical fan, but I find that 160s never get to close, why not do a 180°?

Thanks
Mike

[BeauxDuke]

I guess I wasn't explicit enough in my question. Sorry, I'll try again.

I'm not concerned with the t-stat causing problems with the mechanical fan. I understand it's operation.

I wanted to know if the lower operating temperature of the engine would cause a problem with the ECU. I'm worried the engine might run rich because the ECU hadn't detected the "normal" operating temperature.

I ask this because I didn't see any options in the "tune it" area to tell the ECU that it would be operating at a lower than "normal" temperature. I didn't understand how setting the electric fans to turn on and off at lower temperatures did anything other than help the engine stay cool during stop and go traffic.

It's always been my understanding that the ECU instructs the injectors to provide more fuel during the warm up process.

I'm not opposed to the 180 if the ECU needs the higher operating temp.

And thanks for the tip regarding the MAF.

[mikel]

I have never seen an issue from going to a cooler t-stat in one of these trucks.

Thanks