There are no real benefits to using a 160 deg thermostat for your application. The ONLY thing it will do is open the thermostat sooner. It will NOT allow the engine to run any cooler than normal....it only allows the coolant to
start circulating at a lower temp. Once the stat is open, the engine will continue to heat up to it's "normal" operating temp.
A lower rated stat will also not allow the coolant to get hot enough to burn off combustion by-products(or moisture/condensation) during the warm-up cycle after starting. It's just not beneficial to use one with a lower rating than stock, and in some cases, can cause more wear/tear on the engine in the long run.
A lot of folks seem to think a lower temp stat will help with overheating issues, or it will let the engine run cooler....but that's simply not the case. The engine temp will be what it is going to be depending on the condition of the entire cooling system, and ambient temps. A lower temp stat is not going to change that....it will only let the coolant flow start a little sooner, that's all.
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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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