Motor temps on Vortec engines

[Beyer]

Does it hurt a '99 Vortec to run between 160-180*?
I put in a 160* thermostat and now I am having trouble getting the motor up to anything over 180* (but it was only 80* outside when I tested it). I would think this is good, but how low is too low?
I had another thermostat (supposed to be a 180*) in the buggy beofore, but it would climb up to about 230* when running it hard on a really hot day (100*). Maybe the thermostat was not really a 180*, but I like not having to worry about it getting too hot.
Should I try another 180* thermostat and try to run from 180*-200*, or is the lower temps ok?
I thought I could run the 160* in the summer and the 180* in the winter and call it good.
Also, I run a Taurus fan and Aluminum radiator.

 

[rock mafia]

They run 190-200 in stock trucks, so no. They are set up to run that warm from the factory.

 

[Beyer]

They run 190-200 in stock trucks, so no. They are set up to run that warm from the factory.

No, it won't hurt it? Or No, it shouldn't run that cool?
I would like for it to run from 190-200 all of the time, but when I get it to run that warm running trails, it wants to climb pretty fast when I am getting on it. I still have more testing to do, but curious where my target or safe range should be.

 

[rock mafia]

No, it won't hurt it? Or No, it shouldn't run that cool?
I would like for it to run from 190-200 all of the time, but when I get it to run that warm running trails, it wants to climb pretty fast when I am getting on it. I still have more testing to do, but curious where my target or safe range should be.

Sorry, should have read your post better. I prefer them to run cooler myself, more cushion before they get to hot (and keeps you from getting as hot in a buggy). My vortec 5.7 ran about 160-170 and my tbi motor ran lower than that. It may make a little (very little) less power, that's about it. Several guys I knew wish their's ran that cool.

 

[Marty]

Mall crawling my runs at 185-195, on the trail 200-210. which is normal for them. Thats a Vortec 6.0

 

[Beyer]

Sorry, should have read your post better. I prefer them to run cooler myself, more cushion before they get to hot (and keeps you from getting as hot in a buggy). My vortec 5.7 ran about 160-170 and my tbi motor ran lower than that. It may make a little (very little) less power, that's about it. Several guys I knew wish their's ran that cool.

Thanks for the clarification.
It did seem to run fine, but someone mentioned to me about it running in open loop???
What temp does the motor go from open loop to closed loop?