I was just wondering if I should be concerned about this! Ever since I put in a 160 degree STANT thermostat and got a new fan that blows REAL HARD, the whole car runs COLD. The TEMP gauge doesn't go higher then the 1st tick mark where the C is. And I know its running cold, cause even after a majorly hard run, if I open the hood, I can touch all the engine parts without even burning myself (intake manifold, thermostat housing, etc.) Of course NOT the turbo & manifold!!! Running extra cool, good or bad?

 

If the thermostat is worth a darn, then you car has to be running at least at 160 degrees. Why not put a 82C thermostat in? The colder running will probably keep the idle running high longer than if you had a 82c thermostat. The fsm has the thermostat opening around 180 degrees F. Car was made to run at that higher temp. I doubt if its hurting anything though. Just ain't helping anything either.

 

If the whole block is running COOLER, does that mean there is less chance of detonation happening as well?

 

Yes there will be less chance of detonation, but not by a large margin.