Sal329
Dedicated LVC Member
I was thinking of a 180 deg T stat for my Gen 1? Any ideas? What t stat do you recommend?
If you run in the 180ish range then the computer will think that the engine is not up to normal operating temp and compensate by adding more fuel. your engine will be running rich. If you are looking for performance then you could do this. What is wrong with the t-stat that the engine requires? Like I said before, it is there for a reason. Then again each to their own.
If infact the engine is running at 180 degrees then you will be running rich. It may even cause some trouble on an OBD2 car. Those sensors need to be at operating temps to pass emissions correctly.
OK but I even ran with no thermostat in my 95 LSC for months and had no problems whatsoever...
OK but I even ran with no thermostat in my 95 LSC for months and had no problems whatsoever...
Yes I agree about opinions but this is fact.
Like LSC32V said 130 degrees is correct so that right there throws out all notions of a lower temp stat does anything detrimental to the cars mpg, emissions and or driveability.
Do this little trick, take your car and start it up, let the temp get to the L in normal and give it a good run.
You will instantly feel the car just rip when cooler, then let the car get to full operating temperature (middle of the guage) and then do the same. The car feels sluggish and held back severely.
VERY noticeable difference.
You are correct about the car having more power when it is cold. I thought this was do to the colder intake temps and the extra fuel that was being fed to the engine when it was cold.
Could you actually tell any difference in power just by changing to a 160 t stat? If it really will give you a little more power and wont cause a rich condition then I may try it out for myself. I was told by an emissions class instructor that modern computers do not go into normal operating mode until 180-190 temps are reached. Maybe this information was incorrect. There is only one way to find out. Who sells a good 160 stat that wont jam up?
Running without a t stat is never a good idea though! Even in older carburated vehicles, you should at least cut the center of the t stat out and leave the rest in place as a restrictor to help slow the flow of the water.