why should i get a higher temp thermostat? how will it help? if it is a help, what tem should i get?

thanks


mike

 

you dont want a higher temp one.
you want a lower temp one something like 160* or 180*; compliment it with a lower degree fan switch

 

iv got a 350 and curently running a 195deg......its a 84 TA with the CC carb....what stat should i get?? i was thinkin 170?? and waht kind of performance increase you get from this?

 

You get zero performance gain and it will NOT run right. Maximum efficiency from the engine will occur when it is at temp(195). Any electronically managed engine want's an operating range of around 200 deg. for all emission control systems to function properly, and if you deviate from that all you do is loose MPG's.

 

Here we go again. Danno's right. Computer managed engines, especially TPI's need to be warmed up to run right. Your average automotive cooling system operates at around 220-230 degrees, that's why 220 is in the middle of the gauge. I run a 305 TPI with a 195 degree Robertshaw style thermostat. I modified it by drilling three smal holes in the top to allow small amounts of coolant to flow through, before the thermostat opens. This makes the engine temperature increase more progressively, eliminating that hot spike, right before the themostat opens. For most of our stock engines, this is the magic bullet for cooling. This technique is reccomended by John Ligenfelter and Stewart Waterpumps

By the way, my engine runs at a pretty constant 205-210 in all traffic and weather conditions.

Here's the stat, note the holes:

 

ehh looks line ill stay with my 195 then. my friends got a 94 mustang Gt and he desided to do it casue it will "make his car run alot better"................ohh well

 

That's not entirely true about the TPI having to run at 200deg. I put a AC/DELCO 170* in my TPI and it runs alot better, along with getting MUCH better m.p.g. With the air on, it never sees the other side of 195* and everything functions properly. From an email I received from John Lingenfelter himself, along with some techs. at work, the GM computer is designed to function correctly with any t-stat. It can 'relearn" what temp to center open loop functions. I drilled four .25" holes in my 170 t-stat and all is fine. I even just recently passed emissions with a lower number than my mom's new Olds. Just some light on the subject.

 

Kyl, I think you meant to say closed loop can be "relearned" by the ECM. I'll be willing to bet that when you had the pipe sniffed the engine was at or near 200 deg. Have it tested when it is really at 170. Compare fuel economy at highway speeds when you have good airflow across the radiator and she's running cool. I'll be willing to bet that you will get an increase in MPG's with a 195 stat. I saw an almost 3mpg loss in fuel economy with a 170. With these cars in typical stop and go driving it doesn't matter much what stat you run, they get hot fast. However you get moving at any decent speed and that temp guage will drop fast and fuel delivery will change. Every factory guy I have ever spoke with say's a narrow range of operating temp at around 200 degrees results in the best overall efficiency of any engine. This is always a lively debate, gotta love it.

 

actually, I think my temp gauge needle was right before the first mark(Im assuming thats around 195*). I also dont have the A.I.R. stuff on it anymore, I just bolted my cats back on. We also have "reformulated" gas around here, loaded w/ethanol, making cars tend to run hotter. Dont know if that makes any diff. in my case but my car does seem to get better mpg now, especially since it isnt running at 220* in town, retarding timing at the same time. I guess it just depends on how you have your car setup(timing, ecm, etc.) Just my .02