What's everyone opinion and facts about running a TPI camaro without a thermostat? What do some say ok and some say not ok? What would you suggest?

 

This is what I remember from reading other post, (I'm not an expert). This may work fine this summer when it is hot, but when it gets cold the car may not get warm enough for the computer to reach closed loop. Closed loop is when the computer is adjusting the engine after it gets feedback from the various sensors as opposed to open loop which is a preprogrammed operating parameters.

 

As plndtx makes the point that in cold weather it takes longer for the car to reach normal operating tempature.At this point the ECM goes into closed loop mode that uses all the sensors(open loop is a programed set of parameters the ECM operates on until the CTS-coolant temp sensor- indicates that proper temp has been reached).
This still occurs during the warmer months it just takes a shorter period of time for the motor to come up to operating temps.The thermostat also acts as a regulator for water flow to the radiator.If flow is to high the water doesn't remain in the radiator long enough to transfer heat out through the radiator tubes(thermodynamics is the $10 word I believe).
IMHO it's not a good idea to run a street car without a thermostat(even track cars use flow restrictor plates to regulate water flow rate).You will get many opions as to what temp thermostat to use ranging from 160*F to the factory installed 195*F.Iv'e found 180*F thermostat has always worked best for me.I will suggest using one of the new fail safe thermostats.They open with the flow of the water,instead of against it.And if it should fail it does so in the open position.These two tech articles cover a lot on 3rd Gen cooling problems and solutions to them.
https://www.thirdgen.org/overheating
https://www.thirdgen.org/cool

 

Awesome. I know about the closed and open loop operation, but I did not know about the thermostat regulating the coolant flow. That is some very informative information. Could you send me a link to a "fail safe" thermostat?

 

The 'fail safe' t-stats are pretty common. Just go to any parts store and they should have them.