87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I am working on creating an electronic thermostat that will be adjustable from the drivers seat.

Has anybody done any analysis on optimal coolant temp for power and optimal coolant temp for efficiency?

I will test this on a dyno, but I'm looking for some baseline opinions.

Thanks,
John

igotta355z28

iTrader: (1)

bout 210 is best power and efficiency go down to about 180 at the lowest people think cold motor is better but its not true...

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

In my expirence the max power and max effieciency do not occur at the same temperature. In fact I believe the higher the temperature the better the efficiency. The only thing restricting the high temperature efficiency is material durability. I would imagine max power occurs around 180 for a typical small block.

igotta355z28

iTrader: (1)

yeah thats what i mean im sorry i just didnt feel like typing all that my bad, 210 is the best compromise....180 is bout max for power my bad apears we are on the same page though,and yeah higher temps are more efficient...

1991CamaroRslow

iTrader: (3)

You have to think about why this is making the engine more efficient, the gas is vaporizing more becoming more combustable and releasing more of it's energy in a warmer engine. But you can only go so high on engine temp before you run into problems. You can increase the temp of the incoming air, OR the temp of the fuel and get similar results, a more efficient burn. There is a compromise with this however, when you're making maximum power you need a rich mixture to combat the rising temps in the cylinders and prevent detonation. The real efficiency comes with the ECM tuning, get yourself a 180 t stat and look into the highway cruise mode our cars have in the stock proms, that's where the gas is to be saved.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I suppose I didn't make myself clear. I am aware of fuel efficiency gains with ecm tuning. However I am also convinced our motors will be more efficient at say 210 or 220 instead of 195. I am also convinced our motors will produce more power at 180 than 195 or 210 or 220. Its also important to note, cylinder wall wear decreases with increasing engine temperature. Hence the 'need' for an adjustable thermostat. Run the motor at 220 except for the times you want to go fast. The question is what temp is ideal for max power? What temperature is ideal for max efficiency? I believe the answer to the second question is as hot as the motor can take before head warping, engine damage.

As far as motivation for this project. I'm not doing this because I'm disappointed with my thirdgen's fuel efficiency, I can afford the gas. However I've had this idea in my head for a while and have decided to follow through with it. The project is also not just intended for thirdgens, but could theoretically be adapted to virtually any car. I choose to demonstrate the technology on a thirdgen because I own one, it has easy access to the thermostat, I know more about thirdgens than any other car I own, and I don't rely on my thirdgen as a daily driver.

Thanks for the replies, keep them comming.

John