160 or 180 thermostat?

chewie · 10-27-2005, 12:35 PM

Looking for a general feedback on the thermostat issue. I understand the theory behind it, but looking for some experience/input.

04 GT, will remain a N/A car, motor still under warranty so I'm leaving it alone for a while. Just collecting parts til the time comes.

Plans are the standard bolt-ons; U/D pullies, plenum, TB, and shorty headers (might put these on shortly).

Currently on the car, C&L pre MAF CAI, x-pipe, MF cat-back. So the question is which one? 160 or 180? What about plugs?

She's my almost daily.

Thanks.

Nite-Mare · 10-27-2005, 12:45 PM

They say 180 is best.

SALEENT76 · 10-27-2005, 12:54 PM

Yeah I got a 160 on mine!!!!

**TrueBlueVenom** · 10-27-2005, 01:25 PM

160, if you are gonna get it tuned.

my 2 cents: skip the u/d pulleys - minimal gains on a n/a engine. $$$ better spent elsewhere (like subframe connectors).

**bighoss88lx** · 10-27-2005, 02:01 PM

You should never run a 160 deg t-stat in a Mustang. Your oil never warms up to its optimal temperature causing premature engine wear. Alco the ECM will stay in closed loop because it thinks the car hasnt warmed up. A colder t-stat is great for the track but I would not do it on a daily driver.

chewie · 10-27-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighoss88lx

You should never run a 160 deg t-stat in a Mustang. Your oil never warms up to its optimal temperature causing premature engine wear. Alco the ECM will stay in closed loop because it thinks the car hasnt warmed up. A colder t-stat is great for the track but I would not do it on a daily driver.

Not even a 180?

I forgot, it will have a SCT X2 tune in it.

chewie · 10-27-2005, 03:35 PM

where the heck did my sig go?

**bighoss88lx** · 10-27-2005, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewie

Not even a 180?

I forgot, it will have a SCT X2 tune in it.

A 180 deg t-stat is fine.

chewie · 10-27-2005, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the info.

**bighoss88lx** · 10-27-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewie

Thanks for the info.

No problem man. Just a FYI, a 160 deg t-stat is only tricking your PCM to run in a different strategy than it should. It's an old school trick for the race track. I need to do a write up on EEC strategies and everyone can see what doing certian mods to your EEC system and the motor and how it affects everything.

chewie · 10-27-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighoss88lx

No problem man. Just a FYI, a 160 deg t-stat is only tricking your PCM to run in a different strategy than it should. It's an old school trick for the race track. I need to do a write up on EEC strategies and everyone can see what doing certian mods to your EEC system and the motor and how it affects everything.

That would be nice, as the days of playing with different size jets and reading your plugs are about over. (well almost)

I have to say though "logging" in real time with a laptop in the pass seat is really nice.

**bighoss88lx** · 10-27-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewie

That would be nice, as the days of playing with different size jets and reading your plugs are about over. (well almost)

I have to say though "logging" in real time with a laptop in the pass seat is really nice.

Yes, now with PID data you have real world numbers you can see and verifying the operation of everything is a snap. And with tuning equipment you can alter the way your car performs in almost every way. It's just now technology cost money.

SALEENT76 · 10-27-2005, 06:37 PM

Your sig is only good for one page......U need me to call the geek squad for you!!!!

Mister Hymes · 10-27-2005, 07:01 PM

I use a 160 in summer and a 180 for winter. I had been told not to run the 160 but when I'd use my ac in the 100+ summer my coolant temp would stay in the low-mid normal range.

Nighthawk · 10-27-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002stangGT

160, if you are gonna get it tuned.

my 2 cents: skip the u/d pulleys - minimal gains on a n/a engine. $$$ better spent elsewhere (like subframe connectors).

i'll have to disagree there. u/d pulleys give a nice gain everywhere in the rpm range. unlike most mods that give you just upper rpm power, pulleys are able to free up hp across the entire rpm range. you will see an easy 5 hp to the wheels across the board with a set of U/D pulleys on a 2v 4.6.

Sorry to get off topic.

Nighthawk · 10-27-2005, 07:25 PM

and yeah, get a 180 if you feel like you need one for the reasons Hoss stated. your stock plugs are fine, but if you ever change and still just have bolt on's just get some stock heat range copper plugs.

Nite-Mare · 10-27-2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

i'll have to disagree there. u/d pulleys give a nice gain everywhere in the rpm range. unlike most mods that give you just upper rpm power, pulleys are able to free up hp across the entire rpm range. you will see an easy 5 hp to the wheels across the board with a set of U/D pulleys on a 2v 4.6.

Sorry to get off topic.

I just got my underdrive pulleys on (thanx Brian) and I did feel a nice change. Feels alot more torqy. Back on topic.

SiLv3R_4point6 · 11-04-2005, 07:26 PM

Ok where can I see an article about this? I've seen alot of 2v guys replacing this part. Why is that? I just wanna be proactive before something happpens to my junk.

Thanks

Raul

Kiernan · 11-05-2005, 09:07 AM

I've got a 180 in mine and it's perfect.

10-27-2005, 12:35 PM	#1
chewie Making people happy, one stop at a time... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Behind you with the disco lights on... Posts: 1,235 Trader Rating: (0)	160 or 180 thermostat? Looking for a general feedback on the thermostat issue. I understand the theory behind it, but looking for some experience/input. 04 GT, will remain a N/A car, motor still under warranty so I'm leaving it alone for a while. Just collecting parts til the time comes. Plans are the standard bolt-ons; U/D pullies, plenum, TB, and shorty headers (might put these on shortly). Currently on the car, C&L pre MAF CAI, x-pipe, MF cat-back. So the question is which one? 160 or 180? What about plugs? She's my almost daily. Thanks. __________________ Nature should be allowed to do its job of killing off the weak, sickly, and ignorant people without interference from airbags and batting helmets

10-27-2005, 12:54 PM	#3
SALEENT76 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tallil AB/Camp Addder, Iraq Posts: 2,060 Trader Rating: (1)	Yeah I got a 160 on mine!!!! __________________ 2002 Zinc Yellow Saleen #02-245 Hellion Power Systems T-76 Turbo .20 VT Shortblock, Stock 2v Heads, MPH Turbo Cams 535rwhp, 506trq, 17lbs of Boost Built and Tuned by MPH "Power in the Hands of a Fool"

10-27-2005, 02:01 PM	#5
bighoss88lx Killing is my Business...And Business is Good! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Elmendorf, Tejas Posts: 5,960 Trader Rating: (1)	You should never run a 160 deg t-stat in a Mustang. Your oil never warms up to its optimal temperature causing premature engine wear. Alco the ECM will stay in closed loop because it thinks the car hasnt warmed up. A colder t-stat is great for the track but I would not do it on a daily driver. __________________ 1988 Mustang LX

10-27-2005, 03:35 PM	#7
chewie Making people happy, one stop at a time... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Behind you with the disco lights on... Posts: 1,235 Trader Rating: (0)	where the heck did my sig go? __________________ Nature should be allowed to do its job of killing off the weak, sickly, and ignorant people without interference from airbags and batting helmets

10-27-2005, 04:12 PM	#9
chewie Making people happy, one stop at a time... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Behind you with the disco lights on... Posts: 1,235 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for the info. __________________ Nature should be allowed to do its job of killing off the weak, sickly, and ignorant people without interference from airbags and batting helmets

10-27-2005, 12:45 PM	#2
Nite-Mare Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,397 Trader Rating: (0)	They say 180 is best.

10-27-2005, 01:25 PM	#4
TrueBlueVenom in a happy place Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 5,825 Trader Rating: (0)	160, if you are gonna get it tuned. my 2 cents: skip the u/d pulleys - minimal gains on a n/a engine. $$$ better spent elsewhere (like subframe connectors).

10-27-2005, 06:37 PM	#13
SALEENT76 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tallil AB/Camp Addder, Iraq Posts: 2,060 Trader Rating: (1)	Your sig is only good for one page......U need me to call the geek squad for you!!!! __________________ 2002 Zinc Yellow Saleen #02-245 Hellion Power Systems T-76 Turbo .20 VT Shortblock, Stock 2v Heads, MPH Turbo Cams 535rwhp, 506trq, 17lbs of Boost Built and Tuned by MPH "Power in the Hands of a Fool"

10-27-2005, 07:01 PM	#14
Mister Hymes Hebrews 11:3 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Antonio Posts: 187 Trader Rating: (0)	I use a 160 in summer and a 180 for winter. I had been told not to run the 160 but when I'd use my ac in the 100+ summer my coolant temp would stay in the low-mid normal range. __________________

10-27-2005, 07:25 PM	#16
Nighthawk technology > displacement Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 4,669 Trader Rating: (6)	and yeah, get a 180 if you feel like you need one for the reasons Hoss stated. your stock plugs are fine, but if you ever change and still just have bolt on's just get some stock heat range copper plugs. __________________ My Garage

11-04-2005, 07:26 PM	#18
SiLv3R_4point6 Feelin good like a mescan should Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 489 Trader Rating: (2)	Ok where can I see an article about this? I've seen alot of 2v guys replacing this part. Why is that? I just wanna be proactive before something happpens to my junk. Thanks Raul __________________ Myspizzace

11-05-2005, 09:07 AM	#19
Kiernan Spiderman Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 475 Trader Rating: (0)	I've got a 180 in mine and it's perfect. __________________ - Chazz

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