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2G What thermostat are you running?

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Artago

15+ Year Contributor
2,090
26
Nov 30, 2006
North Vancouver, BC_Canada
I have a lower temp thermostat in my car and it keeps the temps around 180-185. I'm using ECMLink coolant offset of 15 degrees to make the ECU think it's warmed up. I'm thinking of going back to an OEM thermostat to get the temps up. Thoughts?
 
I think I'm the only DSMer that keeps cardboard in the car to block part of the radiator in the winter time. I kept all stock ducting and have a problem with too much cooling around freezing temps.
 
In the project car I run a 160? Thermostat. But it really makes no difference

Unless you change your fan settings the thermostat will only change how quickly your engine reaches operating temperature

Even removing the thermostat will only delay the car running at the fans desired operating temp.

The most common consensus is to run the oem. The engine, chassis, and cooling system underwent thousands of hours of extreme hazard testing and was engineered to be used at its set operating temps.
 
I had problems passing emissions here in Cali until I put a stock 180 thermo in. I think it's best just to leave thermostats stock. Any daily driver should be run as close to factory specs in my opinion. Make all the power you want, but keeping things like engine temps factory ensures longevity.

In regards to what Chrysler kid said. Its true for the most part that a cooler thermo wont make a difference if the car is doing mostly city driving. But if you are cruising down the freeway, doing rolling racing or whatever, the airlfow at speed will keep the engine running down at 160 or whatever temp thermo you are running.
 
^^^You have other issues if thats the case. A factory thermostat will not cause overheating. Your issue is still there, but you have a band-aid over it with that 150* thermostat. That's fine if it's how you want to run it. Here in Cali, you would never pass smog and if you are running a cat, it will eventually become clogged since its never getting an opportunity to burn at its intended temps.
 
it will eventually become clogged since its never getting an opportunity to burn at its intended temps.

I've been running my 180* thermostat for years now and have been experiencing strange issues that MAY be explained by a clogged cat. I will check mine, thanks!
 
^^^180 is stock, I was talking to Talon96fwd about his 150 *
 
Nope. It was definitely the thermostat I have even tried different fan setups hell even cut into my bumper still didn’t solve the issue. Maybe because I have full race ETS front mount not sure. I blew my head gasket from over heating but got that squared away.
 
I recently had my car tuned on E85 and made 500hp and maxing out my fuel pump out. And my car runs great but that is what (worked) for me. Factory thermostat wasn’t keeping up with for me.
 
Stock 190. I would argue that if you have to lower your thermostat degree, you outta look at other reasons as to why and fix those first. Cooling fans are always a huge improvement. Don't use the lame chinese slim fans or mishimoto. You need a quality brand like flexalite or Spall. A push fan is always a great idea.
 
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