cooler thermostat opinions

[snowborder714]

I also have a 170*

Matt, what thermostat do you run? I'll be looking for one of these soon.

 

[805DSM]

So installing a 170 degree thermostat without dsmlink will be ok then?, just asking because i just installed one .

 

[gofer]

IMO Yes.

 

[black_gst]

I run a 180* now, but i have ran a 160* and with ecmlink theres really not an issue

 

[BigBeans]

Matt, what thermostat do you run? I'll be looking for one of these soon.

Brian, i missed this post. My schedule is crazy right now so it's rare i have time to browse, best bet for the next few months is to PM me so i'll see the email.

I run a 170* that i got from STM maybe 6 months ago. It's no longer listed on their site, which is unfortunate because it works perfectly and holds temps 3-6* above cracking temp (with a fluidyne radiator). I think the brand name was Murray, but i'll double check tomorrow.

 

[pboglio]

A 170* t-stat isn't going to effect coolant temperatures enough to have any negative effects on engine operation, even without a way to offset it with something like ECMLink. Just because the t-stat opens at 180* what DSM actually keeps 180* operating temps? Personally I can say I've never seen a 2g hold below 200* without an aftermarket t-stat, and even then its high 190*. Running a 170* t-stat vise the 180* OEM one will drop coolant temps maybe, and I stress maybe, 5* or possibly the full 10* difference which will still hold engine temps at 200* or so.

I've never heard of too low of coolant temperatures hurting a motor, gas mileage might suffer but how much? I'd rather the motor be idling stuck in traffic too cold then watching my temps climb passed 215* and possibly blow the HG.

The Stant 170* t-stat holds my 2g at 183-186*F on 70/30 water/coolant/water wetter mix. It will drop down as low as 176*F, and rise up to about 193*F idling. I have a very efficient cooling system setup.

It definitely has some hysterisis as it doesn't lock into a set temperature as well as the factory 2g 180*F t-stat does. It definitely helps with reducing knock though.

 

[urmomsaniceguy]

In my personal experience, with a front mount, ps fluid cooler lines, ac, and oem radiator, a 170* t-stat has changed my temps. But I never see temps below 183* when its at operating temp. The highest temp I do see is 200*. That's with 1 oem fan. So I'm still getting it in the learn mode temp, but not as hot as factory t-stat. Now with all that said, the coolant offset with link, I have mine set to 10, and when I run a log the ECT says 193* but the air coming from the heater feels colder. The temp displayed in link is that what the actual temp is? Or what the ecu thinks it is because the offset?

 

[gofer]

Actual.

 

[nek]

The only downside with the coolant offset is depending on how much you alter it you will loose timing due to it. IIRC once you pass 210* the ECU starts to pull timing and by chaining the offset say 10* you ECU will always think it's 10* hotter than what it actually is.

UGGH, this was my exact question. I didnt know if using the coolant offset would cause you to pull timing earlier. I used the coolant offset to turn my fans on at 195* to help cool my engine (trying not to run it all the time so it can reach op temp faster). But this means with a 15* coolant offset, Im loosing timing at 191*

It is helping my overheating at high rpm but Im trying not to loose timing. I might just need to run my fan all the time...

 

[boost97gst]

I can weigh in with some first hand experience. I just installed a 170 Stant tstat. At 100* ambient temps it dropped my cruising temps from 219-223 down to 210-213. NOT a substantial gain. I HAVE to duct my system now ive learned. My idle temps rise a bit slower now but still hit 210 with or without ac on. I got a good 70 degree night and intake temps(NOT gmIAT, just maf int temp) were close to 85 or so. Engine temps were 193. My knock at 23 psi was completely gone and the car pulled harder than ive ever seen. Intake air temp and coolant temps are absolutely critical to making HP. No question about it. I was shocked to see the results of a relatively small change.

Before i was doing pulls in the day int temp around 110, engine temp around 216 roughly and i was getting 3.5* of knockret in 3rd and 4th.
BTW, the tstat didnt change idling temps at all.