Boosted Cars - Any benefits from running a colder t-stat

fuelforfire87

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Been wondering since I am boosted whether or not to get a colder thermostat like the reiche 170 degree t-stat. I have a procharger stage 2 with a D1SC head unit running 11 lbs of boost. I know the stock thermostat is 180 degrees so it wouldn't be a huge difference. The car is mainly street driven, and only been to the track once. Never had any issues with overheating. Also installing the t-stat would be a pain since the procharger compressor and bracket are in the way so I would have to remove them to get to the thermostat housing. What are your opinions on running a colder t-stat?
 

nxhappy

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yes 170 tstat will help a little bit

you have an intercooler right ?
 

GNBRETT

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yea thats pretty standard. the radiator is wat cools u down tho. mite wanna invest in an upgraded one if u don't have one already especially on a blower car with heat sink
 

Papaw

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I think anything you can do to keep a boosted car out of detonation is a good thing. One piece of that puzzle is cooler engine temps. That's why I run the 170 in my car.
 

fuelforfire87

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Did anyone running a cooler thermostat notice a decrease in mileage? I've heard that running a cooler stat can cause this.
 

GNBRETT

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the 1-2 hp possibly gained with lower temps aint gonna effect ur mpg
 

cjd223

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I run a 160 in my car. Might as well run the stock one. The radiator is the problem with these cars. It is way too small. A Ford Racing fan will help I guess as it moves a lot more air.
 

BigmotoXer

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http://m.ebay.com/itm/3-Rows-All-Al...3Adf7a076b1590a606358819a5ffb4745f%7Ciid%3A15

I bought this radiator. I don't buy junk and I was hesitant to buy it but my stock radiator was leaking and needed something quick. I cannot believe the quality of this radiator, the gauge/thickness of the aluminum. I'm twin turbo lots of mods and this radiator excites me the most because of the price and the quality. It's thicker than stock so after mounting I noticed the fan was closer to engine and had to trim a small piece(literally thin sliver)off the plastic/fan shroud to clear my piping. It's the same size dimensions as the Ford racing radiator but not $699.
It's for manual transmission only because there's no Provisions for the automatic transmission lines. Which gives you 30% more cooling area for the water/engine. Plus the extra core/row(3 row). Plus I have the 170 thermostat, my car rides very cool. You will not be disappointed....unless you have an auto car.
 
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cjd223

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It is pretty easy to adapt a manual only radiator for use with an automatic. I wonder how it would work with a Roush intercooler clearance wise.
 

fuelforfire87

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So I ended up having a shop do oil pump gears and crank sprocket. Decided to throw in a 170 degree t-stat as well. I was skeptical about any lowering in temp, but seems that just while cruising the cylinder head temp is around 195 compared to the 205-210 I was seeing previously. I also asked my tuner (Lund) about changing the fan settings and they said it's already accounted for.
 

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