180 t-stat for stock GP?

**chantspel** · 11-16-2009

Hey Guys,

When I replaced my LIM/UIM gaskets I threw in a 180 degree T-stat. My motivation was purely to reduce engine wear - not looking for performance gain.

Anyway, I've been reading and heard differing opinions - so wondering if you can help me out. Should I not use it in a stock GT? I heard that the engine can get even hotter running it, how is this possible?

I assume it has something to do with the pcm commanding the cooling fans on but not sure.

Sorry if this has been addressed already I searched and didn't find much.

**matt5112** · 11-16-2009

if the car is moving, your car should be sitting at 180 when warmed up and running. If you pull hard and stop moving the temp will shoot up to ~195 where the cooling fans will turn on. Perhaps thats what people were talking about the engine running hotter.

**Bio248** · 11-16-2009

just leave a stock thermostat. 180* isnt technically a good running temperature for the engine to not wear as much. you also wont be able to make use of the 180* thermostat unless you are moving or have the fan turn on times set lower.

**01gtspecial** · 11-16-2009

i just drilled my 195 lol

**matt5112** · 11-16-2009

in the dead of winter where it gets as low as -30 below, drilled t-stats are a fail.

**Zef_66** · 11-16-2009

Actually, if you are looking to reduce wear on your engine, a cooler t-stat is doing the complete opposite. The cooler t-stat you use, the more wear on your engine components.

**Bio248** · 11-16-2009

Originally Posted by matt5112

in the dead of winter where it gets as low as -30 below, drilled t-stats are a fail.

prove it. i ran a drilled 180* in WI winters for a few year already. no ill effects at all.

**Zef_66** · 11-16-2009

Originally Posted by Bio248

prove it. i ran a drilled 180* in WI winters for a few year already. no ill effects at all.

Other than fuel mileage? ;-)

**matt5112** · 11-16-2009

Takes the car longer to warm up. If your average drives are short, the car won't be warmed up for very long if at all.

**Bio248** · 11-16-2009

car was warmed up in 5 minutes of a 13 minute drive in the dead of winter. no problems here.

**matt5112** · 11-16-2009

I drive 5 minutes to work and the car is barely reading on the scale. Also noticing since switching to 5w30 syn its taking longer to warm up versus 10w30

**Bio248** · 11-16-2009

"on the scale" is about 160*. thats good for knock sensors being enabled, heat working, and the car being nearly to temp.

**matt5112** · 11-16-2009

fair enough

**chantspel** · 11-16-2009

Hey thanks for all the replies guys.

If it matters at all, I do about 90% highway driving.

I did notice that when sitting idle the temp gauge starting going up a bit..

**Zef_66** · 11-17-2009

Originally Posted by chantspel

Hey thanks for all the replies guys.

If it matters at all, I do about 90% highway driving.

I did notice that when sitting idle the temp gauge starting going up a bit..

For a stock car, GT at that, in PA, doing hwy driving, your best bet is to stick with a stock 195° t-stat.

**chantspel** · 11-17-2009

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be putting the stock one back in.

About how much coolant needs to come out before I can swap it out?

**GAFF** · 11-17-2009

I never took any out

**Zef_66** · 11-17-2009

Originally Posted by Gafford44

I never took any out

X2. A little may come out when you do it. But you only lose like a quart, at most. Not really a big deal.

**chantspel** · 11-17-2009

Originally Posted by Gafford44

I never took any out

Lol yeah but I'm not trying to get coolant all over my garage floor...

**matt5112** · 11-17-2009

you will unless you take some coolant out of the system by pushing it into the overflow by squeezing the upper rad hose. Even then, there'll still be some left in the t-stat housing that you won't be able to get out without taking the t-stat housing off.

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