180 degree t-stat in 4.6

[98COBRA281]

i just got my new intake manifold so i will be changing this weekend, i have read that it is a good thing to put a 180 degree t-stat instead of the stock 195

 

[propellerhead]

What's wrong with 195*?

 

[98COBRA281]

dont know but ive head that a 180 is better

 

[steveb24]

I have a 180 and its fine. i like it.. maybe takes a minute or two longer to warm up, but @ 180 its not a big diff, just bring down your hi and low fan temps with a tuner as well

 

[98COBRA281]

i dont have a tuner though

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

What's wrong with 195*?


http://fordfuelinjection.com/files/engine_trans_temps.gif[/IMG[/QUOTE]

just so you know, that chart doesn't directly imply thermostat temps. it says oil temp, well oil temp doesnt exactly match coolant temp - that's why it's called coolant cuz it cools down the engine and oil. A 185 t-stat will open when temps of coolant are over 185 and require more coolant flow to keep it there or under that level. So a lower t-stat will help keep the engine that much cooler, but not keep the engine and the oil at the exactly t-stat rating. Most recommend a 185 for people who like to put some foot in it every once and awhile. I haven't had one, but am installing one with my build since it will run hotter and i'll proly push it harder.
This is my understanding

 

[98COBRA281]

i would like to do it but i dont and a tuner , so if u have to recalebrate the fan temps i cant do it

 

[eliteJAE]

i know alot of people say that you need to calibrate your fan settings, and theyre probably right, but i sure didnt for the same reason you cant: no tuner i switched to 180 t-stat because I live in Arizona and every little cooling mod helps (plus my old t-stat crapped out). An easy and cheap alternative to changing your fan settings thru a tuner is wiring a flip-switch direct to the fan control, so you can switch it on and off at your will. This is good for my situation, since starting around late february until the beginning of november it gets HOT lol im talking about 50-60 degrees at 6am and peaking to the highest of 114, while in traffic so if you live in a hot climate, or if youre pushing extra horses and power and temp is a variable you seek to control, then go for the 180, otherwise stock is fine just my 2 cents.

 

[98COBRA281]

well i live in south florida so it gets pretty hot here, what are the stock fan settings?

 

[eliteJAE]

dood off the top of my head i think mine is set to turn on at 98 Celsius and turn off at 92-93 I BELIEVE, might be wrong here, been a while since i had my whole overheating episode with my car.

 

[COramprat]

180 will be fine. Like you said you live in Florida. The only real issue is the car heater won't warm up as quickly on cold mornings.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

MY tuner put my fan on with the key on!!! Mine didn't shut off till you took the key out!!! Car ran cool as could be with no problems. It was also nice at the track. Between runs, just sit there with the key on ignition, and watch the temp gauge fall.

 

[eliteJAE]

MY tuner put my fan on with the key on!!! Mine didn't shut off till you took the key out!!! Car ran cool as could be with no problems. It was also nice at the track. Between runs, just sit there with the key on ignition, and watch the temp gauge fall.

thats pretty sweet, was the fan activated by putting the key into the start position right before ignition? or the last position with just the radio on??

 

[Mustang5L5]

leave the stocker. Putting a colder t-stat is a remnant of the carb days. EFI runs better hotter