help me understand the temperature thing?

stunner6910

New Member
Oct 31, 2003
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south texas
A car that runs too hot runs bad(duh). I know this cause I havve experienced it. But on the other hand, I've heard that if it runs too cold, it won't perform as well either. What is the perfect temperature for a car to be running at and how can i keep it there? 160 or 180 thermostat? I also wanted to get the fluidyne radiator but it's a little pricey so how would the summit ones work? thanx
 
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It depends on how the car is setup. Generally, lower temperature gives you more power. However, changing the temp that your thermostat opens at won't change the max temp. Most stangs run about 200 degrees. Ford has found that the car will get max efficiency and best emissions at 217 degrees. Therefore, the radiator fan doesn't kick on max speed until 217 degrees. I have my chip burned so that the cooling fan kicks on max at 190 degrees. The best way to reduce your temperatures is to go to a Mr. Gasket hi-flo thermostat. Summit sells them, and they are cheap. However, since so much of the water is directed to the radiator, you won't get much heat in the winter.

Kurt
 
A 180 degree hi-flo will work fine. If you really want it to cool you will have to get the fan to kick on at a lower temperature. A chip will get the fan to come on at whatever temperature you chose among other things.

Kurt
 
rio, do you have a chip? and by any chance would you happen to have a sound clip of your exhaust set-up since i'm getting the same thing but with the xr1s. and just to make sure i understood your reply to my PM, stick to my stock MAF?
 
well, lower temps adds more power, but here is the drawback; a car running at 160* will suffer from TWICE as much engine wear as if it were running 190*

once your are running under 185* your reliability is substatially decreased. keep those temps between 185* and 200*. 180* would be a bare minimum before you go whomping on it.
 
RydeOn said:
well, lower temps adds more power, but here is the drawback; a car running at 160* will suffer from TWICE as much engine wear as if it were running 190*

once your are running under 185* your reliability is substatially decreased. keep those temps between 185* and 200*. 180* would be a bare minimum before you go whomping on it.

That assumption is based on how the rings were clearanced.

Kurt
 
No chip...stock computer...and no. I have yet to get a sound clip done... :bang:

I agree on the heat thing...i prefer to have mine run in the 190-200 range...when I'm in town it'll creep up to 205...i just turn the heater fan on...she kicks on and drops 10 degs within minutes...mostly does that in town..
Once I did the H/C/I i noticed it was running hotter??? thats when i added the AM temp gage to keep tabs on things....never o/heats on me...