Lower temp. thermostat
- Thread starter turboscrew
- Start date
stangman
15 Year Member
192 is the stock thermostat. your car will benifit from running cooler obviously, but to take advantage of the cooler thermostat you need to get either a electric fan switch, or have the fans tuned on at a earlier temp. by way of a chip or tuner 
stangman
15 Year Member
propellerhead
New Member
From http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/misc/StangFAQ.html#5
- Change (or remove) the factory thermostat
This is based on the fact that cooler air is denser, so the less you heat the air coming into the engine, the more air/fuel mixture you can pack into each cylinder. An old shade-tree mechanic fix, but it's got several strikes against it. First, you never want to remove the thermostat completely. The cooling system has been designed with the thermostat restriction in mind, and removing it will actually _hurt_ cooling. Second, cylinder wall wear increases as operating temperatures are lowered. The stock Mustang thermostat is set for 196 degrees Fahrenheit. Dropping to 180 will increase wear somewhat, and dropping to 160 or 140 will increase wear dramatically.
On EFI cars, cooler thermostats are rumoured to increase performance because the engine will run richer at temperatures below 180 degrees Fahrenheit. True, the EEC-IV will richen the mixture, but staying in "warm up" mode entails more than just a richer mixture. The EEC-IV will be more conservative with the timing curves, and will never get into "closed loop" operation (where it uses the oxygen sensors to fine-tune the mixture). The result will likely be poorer drivability and _decreased_ performance. Also, catalytic converters can be damaged over time by an engine that's continually running rich.
VERDICT - Don't remove the thermostat entirely, and don't use a thermostat below 180 degrees Fahrenheit on an EFI car.
- Change (or remove) the factory thermostat
This is based on the fact that cooler air is denser, so the less you heat the air coming into the engine, the more air/fuel mixture you can pack into each cylinder. An old shade-tree mechanic fix, but it's got several strikes against it. First, you never want to remove the thermostat completely. The cooling system has been designed with the thermostat restriction in mind, and removing it will actually _hurt_ cooling. Second, cylinder wall wear increases as operating temperatures are lowered. The stock Mustang thermostat is set for 196 degrees Fahrenheit. Dropping to 180 will increase wear somewhat, and dropping to 160 or 140 will increase wear dramatically.
On EFI cars, cooler thermostats are rumoured to increase performance because the engine will run richer at temperatures below 180 degrees Fahrenheit. True, the EEC-IV will richen the mixture, but staying in "warm up" mode entails more than just a richer mixture. The EEC-IV will be more conservative with the timing curves, and will never get into "closed loop" operation (where it uses the oxygen sensors to fine-tune the mixture). The result will likely be poorer drivability and _decreased_ performance. Also, catalytic converters can be damaged over time by an engine that's continually running rich.
VERDICT - Don't remove the thermostat entirely, and don't use a thermostat below 180 degrees Fahrenheit on an EFI car.
Need some help,please.
I was going to lower my t-stat,but for now iam running stock.
What should the car run for temps at the gauge "NORMAL" mines at
"M" right now and seems to be hotter then it should and thats at normal driving and 70-80 degree weather.
Would like it at the "O" but having a hard time doing so,any tips??
I recently flushed the cooling system and new thermostat.
I was going to lower my t-stat,but for now iam running stock.
What should the car run for temps at the gauge "NORMAL" mines at
"M" right now and seems to be hotter then it should and thats at normal driving and 70-80 degree weather.
Would like it at the "O" but having a hard time doing so,any tips??
I recently flushed the cooling system and new thermostat.
You think so?? I just bought this car,so iam trying to figure out
whats up,so the seller can dish out some money,if its something major.
My next step was to change the temp sending unit and see what happens,
maybe i will just buy a new gauge also?? Probably not,but iam desperate.
I have a "95" gts and it sits at "N" all day long,hot or cold!!!
Thanks.
whats up,so the seller can dish out some money,if its something major.
My next step was to change the temp sending unit and see what happens,
maybe i will just buy a new gauge also?? Probably not,but iam desperate.
I have a "95" gts and it sits at "N" all day long,hot or cold!!!
Thanks.
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