Thermostat Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Thermostat Question
Can anyone tell me what a new thermostat will do? I have a Blackwing and will be installing TPIS and X-Pipe next week. Should I have the thermostat changed and while I'm at it change out the plug wires? I don't want to do it if there isn't any gain.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 0
From: KC, MO Missouri
Re: Thermostat Question (HPfisterer)
I have always run 160 stats on my perf vehicles. The old motors it gave a denser intake charge. With our composite intakes isn't quite the gain. For A4's that use a radiator side tank to cool ATF so it helps lower trans temps. Gives you more room to heat up while racing or sitting in traffic, the A/C works better, For every 10 degrees you drop you gain 3-4%HP to a certain point, don't go crazy with that. Also fights detonantion for more timing. You can tell a difference between 220 and 165. My 160 with programming runs 172-176 all the time.
[Modified by Quick Brick, 9:23 PM 9/4/2002]
[Modified by Quick Brick, 9:23 PM 9/4/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Noble OK
Re: Thermostat Question (Quick Brick)
I also have a 160 thermostat but will take it out in the fall and reinstall the stock one. Performance gains? Don't know if there is its not all that much, and you being in North Carolina the car would never get above 160 during the winter(not good in my opinion) :rolleyes:
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 725
Likes: 20
From: Dallas TX
Re: Thermostat Question (HPfisterer)
I put a 178 degree thermostat on my '01 mainly to eliminate pinging at WOT. I also did plug wires at the same time to help with the problem also. I took it back for a follow up dyno run and had SpeedWorks to modify the fan on/off temps and the timing settings somewhat. Best rwhp/rhtq before and after were 311.2/330.0 vs. 318.5/333.5
As long as the car's moving at a relatively decent speed, water temp. is about 30 degrees lower than it was before, usualy in the mid 180's. In stop and go traffic it creeps up much slower than before.
I don't think the t'stat alone is worth the effort if you don't/can't have the fan on/off temps. modified as well. You can either mess with the computer or you can get a switch from the forum vendors that will do it too.
EBS
As long as the car's moving at a relatively decent speed, water temp. is about 30 degrees lower than it was before, usualy in the mid 180's. In stop and go traffic it creeps up much slower than before.
I don't think the t'stat alone is worth the effort if you don't/can't have the fan on/off temps. modified as well. You can either mess with the computer or you can get a switch from the forum vendors that will do it too.
EBS
