[Teece045]

Just wondering if anyone has put a 180 or 160 thermostat on there car, I know it can be helpful on many modified cars, however there is always a possiblity that the ECU may not like it so much. Soo I was just wondering how it has worked out for those who have done it. Thx your feedback would be very very helpful

 

[apolinaras]

Sure, you can put it, but your gas milage will become that of a 70's car and you will be running too rich (fuel/air). When you pop in anything lower than stock, ECU thinks that engine has not warmed up all the way (becaus you are overcooling it), so it will dump extra gas to help it "warm up".
Skip the t-stat and do Red Lines Water Wetter. Do a search on that, I had a post about that about several days ago.

 

[BlackBull01]

i have a 180 in my 01 bull. i haven't experienced any problems that i know of. the car has never been a gas miser so i don't think you will really notice the small drop in mileage, if there is any. i would not go with the 160. from what i have read it is not a good idea. the computer begins to get strange readings. you should be o.k. with the 180. had it in now for 2 years. brian

 

[shoz123]

I use a 170F in my '97. Without a fan controller though the engine temp will creep up to the OEM fan turn on temp except on the highway.

 

[95se]

A 180* is fine, 160* may be low enough to cause the engine to run in open loop (warmup mode).. You will have no problems with a 180 and actually should pick up some power.

I have the 180* tstat in my '95 3.8, with the cool fan switch set to turn on the fan at 190* or so. With the stock 197* t-stat and the timing advanced, it would ping in hot weather.. Not anymore..

Thumbs up, the 180* t-stat is a good move.

Jeramie

 

[95se]

Sure, you can put it, but your gas milage will become that of a 70's car and you will be running too rich (fuel/air). When you pop in anything lower than stock, ECU thinks that engine has not warmed up all the way (becaus you are overcooling it), so it will dump extra gas to help it "warm up".
Skip the t-stat and do Red Lines Water Wetter. Do a search on that, I had a post about that about several days ago.

False info..

I still get over 20mpg at high elevation with a lead foot.

Dumping in extra gas would cool the air/fuel charge.

The EEC turns over to the operating temperature tables well below 180*

Also, a lower thermostat will not make your car run cooler around town without matching fan powerup temps. You need either a cool fan switch (cheap from summit racing) or request your fan scheduling be changed with a chip or EEC Tuner.

hope this helps

 

[apolinaras]

I am not the one who came up with that fuel info. I found this on flatratetech.com ford service people forums.
G'head, go ask them, they might know more than some of us, since I don't see that many ASEs here (just car nuts ).