Stock or reduced temp thermostat?

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cu440da

cu440da

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I just ordered up a Lincoln Mark VIII electric fan with Volvo dual speed fan relay for the Warlock. I now need to buy the proper dual thermo sensor to actuate the fans and would like to get feedback on what is the preferred thermostat temp so I can order the right sensor.

Are you guys using the stock 200-ish unit or an aftermarket 180* thermostat?

If it matters any, my motor is a stock 2009 VVT 5.7, the only upgrades at this point would be a kickass exhaust, the equivalent of a cold air intake, and the Diablosport inTune canned tunes. I may swap over the injectors from my 6.1 intake if anyone thinks it would be beneficial...
 
180 in mine tried stock and the temp was normally above 210... I had trouble with hot fuel.

Joe
 
180. in hot conditions i never had more than 200 on the gage. measured on top front of block
my fans start at 180 and stops at 170. measured on bottom of radiator
 
I am currently running a stock one and temp is consistently above 210 but considering the thermostat doesn't open until 203 it has not caused alarm, but am considering the 180 to lower underhood temps.
 
Something to think about: You have fuel injection; unless you reprogram the computer to think less than stock is good, I'd think you will be running like your coolant temp sensor is on the fritz.

I ALWAYS run stock OEM. Usually 195.
 
PoisonDart74 said:
Something to think about: You have fuel injection; unless you reprogram the computer to think less than stock is good, I'd think you will be running like your coolant temp sensor is on the fritz.

I ALWAYS run stock OEM. Usually 195.
Click to expand...

Agreed, plus coolant temp showing lower than other values will trip error for coolant temperature sensor out of range or not plausible. I would say get a good Stant t-stat it only has one tiny vent hole and no rubber flapper unlike the factory one with the whole perimeter of the diaphragm perforated and the rubber umbrella.
Modern engines need higher coolant temps
 
They don't necessarily need higher temps, but they are designed to run at them. It's mostly for emissions that they like to run hotter now. You have to figure they factor thermal expansions and such into their designs though, so if you're running significantly under the expected temp then you might not be getting the best performance either.

Apparently my radiator is ridiculous and my engine can barely get hot when chugging down the road, even with a higher temp stat. I think I barely crack 180 humming down the highway, but if you get in town it'll creep up to 200 or so and the fans will kick in. I think I have my fans set around 205 or 210 (can set whatever I want in my Megasquirt), but they don't have to run for long to bring the temps back down.
 
I run a 180 in my gen III Challenger, always stays cool. 2104 RAM 1500 has the stock 203 in it and tows the race car to the track with out overheating, but has a huge radiator.
I run a 160 in my gen III powered race car but that's probably overkill for the street.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I went with the 180* thermostat and matching BMW dual temp thermo sensor that will turn fan on at low speed at 180* and bump it up to high speed at 195*. Should work pretty slick.
 
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