1RawTA

iTrader: (1)

hey guys i just ordered the 160 degree thermostat this weeknend, any tips for the install? anything i need to know or is it just those 3 or 4 bolts pop off the old one and pop in the new one with the new gasket? let me know
thanks alot

jlrz28

iTrader: (7)

Not a whole lot to it. Drain the radiator take off the clamp that holds the radiator hose on the Thermo. Place a bucket under the thermostat to catch all the excess fluid. The hardest thing is the black plug that acts as a wire loom and its not even that hard. I used on the new gasket some blue RTV to hold that gasket in the slot on the thermostat where its supposed to be. Just a little help. Then just put it back like it was.

DARK AGE 53

The fans need too come on sooner to see any benefit from a cooler stat. I should have added this link,

http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...ostat_swap.htm

Al

1RawTA

iTrader: (1)

i got the fan switch too, why do u have to drain the radiator, i thought u could just take off the hose, hold it up so nothing comes out or plug it for a second while i install the thermostat, well draining the radiator really isnt a biggie, just one plug in the bottom right?

Doc

iTrader: (9)

Well draining the radiator is not really a biggie if you understand that when you crack open the system you are going to let air into it. The big deal is to ensure that you get all of the air out of it when you refill it. The Install University site has an excellent article on this-pay close attetion to their write up on filling it and you will be fine. Fill it slowly, you will hear the air coming out of the block to TB (disconnected fitting). If you are patient and go slow just until you see the first bit of coolant comes out hear you won't have to refill or top off as many times trying to get the air out.

1RawTA

iTrader: (1)

i know its not a big deal to drain the radiator but would it be okay if i just pulled off the line, let all the coolant come out of the engine from the thermostat, capped of the line until im done installing the thermostat and then slowly refilled the lost coolant?

Doc

iTrader: (9)

When you see it for yourself come gushing out you'll know what we are talking about. One more thought, Distilled Water. Not expesnive, less chance of impurities leading to corrosion later on.

BlackBirdRyder02

iTrader: (3)

what if u have the tb coolant mod

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

I never drain the radiator and I swap twice a year. 160* in summer and 185* in winter....

teke184

iTrader: (5)

WRONG...well...partially wrong.

any time the car is moving and passing air over the radiator you will benefit from the stat regardless of what your fan settings are.

only time the fan settings come into play is when the car is sitting still in traffic or staging lanes. and usually a fan switch is cheaper than a tune.


i ran a lower stat for 6 yrs with stock fan settings and could see the cooler engine temps any time i was driving. it even took a minute or 2 of stopping for the temps to climp up to where the stock stat would have started.


fan setting changes to see any benefit is a big misconception

Paul57

+1
A fan setting change is needed to lower temps for city driving.
I had heard somewhere that around 25 mph the forced airflow over the radiator is more than a fan will pull...varies a bit with each fans cfm. Can anyone confirm that mph???

Kevin01Z28

iTrader: (8)

Unplug to hose connected to crossover tube under your tb. Thats the one you bypassed the tb with.

teke184

iTrader: (5)

my guess is it fluctuates depending on ambient air temp.

i mean 25mph when the air on the road is 120deg or when its 20 deg??

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

I couldn't agree more with this post

I actually want my temps to get up there to vaporize the water and acids out of my oil that are a byproduct of combustion. That is why I switch to a 185* in the winter......to make sure it runs hot enough. I installed a big Howe Racing radiator and switched to a 160*stat in the summer because I was seeing 230* temps in our hota$$ summers driving around town with the A/C on.....