T-Stat

[MrBenchMark]

I apologize once again ahead of time for my ignorance on various topics.

I've read some threads mentioning installing a 180 degree thermostat replacing the one that came stock with the vehicle. My questions are...

1. What is the purpose and benefit of doing this?

2. Is this something I need to do with my vehicle?
a. If so, then my vehicle comes stock with a 205 degree thermostat and when I checked about getting one, they didn't have one for a 5.7 hemi, only a 205 degree. So, where do you get one/what do you get?

3. Someone also told me that even thought I've changed the tune to what is is currently, the computer may have problems accepting a different 'size?' thermostat. True or False?

Thanks for any Info!!

[brandy16]

I tryed the 180 and did not like it the 205 seems to work just fine.

[broadfca]

I apologize once again ahead of time for my ignorance on various topics.

I've read some threads mentioning installing a 180 degree thermostat replacing the one that came stock with the vehicle. My questions are...

1. What is the purpose and benefit of doing this?

2. Is this something I need to do with my vehicle?
a. If so, then my vehicle comes stock with a 205 degree thermostat and when I checked about getting one, they didn't have one for a 5.7 hemi, only a 205 degree. So, where do you get one/what do you get?

3. Someone also told me that even thought I've changed the tune to what is is currently, the computer may have problems accepting a different 'size?' thermostat. True or False?

Thanks for any Info!!

MrBenchMark, no apologies are ever necessary here. We are all students just trying to help one another. Here's what I have learned:
The benefit of a cooler t-stat is that a cooler running engine = more HP and torque due to the fact that cooler (denser) air entering the engine will equate to more O2 IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER THAN WILL HOTTER (THINNER) AIR occupying the same space. The quest for cold air is the whole premise that the CAI is built on.

You don't NEED to install a cooler t-stat, but it will benefit you to do so. The stock 203 (205) degree t-stat is for emission purposes... not for performance purposes.

If you have a Predator, your computer will like the 180 t-stst just fine, Simply go to "modify parameters" in your Perf 91 tune and lower all 9 cooling fan settings by 23 degrees after yo install the 180 degree t-stat. (203 degrees - 180 degrees = 23 degrees)

You won't find the 180 degree t-stat at your local parts store. Try BMC Performance or Maryland Speed on the net. Both are top notch. I would suggest the Jet 180 degree thermostat made by Motorad. My 09 SRT8 Challenger loves it. Hope this is of some value to you.

[Mike_Levy]

You won't find the 180 degree t-stat at your local parts store. Try BMC Performance or Maryland Speed on the net. Both are top notch. I would suggest the Jet 180 degree thermostat made by Motorad. My 09 SRT8 Challenger loves it. Hope this is of some value to you.

You sure will. I got both my 180's down the street at NAPA. $8, just as good as a JET.

[broadfca]

You won't find the 180 degree t-stat at your local parts store. Try BMC Performance or Maryland Speed on the net. Both are top notch. I would suggest the Jet 180 degree thermostat made by Motorad. My 09 SRT8 Challenger loves it. Hope this is of some value to you.

You sure will. I got both my 180's down the street at NAPA. $8, just as good as a JET.

Interesting, I went to every local parts store here in San Clemente (including NAPA) and not one carried any thing but the stock 203. They also told me that it was not available to order. Good info, Thanks.

[Mike_Levy]

NAPA part number 165 is a 180° T-stat for the late Hemi. Its not in the computer for us, but is the correct part.

[MrBenchMark]

NAPA part number 165 is a 180° T-stat for the late Hemi. Its not in the computer for us, but is the correct part.

So, this one in question will work on what I have currently (within my signature).

[MrBenchMark]

If you have a Predator, your computer will like the 180 t-stst just fine, Simply go to "modify parameters" in your Perf 91 tune and lower all 9 cooling fan settings by 23 degrees after yo install the 180 degree t-stat. (203 degrees - 180 degrees = 23 degrees)

Well I do have a predator (reference my signature below) along with a few other mods. So, in regard to lowering all the 9 cooling fan settings by 23 degrees after I install the thermastat, this is all that needs to be done?

Is everyone in agreement with this?

[slip]

Motorad 4128 does not come with a gasket. You will need to use your stock gasket. Also, Motorad 4128 is 63.5mm which is slightly larger than the stock 63mm TSTAT. So you will need to be a little more careful installing it to ensure it is aligned and does not leak.

The Jet Tstat is more expensive but comes with a gasket. The Jet also is a perfect fit, at 63mm.
The Jet is actually made by Motorad.
http://marylandspeed.com/jet-180-degree ... rers_id=92

[broadfca]

If you have a Predator, your computer will like the 180 t-stst just fine, Simply go to "modify parameters" in your Perf 91 tune and lower all 9 cooling fan settings by 23 degrees after yo install the 180 degree t-stat. (203 degrees - 180 degrees = 23 degrees)

Well I do have a predator (reference my signature below) along with a few other mods. So, in regard to lowering all the 9 cooling fan settings by 23 degrees after I install the thermastat, this is all that needs to be done?

Is everyone in agreement with this?

Yes, that's all that needs to be done. Some have their own opinion as to where the cooling fans should be set. I got my info from a phone call to DS.

[MrBenchMark]

Motorad 4128 does not come with a gasket. You will need to use your stock gasket. Also, Motorad 4128 is 63.5mm which is slightly larger than the stock 63mm TSTAT. So you will need to be a little more careful installing it to ensure it is aligned and does not leak.

The Jet Tstat is more expensive but comes with a gasket. The Jet also is a perfect fit, at 63mm.
The Jet is actually made by Motorad.
http://marylandspeed.com/jet-180-degree ... rers_id=92

Checked out the link and purchasing it now. Thanks!

[MrBenchMark]

OK...well I should be getting my Jet 180* T-Stat today. Any final instructions on settings regarding the tune on the predator besides what Broadfca shared with me above (turning cooling fans down 23*)?

[broadfca]

OK...well I should be getting my Jet 180* T-Stat today. Any final instructions on settings regarding the tune on the predator besides what Broadfca shared with me above (turning cooling fans down 23*)?

With your new 180 stat and those fan settings, your engine coolant temp should average around 185*f with the a/c off. A bit higher with the a/c on... probably in the 190-193 range on a warm day. This is normal and good running temps. You will hear your high cooling fan cycle from time to time. This is also normal. Just means that everything is working like it should. Enjoy

[MrBenchMark]

OK...well I should be getting my Jet 180* T-Stat today. Any final instructions on settings regarding the tune on the predator besides what Broadfca shared with me above (turning cooling fans down 23*)?

With your new 180 stat and those fan settings, your engine coolant temp should average around 185*f with the a/c off. A bit higher with the a/c on... probably in the 190-193 range on a warm day. This is normal and good running temps. You will hear your high cooling fan cycle from time to time. This is also normal. Just means that everything is working like it should. Enjoy

OK...received my stat today and slightly hesitated on installing it. Why, you might ask. Well, someone actually discouraged the use of a cooler stat over the factory one. He himself owns a str8 and said he still runs his factory stat and wouldn't consider getting a cooler one. He explained that by putting in a cooler stat several things happen. One would be the cooling fan(s) would run more frequently therefore shortening the life of the cooling fan(s). Another reason was due to the fact it won't take long for the water to get up to temp using a 180 stat therefore it would be opening quite frequently, it would almost be like not even having a stat to begin with. There were other reasons as well I cannot even begin to go into, but he did give me a link to check out that did a little explaining too.

http://www.oncourse4wd.com/4wd/4wd_coolant.asp

I am getting confused here....

[Quick]

OK...received my stat today and slightly hesitated on installing it. Why, you might ask. Well, someone actually discouraged the use of a cooler stat over the factory one. He himself owns a str8 and said he still runs his factory stat and wouldn't consider getting a cooler one. He explained that by putting in a cooler stat several things happen. One would be the cooling fan(s) would run more frequently therefore shortening the life of the cooling fan(s). Another reason was due to the fact it won't take long for the water to get up to temp using a 180 stat therefore it would be opening quite frequently, it would almost be like not even having a stat to begin with. There were other reasons as well I cannot even begin to go into, but he did give me a link to check out that did a little explaining too.

http://www.oncourse4wd.com/4wd/4wd_coolant.asp

I am getting confused here....

If you ask enough people you will every possible answer. In this case you would want to listen to people who know something about engines. There are no qualifications to buy an SRT8.

Putting in a cooler T-stat has nothing to do with how often the fans run. The temperature difference relative to ambient temperature just isn't that much. If you set the fans the same number of degrees over the 180 t-stat they will turn on and off just as often as they do with the stock t-stat and fan settings and they'll run for about the same amount of time once they turn on before turning off.

As for the t-stat opening to frequently... that's the first time I heard that one. haha. (sorry, I had to chuckle at that one). Think about it this way. With the t-stat closed there is not enough cooling capacity with just coolant circulating in the block to dissipate the heat the engine produces (ok, maybe if you're in -double digit temps).Your T-stat WILL open. Now, again, the temperature difference between a 180 T-stat and the stock one is just not that significant relative to ambient temperatures. BOTH of them will be opening just about as often. In fact, even if it did make a difference a lower t-stat would be opening and closing less often than the stock one. So if you went to extremes he had that one backwards.

Now there are reasons not to run too cold of a t-stat but those aren't them. And a 180 is not too cold of a t-stat. For our engines maybe a 160 or 165 t-stat is too cold.

If you're really sensitive about emissions then the car is designed to run most efficiently emission wise up around 210*. Of course if you were that sensitive about emissions you would have bought an electric car instead of a hemi right?
Then there is fluid temps. Some people feel that you should run your oil up around 190 degrees to help flash off more of the gasses and condensation that get into it from hot/cold cycles when you shut it off and blowby and stuff like that. I think as long as you run these engines up over about 177* you're just fine. I've been running a 185 t-stat for a long time and had my oil analysed every time it's changed. The oil is in tremendous shape every time and I could probably double the change cycle if I wanted.

Not sure about the Africa article. That was about as bland and as "everybody knows that" as it gets.