Quote:
Originally Posted by "QUICK-SILVER"
If a cooling system is functioning properly, a cooler thermostat will not make an engine run hotter. Thermostat sets minimum engine operating temperature. Doesn't matter what radiator temps are as long as everything else is working right. Working right the water exiting the radiator will be cooler than what goes in. Then the thermostat will open or close to keep minimum engine temp where it's suppose to be.
The OP's car heating up at highway speeds...tells me something in the cooling system needs a little TLC.
Clay
|
This. If your engine runs hotter when you put a colder T-stat in, something is wrong.
For max power you want a cold intake. Colder/denser charge = more power. However, we're not driving around at full throttle all the time. As this is the street section, drivability is important. A warmer intake helps keep fuel in suspension giving a more homogeneous air/fuel mix that will burn better at lower RPMS/intake port velocities and hotter cylinders promote more complete/efficient combustion.
I run a 180 stat in my street cars. Good compromise between keeping things a little cooler for more power yet warm enough for good drivability.
My Formula never ran above 190-ish with a 180 T-stat in it (Needled hovered either side of 190 depending on air temps and how I was driving the car). The only time the gauge went above 195 was when there were problems.
To the OP - if I was you I'd try dialing in a couple more degrees of advance just to see what happens. Could be the engine will run cooler on the freeway. If it runs a little cooler and you don't get any pinging, try another couple of degrees. I wouldn't go over 36 total, but you might see a difference going more than 32. Or, you might not. Only way to tell is to try it. If you find it runs cooler on the freeway but you get pinging driving around town you could also try finding a vac can that gives more advance.
I'd also install a 180 thermostat. IMO, 160 is just too cold for daily driving/around town.