180 t'stat question

[slickster]

I see a lot of you's use a 180 t'stat. What is the ups and downs of it, where I live it gets really hot yet really cold

[musclemerc]

Pros- Cooler ECTs
Cons- None

[fastblackmerc]

Cons = None
Pros = you can add more timing
More timing = more HP

Of course you'll need a tune to make use of it.

BTW... you can go with a colder heat range spark plug also.

[JimmyXR7]

I see a lot of you's use a 180 t'stat. What is the ups and downs of it, where I live it gets really hot yet really cold

I had overheating problem using the Murray brand ~190 degree thermostat with the temp gauge indicating impending overheat.
Most engines have the thermostat in the block/manifold. The Marauder has the thermostat in the hoses in front. Possibly the cold air was causing the hose mounted thermostat to not open correctly.
I installed a Stant 180 degree thermostat and problem went away. Engine temperature gauge went back to normal operation.
Jim

[SC Cheesehead]

Cons = None
Pros = you can add more timing
More timing = more HP

Of course you'll need a tune to make use of it.

BTW... you can go with a colder heat range spark plug also.

^^^^ What he said. ^^^^

If you change out the thermostat, make sure you burp the cooling system.

[babbage]

I just got this one, which I think is the best available for a 4V. Make sure that whatever T-Stat you do decide to get has a thermal bypass setup on it. A 4.6 2v T-stat is the wrong kind.

I had the 180 for a 4V and wasn't much difference. I think this one costs $54.00, but it works. Site: http://reischeperformance.com



170° vs 180° Temp - These next 4 pics show how our 4.6L DOHC thermostat (right) responds alongside
of the 03-04 Mustang Cobra OEM themostat (RT1168) as temps increase while underwater

http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat1.jpg

.
http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat2.jpgThis pic shows how the t-stats react to coolant temps in the mid to upper 180s. Even though the stock Cobra thermostat is a 180° unit (left) you can see it actually allows very little flow at these temps. And an OEM GT500 (192°) unit would still be fully closed at this point.http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat3.jpg

You can see that if you want to keep coolant temps under 190° then you need a thermostat that starts to open around 15-20° lower than that.
This is why we believe 170° is the ideal opening temperature for performance applications
.http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat4.jpg
So there's just no reason to settle for the poor cold weather performance of a 160° opening temp.
Plus Reische Performance thermostats operate more effectively, without the compromise of an improperly fitting bypass, which means our DOHC units will outperform any other low temp thermostat under any condition.

Additional Cooling System Improvements
It is critical that the fan settings in your tune are set up properly to see the best possible heat dissipation from your cooling system. Otherwise a low temp thermostat will only be effective when the vehicle is moving because heat cannot be removed unless there is air passing through the radiator. With our thermostat installed your cooling fan(s) should be set to turn on between 184-190° and shut off between 176-182°, if not then re-flash your tune with the appropriate settings. Water transfers heat more effectively than antifreeze so we recommend using the lowest concentration of antifreeze possible for your climate along with a product like Redline Water Wetter. Just make sure you have enough antifreeze in your coolant to keep it from freezing in the winter and always run no less than 20% in a street car. We do not recommend adding Water Wetter to coolant that is more than 40% antifreeze.

[musclemerc]

170* is too cool for a MM engine.

The stock tstat is 188*

Stick with the 180* stat

[LANDY]

I have heard form various tuners that our engines best combustion is around 176*
170* t-stat ftw

[2004_p71]

very interesting info badbage
thanks alot

[musclemerc]

I just got this one, which I think is the best available for a 4V. Make sure that whatever T-Stat you do decide to get has a thermal bypass setup on it. A 4.6 2v T-stat is the wrong kind.

I had the 180 for a 4V and wasn't much difference. I think this one costs $54.00, but it works. Site: http://reischeperformance.com



170° vs 180° Temp - These next 4 pics show how our 4.6L DOHC thermostat (right) responds alongside
of the 03-04 Mustang Cobra OEM themostat (RT1168) as temps increase while underwater

http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat1.jpg

.
http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat2.jpgThis pic shows how the t-stats react to coolant temps in the mid to upper 180s. Even though the stock Cobra thermostat is a 180° unit (left) you can see it actually allows very little flow at these temps. And an OEM GT500 (192°) unit would still be fully closed at this point.http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat3.jpg

You can see that if you want to keep coolant temps under 190° then you need a thermostat that starts to open around 15-20° lower than that.
This is why we believe 170° is the ideal opening temperature for performance applications
.http://reischeperformance.com/Images/stat4.jpg
So there's just no reason to settle for the poor cold weather performance of a 160° opening temp.
Plus Reische Performance thermostats operate more effectively, without the compromise of an improperly fitting bypass, which means our DOHC units will outperform any other low temp thermostat under any condition.

Additional Cooling System Improvements
It is critical that the fan settings in your tune are set up properly to see the best possible heat dissipation from your cooling system. Otherwise a low temp thermostat will only be effective when the vehicle is moving because heat cannot be removed unless there is air passing through the radiator. With our thermostat installed your cooling fan(s) should be set to turn on between 184-190° and shut off between 176-182°, if not then re-flash your tune with the appropriate settings. Water transfers heat more effectively than antifreeze so we recommend using the lowest concentration of antifreeze possible for your climate along with a product like Redline Water Wetter. Just make sure you have enough antifreeze in your coolant to keep it from freezing in the winter and always run no less than 20% in a street car. We do not recommend adding Water Wetter to coolant that is more than 40% antifreeze.


I have heard form various tuners that our engines best combustion is around 176*
170* t-stat ftw


^^I agree, if you install a 170* stat and get the perameters in the tune redone for the fan control then its cool. Are the tuners considering the MM engine is not 100% the same as a Cobra? Steel~vs~ aluminum blocks, high compression ~vs~low compression, forged ~vs~ non forged internals, oil cooler ~vs~ non oil cooler equiped

If your looking to bolt on and go without modifying your tune (like 99.99% of the people who swap t-stats) then this stat will cause some heat issues especially in the South. At 170* the stat will never close.

[slickster]

I concur........

[musclemerc]

;)

Try to avoid the Stant line of tstats, there has been a few members that have had issues with them. Personally I prefer the NAPA 180* stat, it has a relief built in and is a very nice piece NAPA PN# 109 make sure you get a new O ring and when your done follow this procedure for burping the system.
http://reischeperformance.com/refill

installing the 180* stat will give a drop of about 7*~10* in ECTs, there is no need to run any cooler that that so also avoid additives like Water Wetter or 10* Below.

Good Luck! :burnout:

[TooManyFords]

My opinion:

Only swap the T-stat when you race more than you cruise. It is a waste of money otherwise. If you do race and need to drop the temps, then get the Reische unit ^^^ and follow the directions about retuning the fan on/off settings.

[GreekGod]

My opinion:

Only swap the T-stat when you race more than you cruise. It is a waste of money otherwise. If you do race and need to drop the temps, then get the Reische unit ^^^ and follow the directions about retuning the fan on/off settings.
I tend to agree, and disagree. A stock daily driver should use the Ford recommended 'stat. A lower temp 'stat could lead to sludge build-up, especially in cold weather, severe duty service (which most of us in cooler climates experience). Severe duty includes short trips where the engine doesn't reach operating temperature. The engine will condense water vapor in the oil, which will/can lead to sludge build-up. Just one reason for frequent oil changes in severe duty service.

[napolitano]

I'm about to swap out stats soon and am quite confused by you guys theories on stock. Naps. And the reische one. We're in florida and it gets hot. Very hot in summer. With a IAT reaching 140 sometimes. Yet taking into consideration n/a cards may reach higher oat temps, would would.be the ideal stat for us s/c guys down here?

[stryker]

I recently buy the Stant 180*c termostat and the motorcraft 22* spark plugs but why I have to do a tune after install those ? :confused:

[SC Cheesehead]

I recently buy the Stant 180*c termostat and the motorcraft 22* spark plugs but why I have to do a tune after install those ? :confused:

Shouldn't have to do a tune for those changes.

[fastblackmerc]

I recently buy the Stant 180*c termostat and the motorcraft 22* spark plugs but why I have to do a tune after install those ? :confused:

You don't have to do a tune after installing them...... but if you don't you will get no benefit from them.

[Marauderjack]

I installed a 180* thermostat several years ago and can see ZERO difference in top operating temps as compared to OEM......it does take a bit longer to reach top temp but only a few minutes!!:cool:

In 90* ambient my engine runs about 200* on the interstate (exactly the same as OEM) so I see no advantage to a 180* thermostat!!:shake:

I agree with John...a waste of money unless you race a lot!!:beer:

[GreekGod]

Just a note for the uninformed...the temperature rating is the temp it starts to open...the fully open temp is different.

[stryker]

Shouldn't have to do a tune for those changes. :cool: Nice SCCHEESEHEAD mang thanks for clear that doubt. :o

[babbage]

170* is too cool for a MM engine.

The stock tstat is 188*

Stick with the 180* stat

170 reishce unit STARTS to open at 170. You'll never be able to run at 170F with this


My opinion:

Only swap the T-stat when you race more than you cruise. It is a waste of money otherwise. If you do race and need to drop the temps, then get the Reische unit ^^^ and follow the directions about retuning the fan on/off settings.

This 170 actually ran at coldest of 175 - normal at 180-181F at 80mph - highway 5 hour trip - outside temp 65F-68F. At Idle for 5 mins and it was up to 190F. If you race - your barely up to temp when you hit the drags. Not to many circle track racers with an MM.


I tend to agree, and disagree. A stock daily driver should use the Ford recommended 'stat. A lower temp 'stat could lead to sludge build-up, especially in cold weather, severe duty service (which most of us in cooler climates experience). Severe duty includes short trips where the engine doesn't reach operating temperature. The engine will condense water vapor in the oil, which will/can lead to sludge build-up. Just one reason for frequent oil changes in severe duty service.

Sludge? - if you don't drive you MM for at least 10-15 minutes per start this *could* be a problem no matter what t-stat you run.


I'm about to swap out stats soon and am quite confused by you guys theories on stock. Naps. And the reische one. We're in florida and it gets hot. Very hot in summer. With a IAT reaching 140 sometimes. Yet taking into consideration n/a cards may reach higher oat temps, would would.be the ideal stat for us s/c guys down here?

Reische unit. I actually own one unlike the other "theorists". If you are in the south you need this. Just because it's 170 Tstat doesn't magically mean your coolant will be at 170F, because it won't.

Reishe says "If you want 180F coolant" you need a quality 170F T-stat.

I had the Motocraft 180F T-stat and saw very little if any difference - the 170F Reishce unit really works - if you want to know why scroll up.

[Dragcity]

Why no Water Wetter? I added that to mine when I upgraded....

[babbage]

Why no Water Wetter? I added that to mine when I upgraded....


Didn't really need it. Got the EMP Pump, Reinhart rear head cooling kit, and Reische 170F. Going to drags soon at ESTA - Wanna come out? :burnout:

[Dragcity]

Still no posi. Hell. My Marauder is still in storage. Just going for an inspection this week.

[GreekGod]

From Ford's Scheduled Maintenance Guide (http://www.motorcraftservice.com/?link=002&urlfile=/pubs/content/%7EWO3MDR/%7EMUS%7ELEN/36/03a03mg6e.pdf) :“Special Operating Conditions”

If you operate your Ford/Lincoln/Mercury primarily in one of the more demanding “Special Operating Conditions” listed below, you will need to have some items maintained more frequently. If you only occasionally operate your vehicle under these conditions, it is not necessary to perform the additional maintenance. For specific recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or qualified service professional.

1) Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier

2) Extensive idling and/or low-speed driving for long distances as in heavy commercial use such as delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery

3) Operating in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads

4) Off-road operation

[napolitano]

I just ordered my reische thermostat. I talked to Joel at reische and he is in Texas. It gets about as hot there as it does in Florida. he recommends running water wetter with a 20% water to 80% coolant ratio. The terminators are running these all day long. He told me to put his information out there if anybody had any questions regarding his thermostats. Joel at Riesche Performance 661-414-2116

[GreekGod]

I just ordered my reische thermostat. I talked to Joel at reische and he is in Texas. It gets about as hot there as it does in Florida. he recommends running water wetter with a 20% water to 80% coolant ratio. The terminators are running these all day long. He told me to put his information out there if anybody had any questions regarding his thermostats. Joel at Riesche Performance 661-414-2116

Doesn't sound right. Coolant at 80% is too high. Better cooling at 50/50. Why not use the Ford recommendation? Does Joel know better than Ford engineers?

[napolitano]

Doesn't sound right. Coolant at 80% is too high. Better cooling at 50/50. Why not use the Ford recommendation? Does Joel know better than Ford engineers?



Sorry about that. I meant coolant at 20% and water at 80% with water setter.

[Dragcity]

Yes. Water gives up its heat faster than antifreeze. 80% water makes sense ....