I think the factory is 195 degrees.

I heard conflicting notions about this.

I like to drop my temp to 180 or 160 degrees thermostat.

Some people say that nowdays the ECU will set the AF ratio to stock levels regardless of thermostat temps.

Other notion says that it will run richer.

Anyone got info or experience they like to share?

 

Stephen had a 160 in his FC. Kept temps nice and cool. Took forever to heat up though.

 

I doubt it would run rich.. probably only runs rich during the "high idle" phase and a bit after. 160 should be slick-***

 

I don't think the stock ECU wants to see anything below 180 degrees or it starts running it a tad rich. The stock 3rd gen thermostat is 177-183 i think? So dropping down to a 160 would leave you pretty cool and seeing well below 180. If you do it, let us know the results.
~Tom

 

for the FD running rich might be a good idea - less chance of KABOOM

 

If you go to low, the coolant fluid gets cooler but does not allow enough time to heat transfer and cool the engine.

 

good point.

 

I believe that the stock tstat is 192deg. Most recommend a 180deg, but nothing lower. The argument about not enough time for heat transfer doesn't make much sense. If more cooler coolant is flowing then it is going to suck more heat out of your engine. The issue is that you could lower the temp lower then the most efficient opperating level and then you are going to waste fuel by reducing combustion efficiency, etc. I only had one year of thermo though and nothing specific to internal combustion, but I believe this is the general idea.

 

makes sense to me


i think i will try 180 degrees temp to compensate for the already hot engine area.