Is it ok to remove the thermostat completely in an FD? I figure it needs every bit of help it can to run colder...also, anyone here use 100% water and no coolant?

 

I don't think eliminating the thermostat would be a good idea. It has to be there for a reason. I didn't put 100% water, but I did put a lot more coolant than water. It seems to work fine with the ratio in favor of the coolant, but I'm not exactly sure if it will work the other way around.

 

It will take a lot longer to warm the car up.

 

That's true, I forgot about that one. If you have the thermostat eliminated, it will allow the constant flow of coolant. therfore, when your car is cold it will stay cold longer.

 

I removed the mechanicals of the stat, but left the stainless housing and it runs much cooler underhood even with 70 30 coolant mix. I recommend it for all summer FD owners. The engine still warms up quickly, but stays under half mast

 

Never remove the T-stat entirely in any car. The water pump needs a restriction to flow against so it can build head pressure in the engine block (up to 30-45psi in the block - this is unrelated to radiator cap pressure!) Without this head pressure you can get localized boiling, which is a Very Bad Thing.

 

Don't remove it the car won't run colder it will overheat. If you don't believe it then risk your engine to find out.

If it didn't overheat it is still a bad idea in general. Cruising at constant speed (ie freeway driving) will make the car run much cooler than it is intended to run which has a few negative implications.

Jeff

 

alright, looks like it staying in then . Thanks for the info.

What % do u guys run? 70% coolant 30% water? and in what seasons do u run this? Thanks!

 

My car overheated when I ran w/o a T-stat on the hwy for 15 miles 70-80mph on a 98 def F day with A/C on.

 

I took out the center section of the thermostat. I then ran that way for a weekend race in Pahrump. Outside temps were in the low 100's. For change, my car did not overheat, it ran temps of 210, and cooled down quite quickly when I stopped driving. Perhaps enough back pressure to circulate, but not restrictive like the stock thermostat is.