iowanine

Today I just replaced the thermostat and it went perfectly fine. The only difference that I noticed between the two thermostats is that the one that was on the car has what seems like a little bypass or backpressure valve. Just a hole with a portion of metal on it that opens and closes randomly as if it is intended to open for backpressure or release pressure. The replacement one that I bought fromChecker and put does not have that. Should I drive a tiny hole to give that functionality or will it operate fine like that? I have driven approximately 7-8 miles about and it has been fine.

Thanks for your help.

2002GTAUTOVERT

"if it isnt broke, dont fix it" i heard running a cooler thermo on our motors hurts power and mpg. have you noticed anything?

02WhiteGTVert

a 180* is good for the engine,it's only 12* lower than stock. and the thermostat you bought sounds like it's just fine,i noticed it too when i replaced mine last week.

iowanine

The really only difference I had noticed is that the stock temperature gauge was a tad lower than where it normally sits. It could have affected that, or I could just be imagining. But I do believe that it did run a little cooler it looks like.

I was just wondering if that little hole needed to be there for some reason because I had seen a write up on it that they suggested to do so.

02WhiteGTVertyou have not had any issues with it?

MrChubs1

If you drilla little hole it will just take longer for the engine to warm up. Not a good thing - just leave it alone.

If you went to a lower temp 'stat, of course your gauge will show lower. If you didn't change the temp the 'stat is rated at, I would guess you probably either had a defective one or just got a defective one.

I don't think a 180* stat will hurt anything except it possibly might pollute slightly more.

If you went to a 160*, it would cause the computer to stay in "open loop" where the engine runs richer during warm-up. You mileage will suffer and you'll pollute more. You'll also end up shortening the life of your cats and O2 sensors due to carbon buildup. No reason to do that anyway.

Ona non-computer controlled engine, you can run colder 'stats without these issues, but there's not usually a good reason to go colder than 160*. I actually DO have a 160* stat in my Chally. I've got 10.35:1 compression with iron heads, which pushes the limit on 93 octane. I found that I can run a little more timing and make more power with the cooler 'stat. The cooler temp helps control detonation. It's not somputer controlled tho!