Zellanor

Other than keeping the engine running cooler, what are the other benefits of a 160 degree thermomstat? I have heard of minor HP gains, ture or not?

Goldenpony

Benefits? How about engine sludge, lower gas mileage, no more HP. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

Zellanor

Thanks for the info. I guess, I won't do it

CrazyAl

You might get a tiny bit more HP but it is unlikely. The theory is that if the engine is cooler, then the intake charge will be slightly denser, and thus you'll be able to squeeze in a tiny bit more fuel/air....but it doesn't really pan out. Think about it: Do you notice a difference in performance between a 100 degree day and a 70 degree day? I don't.

It will reduce the efficiency of your engine though. All heat cycle engines are more efficient the hotter they get. Cool them down and you reduce power output per unit fuel.You also increase your pumping losses becasue oil is more viscous when it's cooler. Of course this is a tradeoff, becasue the hotteran engine isthe more difficult it is to get proper lubrication and also the wear rate is higher.Engineers learned a long time ago what the optimum temperature is for maintaining a good balance between power and longevity--and that's why OEM thermostats are in the 180-190 range on most engines. I wouldn't muck with it.

Zellanor

Once again, Thanks CrazyAl. Your a very intelligent man.

RodeoFlyer

It will make a little more power at the expense of longevity like Al said. On 5liters we used to take the stat out completely. It would trick the old EEC-IV into fattening up the mixture and you could get away with ridiculous timing on pump gas. The cam bearings didn't like it so much though.....

jrm1900

Auto engines are designed to run within a certain temperature range, different metals expand at different rates thus the importance of maintaining the temperature the engine was designed for.
If a mod like that could improve performance without hurting durability you can bet Ford would have fitted our engines with lower temp thermostats and sell more HP for the same money.

RED121572

One of the popular mods you could do to a Buick Grand Nationalis to use a 160 degree thermostat. Ive never read anything to where anyone was using that low of a thermostat on the new Mustangs.

06hoss

Yeah, the 05+ Mustang is in warm up mode until the coolant temp reaches 160 degrees so the A/F is set richer until that point. If you use a 160 degree stat and it is off, say atslighty less than 160,then you are going to be in permanent warm up mode and get lousy gas mileage.