Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Low Temp Thermostat + DiabloChip = ?

Hi Everyone,
I am thinking of buying a DiabloChip and would like to know if it makes sense to have it modified for a 160 degree thermostat?

I would like to cool down my Zetec/ATX for future mods. I have heard that a lower temp thermostat can improve power and extend the life of the engine. I have ALSO heard that a lower temp stat hurts fuel economy and can cause you to fail emissions. (I live in WI, and that would be bad.)

Can someone please give me some solid answers?

Thanks,
BP

I have a SuperChip, 160 degree Thermostst, oil cooler, and runnind cooling additives in Transmission fluid and cooling system.
Temp gauge never goes higher than between the "R" & "M".
Once I did all my cooling mods my lower RPM range felt stronger (according to the butt dyno) than when I just had a chip.

The temperature of the engine is computer controlled. A lower temperature thermostat will not make the car run cooler (except in frigid temperatures of course)

For better cooling you would need to upgrade the cooling components.

SVT radiator, electric waterpump, larger SVT fans, water wetter or the like, oil cooler...

The oil cooler was a great $75 investment.
I got a Deral form the Summit Racing web site.
Added a couple of cooling fans from Radio shack.
Does cover up a bout 1.5" across the bottom of the radiator.

Demon hit the nail right on the head. The car runs at the same temperature, regardless of what thermostat you have in.

Not to change subjects again... but what is the reliability with the elec. water pumps. I have thought about this for some time but heard the motor is only good for about 2000 hours of use. Demon, you have one and you wouldn't if it did not work. what is your thoughts on reliability. I know the perf. gains but need some reliability feedback.

How? The T-stat is a physical piece that operates just as any other T-stat does, the water pumps are physically driven... Does the ECU try to run a lean burn to raise the temps or what? From what I've seen on the scanner, the lower water temps actually hit a rich table, not a lean one...

I'm really interested in this one since my 3 liter has been a bit warm with these hot temps the past week and I was thinking of a cooler stat...

I am talking hot weather here (hence the previous reference - in cold weather the t-stat does control temp level)

The computer is pre-programmed to keep the engine at a specific temperature via the cooling fans.

If the temperature goes below this preset parameter the engine would fall back to open loop mode (engine warm up) until it reached the proper operating temperature. (I.E. very rich)

This situation is not likely during warm weather. However cooling system modifications & engine/engine bay cooling help could be made to accomplish this.

My car runs ~185 degrees and rarely even breaks 200 degrees in spirited or stop & go driving.

Now would I like the car to run cooler. Heck yeah! However without changing the PCM's preset specs it will not work out correctly.

About t-stats. According my 00 Ford CD's it is 180 degrees. However someone else posted they had a 190 in from the factory (96 or 97 model year IIRC) So???

I recommend 180 degrees either way.

BTW - I do not have, nor run an Electric water pump. Yes I do plan to do so in the future (23k now - half way to w/p death :rolleyes: :p )
I think an electric w/p will give ~50k miles of use before requiring a rebuild.

I think it's benefits are tremendous. Imagine the drag it exerts on a "single camshaft" at 6-7k rpm... I can definitely see how those power gain claims could be true.
Complete controllability of engine cooling, heat soak, etc. I know at the Auto-X meets that would be great since you run 4-5 times repeatedly in ~10 minutes increments. Staging lanes at the strip...

I'll have to see what I'm peaking at in this hot weather. The fans start up very quick, that's for sure though. They also stay on a heck of a lot longer than I remember. Time for an oil cooler and upgraded radiator...

If you run an oil temp gage you will be suprised...the oil temp on an SVT can 'nail' the temp around 300deg F...not good!!!!....fit a second cooler, the stoc 'modine' does little in the hot weater...if you are worried about 'too cold' use an oil stat in the circuit...