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

Right now I'm trying to get a hold of someone at PDQ Performance via Chris Wong's recommendation. Because there isn't a program for my PCM code (DJK4), I need to send it to Diablo/PDQ. If I am going to go through the hassle of having a PMCless car for a couple of weeks, I might as well have them do some MAJOR tweaks. Knowhutimean?

So far, from everyones discussion, I have the following:

-Low Temp Stat good
-Need SVT radiator and Dual fans for complete effectiveness
-Need re-programmed chip so that computer deosn't stay in "warm-up mode"

Will a low temp stat hurt me in the winter months?

Thanks for all of your input!

BP

Judging by my 160 stat experience with my Camaro in the winter, expect NO heat. Thats right, the car will run so cool that you will never get any heat whatsoever. Stick with a 180 stat.

Umm...Not true. I have the 160 Deg Tstat which I had put in when the system was flushed and the new temp sending unit was put in. A few weeks later we have some cool weather 35-40 degrees and the heater worked just fine. Zetec's run hot by nature.

Yeah, but Tennessee is much further south than Wisconson and Philly. 35*-40* is fall/spring nights for us.

If you really want more power and performance, then why don't you just trade that car in on a 2.5L Contour? Why put thousands into a 4 cylinder engine to make it still come shy of a stock 6 cylinder? I never could understand that concept. If performance is your goal, then you naturally would start with the biggest engine offered by the manufacturer as a baseline to build from.
But if you must try to squeeze water from a turnip, then know this:
The thermostat on a car does NOT effect the running temp of the system. It only controls the MINIMUM operating temp that the system can run. Cooling fans (switched by computer) control the normal to max temp. My car has factory thermostat and it ALSO runs in the R - M range just like the guy above in this topic who has 160 thermostat installed (there's the proof). If you wanted to alter the operating temp to run around 160, then you could get the adjustable fan controller thermostatic switch from Summit Racing Equipment. It has it's own radiator mounted temp sensing bulb. It would control the fans independently from the computer. That used in conjunction with the 160 thermostat WOULD lower operating temp, BUT then your right: you WONT pass emmi9ssions because computer will stay in warmup mode (as SVTDemon stated) w/ richer fuel mixture. Also keep in mind that fuel economy will suffer as well if engine is not operating within it's normal temp (possibly even worse mileage than the 2.5 V-6 option normally gets?)
Also, this whole computer chip thing is really iffy cause I've tried chips before, and any gains (not noticeable from seat of your pants feel), do cause car to fail emmisions. And the gains are really argueable, as I didn't notice any worth mentioning, so I put the stock one back in.

I don't want to know the oil temp just yet... until I get it down to a reading that the oil gauge can handle anyway. My SE 3 liter with stock SE radiator, sans any SVT factory oil cooler parts, could probably hit 300 pretty dang easy too if my driving wasn't all highway with very little if any bumper to bumper. Right now, seeing an oil temp gauge pegged all of the time would be of little help...