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Can't believe I never got one of these before considering I live in Massachusetts and went to college for 4 years in the frigid state of Maine...

Is there anything I need to consider before purchasing and installing one with only an FWI?

You shouldn't get one if you live in a cold area, stock is 195 and your heater won't blow as hot lol

Ahh okay. I think Massachusetts would be okay. Doesn't get too frigid here and the summers are hot, humid, and awful. Do I need anything else before the thermostat or to accompany it?

A tune lowering the fan turn-on temps always helps, because the 180 only works when the car is moving. If you sit in traffic a lot, then the temps will still stay around 200.

It's just when the thermo opens to let the coolant flow. No supporting mods needed, it's just nice to try and keep an iron block cool.

ChibiBlackSheep wrote:A tune lowering the fan turn-on temps always helps, because the 180 only works when the car is moving. If you sit in traffic a lot, then the temps will still stay around 200.

It's just when the thermo opens to let the coolant flow. No supporting mods needed, it's just nice to try and keep an iron block cool.

Thanks. Makes perfect sense. Why doesn't the temp work when the car is sitting still but still in drive?

Air flow through the radiator when the car is moving will cool it down to 180, regardless of fan settings. While it's not moving, there is no air flow. So the car is at the mercy of the fan settings. Which from the factory are an absolutely ridiculous 220 degrees.

nos4blood70 wrote:Air flow through the radiator when the car is moving will cool it down to 180, regardless of fan settings. While it's not moving, there is no air flow. So the car is at the mercy of the fan settings. Which from the factory are an absolutely ridiculous 220 degrees.

Ahh okay. So by default the thermostat releases coolant into the radiator at 200 degrees when moving? When idle and it reaches 200 degrees nothing happens until it reaches 220 and then the fans enable? Sorry if I'm confusing it.

I ran a 180* Thermostat in MN for 5 years. There was never a heat issue. It's 15 degrees, not 50.

The temp on the thermostat determines at what temperature it allows flow into the radiator. The PCM then controls the fans to turn on at a higher temp, to prevent overheating. You'll want the PCM fan temps to be brought down to maximize the lower thermostat temperature.

I noticed a change in heat when I switched to a 180. Yes it wasn't terrible, but still noticeable on those single digit and below 0 days haha

Thanks guys. So 180 thermostat with 200 fan temp from PCM? Or would you stick the PCM at 180 too?

I dropped my fan speeds to 192

Why such an odd number if you don't mind my asking?

I'm from Michigan and am running a 180* too. I've never noticed a problem even on those really cold days, but never really experienced the car when it was stock though.
In the winter my aeroforce tells me my temps will sit around 165 while cruising. In the summer they're usually around 190 while cruising on the freeway. I don't think I've ever seen it at over 200 though.

Typically you don't need the fans to turn on right at 180*. You want them only to come on once they're needed. I have mine set to come on at around 195* and off at ~188*. Even that is probably a little bit on the low side. Ideally you'd only need the fans on when sitting in traffic.

My fans are set at 180 for the fan1 and 185 for fan2. On the coldest days the car will run at about 175-180 degrees according to my aeroforce. On a hot day, in town with the AC running I get up to 190. Never seen near 200.

xyeLz wrote:Why such an odd number if you don't mind my asking?

Because I do a lot of "city" driving and didn't want my fans on all of the time. From driving around it seemed like a good compromise of a temp.

Nice. Are these easily replaced and do I need to purchase a new gasket and o-ring?

Piece of cake, just follow the upper radiator hose to the housing.

Should come with a new gasket, just drop it in and make sure it's not upside down haha

I purchased a 180* Stant Superstat, #45848. The rubber gasket was not included...Purchase separately.
I also purchased a paper gasket for the housing, but don't think it will be needed.

Thanks y'all!