First of all, is a bone stock 2000 SE (minus a K&N) going to benefit from a 180 T-stat performance wise or is this just a precautionary thing due to the cracked intake issue I've seen? I'm not aware of how prevelant the intake problem is actually. Please enlighten me.

Secondly, is there going to be a noticeable difference in warm-up times in the cabin during cold Missouri winters with a 180? Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I'm not looking for any performance per say, but if it will increase the longevity of my engine, I'm all for it. I engage in "spirited" driving from time to time so I suppose it may not be a bad idea, eh?

If I decide to go this route, do I need the gasket too?

Thanks.

i dont notice any difference with my 180* in the winter

The thermostat prevents significant flow to the radiator until the design temperature, so it should not take any longer for the engine to warm up with the 180, it just won't get as hot or run as hot. But, because the coolant has to heat up other cold parts and displace cold coolant, in effect, cooler water will result in longer warm-up times for the heater core. But, we are only talking about 12 -15*F difference here, and you will probably not notice a significant difference.

The upper intake manifold burn-through is an engine-destroying problem for the non-supercharged 3800 engines built from '95 to '03. Models built after '99 take a little longer to fail, but they too will fail. It is just a matter of time. Lower intake manifold gasket failure is also a major concern for 3800 owners. Please read the techinfo article: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

A drilled 180 thermostat is a good idea. You will need the rubber gasket that fits around the flange and maybe a paper gasket, too. $10 should get you where you need to go.

Any reason to get the Intense thermostat over a parts house if I don't have any mods? I know all about the lower intake gasket failures. Been there, done that.

What about the heat shield idea I read about from the link you sent me? That sounds like the way to go.

the intense thermostat flows more coolant than a standard autozone t-stat. it has a larger opening.

Assuming you have already installed the new aluminum frame GM LIM gaskets, a heat shielded UIM is the only way to go. You also want a large insulating gap between the hot EGR stovepipe and the shield. My recommendation for a 2000 L36 is to install an APN upper that comes with a heat shield in place, and have the shoulder of the reduced diameter stovepipe (included in the APN kit) machined to fit the 5/8" bore in the LIM. I would change out the coolant elbow with a heat-tested one, and drill and install a 180 stat. Finally, I don't know if 2000 models were still using Dex, but if so, I would drain, flush and re-fill with the newer "mixes with any color" coolant using the filling procedure described in Techinfo.

After that, all that remains is to monitor coolant level, and maybe every couple years clean the throttle body and the gap between the stovepipe and the shield.

Picked up a 180 this evening and the feller behind the counter said a 180 would mess up the computer. I told him I thought the 160 may but not the 180. Fill me in.

Also, how does one go about drilling their tstat? What is the purpose of this?

Thanks.

180 thermostat will not mess up the computer. Drill a 1/16" or 3/32" hole in the flange (install the rubber gasket before drilling and get close to, but not touching, the gasket). The hole provides a means for air to escape from the engine. Please read the Techinfo article on coolant filling. http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=100

Please try the search feature to read about these things. There is a lot of information in the archives.

Guys at the parts stores will always try to tell you this, but these are the same guys that argue with me when I tell them I need "X" sized belt when their computer lists a different one . The computer is fine with a 180 tstat. A 160 will throw a code usually however. If you are worried about warm up times in the winter and whatnot, do not drill a hole in the tstat. A regular 180 will be fine. I have a drilled 160, and for the winter its really not any fun, its usually just getting fully warmed up as I pull into wherever I was going. I have been meaning to put my 180 back in but haven't gotten around to it. Also, you don't want the engine to run cold all the time, from time to time you do want it to warm up over 212* to boil the water in the crankcase. So going with like a drilled tstat or a 160 will prevent it from getting that hot very often. For most daily drivers, I recommend a regular 180 tstat, especially if its driven in the winter.

Sounds good. Thanks.