Sounds normal to me...I recently replaced the tstat on my '93 SSEi with a 180 from AutoZone. They only had the less expensive version in stock, roughly $5. Now the temp reads around 190/195 when the car is moving, but the temp still climbs to 220 or so during extended idling, just like it did with the old 195 tstat. If the temp stays around 220 for more than a few minutes, I turn on the AC to force the fans on and it cools down within a minute or two.

White Lightning,

I have a '92. Three days ago I finally broke down and replaced my stock 195 with a 180 (in 50 degree F weather the system started running about a constant 210-220. Now, on the open road it runs at about 185. When I sit in traffic however, it runs up to 200 to 220 or so (same as before). The fan kicks on and it drops back down to about 185. It NEVER got that low with the 195 however. I was very surprised to see the temps climb that high with a 180! Mind you, once the fan kicks on or I get back up to speed it does stabilize back down to 185.

I don't really think that with the way I drive it makes much difference one way or the other. I have about 190,000 miles on her with stock 195. Never any overheating that I could detect. She seems to prefer to run hot! Just changed the plugs at over 100,000 miles on them . The insulators looked as white as my teeth!

ok, dont take this in the wrong way or anything i just dont really understand what you're getting at? can you go into a little more detail with me?

I wonder what makes my car so different. I have never had it run over 205 even with the 195 in and I drive in town a lot.

I just changed the T-stats in both of my Bonnies on the weekend. Put a 180 SupaStant in each one and I am impressed.

Where before both cars used to hover around 205 in normal driving and 215/220 in traffic, now both cars are sitting at 190/195 all the time. I think my supercharged Bonnie hit 200 today but that was heavy stop and go traffic.

I am happy now.

Next steps: fix my SSEi'* rear speakers and my SSE'* Transmission shuddering/noise.

Cheers,

I have a 93 SSE Supercharged (145,000miles). Car over heats, three trips to the dealer and $1000 later and still no fix, even took out freeze plugs for a looky-lou. New radiator...

What I know; Lowering thermostat has helped, Adding a third fan to the front of radiator has helped (Derale 12" Tornado fan # 16512, set at 180 to 190), new water pump made it worse, the stamped impeller is not as good as the original cast impeller (I looking for a cast version and then maybe getting it machined) UNLESS ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO GET A HI FLOW ONE! Besides electric.

I ride this car hard, but do above and beyond in keeping it mint. Mint I tell you (sorry). I love this car and I have had Trans Am'* and Mustang GT'* (well I loved that mustang too). But, I use it to tow my SeaDoo XP in the AZ summer. The reason for my journey, grass hopper. Any more ideas for taming the heat output dragon.

Some items I'd look at:

Is the belt slipping on the waterpump? Get some belt dressing for it to be sure.

Is the radiator clogging up? Perhaps a flush is in order.

Have you verified that your ECT sensor is actually reading correctly?

Hi Willwren and jr's3800

the $1000 covers new belt, new pulley tensioner, and ECM check, the radiator was done at the dealer and is the correct one, I checked. The oil is in the radiator and the trans has it own cooler, I have owned the car since 66,000miles. Replace the water pump, but that made thing a little worse. My theroy is the stamped fins are not as good as the cast ones, which are a little longer.

Don, I like the direction you're taking here. A radiator swap was done for a reason. It was likely a corroded/restricted core. I'd like to know how much of that crud migrated to the coolant passages. That coolant flush/pressure/flow check would be critical at this point.

it happened to me too. i got a 180 stat from napa and on my way to work it almost went red so i pulled over for 2 minutes with the car in idle then it went down to 180 and never had anymore problems.