How To Cahnge Thermostat in 94SE
11-25-2004, 06:32 PM
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Why Drill Holes in Your Thermostat?
I guess the obvious reason is to keep your car cooler therefore controlling KR. However the holes only reduce overall engine temps by about 5 degrees so we have a much more important reason for this.
While at the track you open the hood, maybe ice the charger and let the motor cool down between runs. This may bring your coolant temps down to very low levels, which is good however these cool temps may actually slow you down. With the coolant and engine cooled down there is no coolant circulating until the engine temps reach the temp of the Thermostat.
This would normally be OK however when you're racing the combustion chambers heat up very quickly. So the coolant around the cylinders and heads might reach 250 degrees before the stat even begins to open. This is very bad and can cause high levels of KR in the back half of the ¼ mile. By drilling the holes in the thermostat you can eliminate this problem because you will always have a small amount of coolant flowing.
I guess the obvious reason is to keep your car cooler therefore controlling KR. However the holes only reduce overall engine temps by about 5 degrees so we have a much more important reason for this.
While at the track you open the hood, maybe ice the charger and let the motor cool down between runs. This may bring your coolant temps down to very low levels, which is good however these cool temps may actually slow you down. With the coolant and engine cooled down there is no coolant circulating until the engine temps reach the temp of the Thermostat.
This would normally be OK however when you're racing the combustion chambers heat up very quickly. So the coolant around the cylinders and heads might reach 250 degrees before the stat even begins to open. This is very bad and can cause high levels of KR in the back half of the ¼ mile. By drilling the holes in the thermostat you can eliminate this problem because you will always have a small amount of coolant flowing.
They recomend a 180* t-stat for your L36 motor...and this is the reason why you run a cooler, or sooner opening tstat with holes in it.
In the red circle is a crack in the cylinder head.
11-25-2004, 06:50 PM
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It may take a little bit longer for a 180 t-stat to warm up to temp in the winter but like somebody already posted, heating up too quick can cause issues. Just make sure you get off all of the old gasket stuff, get a new gasket, and replace the rubber seal. Its a simple process. Only takes 10 minutes.
11-25-2004, 07:23 PM
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How To Change Thermostat on 94SE
I thought since my VIn was 1G2HX52L4R###### that that meant that I had an engine where the stock thermostat was a 195F version.
Is this not right?
Mike in Alabama
Is this not right?
Mike in Alabama
11-25-2004, 07:35 PM
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Re: How To Change Thermostat on 94SE
Originally Posted by mikeblue94
I thought since my VIn was 1G2HX52L4R###### that that meant that I had an engine where the stock thermostat was a 195F version.
Is this not right?
Mike in Alabama
Is this not right?
Mike in Alabama
Yes, You've got a Vin L L27, with a stock 195* thermostat, However many of us have swapped to a 180* thermostat. I think you live slightly farther south than me but in 114* heat in can have the air conditioning on full, jackrabbit starts all day long and I don't over heat. The 180* will let your engine start cooling earlier so that it doesn't get to such high temperatures on those hot days.
11-29-2004, 03:51 PM
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Im having the same problem. Where can I get a new 180 Tstat for my car and with the gaskets I'll need? I dont want to order online as I want this to be fixed quick.
11-29-2004, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by CmptrNerd
Im having the same problem. Where can I get a new 180 Tstat for my car and with the gaskets I'll need? I dont want to order online as I want this to be fixed quick.
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