Alright Haro, I didnt want to be the only dummy with the paper gasket

When they are brand new from the factory, they do not have a gasket. Just that rubber ring that fits around the stat.
After a few years corrosion does its thing and the factory fresh machined surfaces no longer seal well. If you want a drip tight seal after having removed the housing to replace the stat, you will have to use a paper gasket .....or do as I do and apply just a very light smear of silicone sealer on the mating surfaces.

still no leaks.. not like i expected it or anthing... but still...

with my old 195, car would run at 200 no matter what i put it threw

now with my 180 on the drive home tonight in 50 weather, with the cruise on at 70mph, for 24 miles, temp was 158-160... with a minute or two of spirited driving i had it up to 180, but nothing higher... still getting the same KR... pems, pems, pems, pems, pems, pems, pems, pems.....

threw this code on the way to work today

DTC P0128 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature

i thought the INTENSE pcm fixed this?

Why is your car running 158-160 with a 180 t stat? The stat should keep you at 180 minimum.

I'm thinking your 180 is messing up. It should keep the engine at 180 either way you drive it.

Mine threw that code when the weather got cold around here, so I put the 195 back in for winter. With the drilled 180, during the summer, I noticed a slight drop on the temperature gauge, but closer to what was likely 180 - not as low as yours. Sounds as if it may be stuck open...at least partially.

Can someone post a pic of what the temp gauge should read with a 180* stat in? I put mine in a few weeks ago but then took it to the dealer to have the upper and lower intake gaskets replaced and now it runs just barely below the 200 mark. I'm thinking they replaced it with a stock 195* stat and didn't say anything (not on the invoice anyway) or is this normal for a 180*? Many thanks!

this is my drive home, no WOT runs, never over 2000 RPM



here is the temp outside



here is after several minutes of WOT runs

this is how i drilled it if you were wondering.. two 1/8 holes