Colder t-stat myths
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Yes, the upper intakes usually fail due to the EGR port running through the upper intake, and causing the plastic to degrade.... The slightly cooler thermostat 180F will aid in helping keep the upper intake cooler, but it will not solve the upper intake problem... It may just prolong the structural integrity of the upper intake... My 2nd upper intake has now lasted as long as the original, without loosing any coolant... I'll be looking into ripping it off and replacing it in the near future, just to see the amount of degradation around the EGR stove pipe...
I'm going to block mine off for heat and cleanliness reasons even though I don't have a plastic intake.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Because this will cause the combustion temps to rise causing burnt valves and or cracked exahust manifolds in the long run, much in the same manner as the 92 bonneville without the EGR valve.... This is why it was reintroduced into the 93 and later models...
EGR is done for emmision reasons...I thought. How can removing a source of heat cause the temps to rise?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
OK, I did a little reading on the subject.
EGR was not used standard prior to 1973. It was introduced to indead lower the combustion temperature and reduce the amount of oxides of nitrogen produced.
The valve is closed at idle and at full throttle. It only opens mid throttle when the engine is warm.
EGR was not used standard prior to 1973. It was introduced to indead lower the combustion temperature and reduce the amount of oxides of nitrogen produced.
The valve is closed at idle and at full throttle. It only opens mid throttle when the engine is warm.
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
So I guess if you live in a state like NJ, with car inspections systems that seem like an illegal industry within itself (I'd rather get my teeth drilled without Novacaine then get in a free inspection line), who seem to thrive more on failing cars for emissions than passing them - any car without the EGR could benefit and run more efficiently with the intended 195 t-stat in emissions testing while risking a cracked intake....Use a 180 t-stat and you might benefit from possibly eliminating the plastic intake problem, but run the risk of failing emissions testing.
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by TiMSmo0th
Yes no yes no yes no.....
ok now that i can't make up my mind, I live in Louisiana, and it gets HOT here, so should I get one for my N/A series 1 with no stock co0ler? Let me know what you think. I have already had my tranny rebuilt before, so I want to keep it as long as I can.
ok now that i can't make up my mind, I live in Louisiana, and it gets HOT here, so should I get one for my N/A series 1 with no stock co0ler? Let me know what you think. I have already had my tranny rebuilt before, so I want to keep it as long as I can.
-and I want to put in a 180* stat also.... any thoughts?
Senior Member
Expert Gearhead
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 20,893
Likes: 2
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Tim, since we don't have to worry about any plastic parts on our cars... 
a 180 T stat is a good idea. I installed one, it opens up your t-stat at 180 degress-ish, esp at the age of our cars, its best to keep things on the cooler side 
I think Jr will attest to that
a 180 T stat is a good idea. I installed one, it opens up your t-stat at 180 degress-ish, esp at the age of our cars, its best to keep things on the cooler side I think Jr will attest to that
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio 2002 SSEi
Originally Posted by jonboll
My car (97 SE) is having problems with burning the tranny fluid. I just had it flushed and a new filter, and 6k miles later its hardly even pink anymore. When it got changed it was dark brown and smelled heavily of burning (might have even tasted like it). So, I'm thinking a tranny cooler would help me in my case. I want to say that obviously there is some problem with the transmission that is causing this, but I can't get the dealership I get it serviced at to find anything wrong without paying them to take it apart (which I want to avoid). I guess after a tranny cooler, and probably another flush, we'll have to see what it does.
Jay
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio 2002 SSEi
Originally Posted by dbtk2
what if we have high summer temps and sub-zero winter temps???
Jay
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Well for starters the Fire Bird was a totally diffrent animal... Nothing like the 3800'* of today or yesteryear... The fuel injection is a diffrent world as compared to a Carb... The Bonneville you have runs within a very fine line, air to fuel ratio in the bonnies is 14.6-14.7 to 1 ratio... The is a MAP, MAF, TPS, HO2 POS 1, HO2 POS 2, which monitors and controlls the fuel dilevery of the 3800 96 and later... I don't know what happened in the Buick 3800 engines, but in 92 GM did discover that the car would pass emissions without the EGR valve... So for the 1992 model year the 3800 NA engines were built without the EGR.... GM came to realize that they were having serious trouble with burnt valves and cracking exahust manifolds... They had also found that the combustion temps had risen causing there problems due to the removal of the EGR valve... So for the 93 model year it was reintroduced, and the cracked manifolds and burnt valves have pretty much gone away.. I have seen a few of the 92 3800'* now that have had that very problem with the exahust valves... If you would like to know more talk to the DeathRat.... He can tell you a lot about this subject...
I'm going for it. Let you know in 20 years if it'* a problem.