Anyone out there who has gotten a second tranny cooler and 180 t-stat:
I have a 94 SSE series 1 and just ordered Hector'* cai. (Will, I guess I'll be the second, let me know how yours works out.) I have read that I need a 180 t-stat and another tranny cooler. Can someone let me know how urgent it is that I get these. And since I'll most likely get them either way, how much would it be to get these mods, including labor, since I'm not the most experienced with this type of thing. Could I buy a new t-stat and do it myself? Any help would GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks!

PM Will (willwren) if you want a faster answer!

Get both!!! You don't have to fet either but both are HIGHLY recommended. I have a stock tranny cooler and probably should get another one. I am heavy on the gas and have already gutted 1 tranny. If you can keep it cool it will last a long time. $70 now or $2000+ later.

The T-stat you can do yourself. I really never dug into my engine before but I decided to do it myself. It was suprisingly easy to do. It will help keep you car running a lot cooler and will help to prolong the life of the engine. IT will also help with KR. KR can kill power and wear the engine. I have a '95 SSEi (Series 1) and I uesd one off of grandprixstore.com for a GP. Well worth the money.

Do the 180° stat now, do the tranny cooler now or in the spring. I stacked an extra cooler in front of my stock one. Made a huge diff. I'm running about 5-10° cooler on average than JSeaberts 93SSE, with only the 180° stat installed. The tranny cooler helps alot more than just the tranny. Check my sig below.

We can walk you thru both procedures. Save the money.

Thanks, I read how to do the cooler upgrade, but am a bit confused, I'll find out somehow. But about the t-stat, where is it on your car (it'* probably the same as in mine). I can easily do that when I find the time. Can you post a pic or let me know where it is and how to change it. I appreciate it. Thanks again.

Intsructions for changing a thermostat on a 3800 engine http://www.gp-owners.com/upgrades/thermostat.html.

It is located on the front drivers side on the block. Just follow the upper hose leaving the radiator and it will run staright into it. As far as coolant, you don't have the dexcool so ignore the part about coolant only. Hope this helps.

The instructions from ClubGP state to re-use the o-ring off the t-stat. That sounds a little fishy to me - wouldn't it be better to get a new o-ring? I mean, how much does that run, and you're not re-using a possibly degraded part.

Any thoughts out there? Before I go and do this I want the right answers.

Good point. I did get a new one when I did mine. There is a good chance the old one could be somewhat crushed or damaged (mine was deformed). They are really cheap but the only two places that I found that carry them are the dealer and Red Rooster autoparts.

Thanks for the instructions. That should help.

thermostat from anywhere, buy the o-ring seperately, you have to get the gasket form the dealer! Don't forget! Let us know how it goes, then update your sig....so we know what-all you've done to the Bon.