Hey everyone, I want to cool my 88GT's engine better, and these are my choices:

1.) Rodney Dickman's 200-degree fan switch with a Stant 180-degree thermostat.

2.) The Fiero Store's Hypertech 176-degree fan switch with a 160-degree thermostat.

So, obviously the lower-temp combination sounds more appealing, but will that be a low enough temperature to put the engine into open loop (warmup) mode? Anyone know? Thanks!

-Ben

Since I do a lot of city driving I use a stant 180 degree thermostat, once outside temps consistantly hit 80 degrees. It seems to really help keep the engine cool in hotter temps. While opening at a lower temp, the 180 degree 'stat also has a higher flow rate. I use 195 degree stat through the rest of the year.
On top of chaning my thermostat, I have also installed a manual fan switch. Whenever engine temps start to get high, I just flip the switch and let the fan cool it down until the temps are back to normal. Takes 5 minutes to install the switch.

From all the info I have read it appears that the 160 degree stat requires a ROM change as well to keep the engine from running in open loop mode. I run a 180 stat all the time (here in California, it doesn't take long to warm up) and have the stock fan switch. All I typically do is city stop and go driving and have not had the fan come on since my rebuild 500 miles ago.

I am also using Mobil I synthetic oil which may help as well.

I doubt the radiator can pull the coolant down to 160 anyway. Also, not enough impurities get boiled off the oil at 160. It's too cold (if the engine coolant will really get that low).

Go with a 180.

Terry

Part of the reason our cars are running hotter than the engineers wanted them to is because of the 12-16 years' worth of deposits in the cooling system. I would recommend a good coolant system cleaning with distilled water. I used the Prestone Super Cleaner (~$5), rinsed with distilled water, and then refilled with distilled water and new coolant. That dropped my normal cruising temp by about 20-30 degrees F!

I would try that before making any changes to the way it operates.

Good luck,
Joe Furedy

You can use the 180 with the 176 temp switch as well. You won't need to worry about the ECM with that.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 05-09-2000).]