In paragraph 9 of subsection c on page 2192 (j/k)....... but where you talk about the new Caliber using two thermostats "one to feed lots of cooler coolant flow to the cylinder heads so that pinging will be reduced and an MPG improving higher compression
ratio can be used"- this is exactly where you benefit from a 180* thermostat. If you have a Magnum engine with the stock intake and a pcv valve, you DO have carbon build up in your cylinders- in some cases (as was mine) severe carbon build-up. This in turn raises the compression which in turn leads to more heat. A 180* thermostat will help counter this. On a brand new engine, or on one that has been broken down and thoroughly cleaned, the 195* probably makes for a more efficient motor.

 

I read most of that.....(Hanks post - I mean novel, LOL) but I have to disagree with some of it. In my case, the 180 tstat was the last mod I did. (see list in sig) The truck has really "woke up" since the install. My mileage has averaged 13.8 to 14.1 highway and 12.8 to 13 city. I NEVER saw anything like those numbers before the tstat install. Usually got 11.6-12.3 city and 13 highway. I calculate my mileage every time I fill up - at least once a week - so these numbers are reliable and cover about 6 or 8 fillups. Butt Dyno tells me the tstat helped also. I have never had a ping problem - before or after the Hypertech and the 180 tstat install.......

 

I usually make it down to the piston top section.

 

I am getting similar mileage to what you USED to get.

I hope to get the same results you did as I add similar mods.

The 180 degree stat was one I was considering... since I have a 1996 and do not plan on messing with the ECM at all.... would it be worth it?

 

It cost me $6.99 for the NAPA Premium 180 thermostat. Took me about an hour to install it. Used about 1/2 gallon of Prestone 50/50 antifreeze mix to refill after draining the top hose. ($4) So $11 and an hour of my time to do it. I'd say - GIT ER DUN! I think it makes more difference if you have a Hypertech programmer or similar - but for $11 it would pay for itsself pretty quick when gas is $2.69/gal.........

 

Also if not using a trans. cooler, the drop in trans temp is a bonus.

 

Yeah, forgot about that. Another reason to GIT ER DUN!

 

Ihave installed the 180 deg. thermostat at the same time i replaced the pentium plate and gasket (from Huge). There is a grate difference in engine temp along with some MPG gain. But you will have to deal with the dam CHECK ENGINE light due to the engine not getting up to normal opperating temp. Is there a way around this? because i have since switched back to stock, ihatethat light.

 

the way is still open
for some good Ram pickup experimenter
to create a mod
that holds coolant temperature at 240 degrees
for better MPG at highway cruise
and 140 degrees to reduce pinging at full throttle

how many pages
do you think a typical
Dodge engine development employee
has to read in a typical month?

even the guys running the dynos at CTC
claim they read dozens of pages per day
and that is not counting the pages of stuff they have to write
about what they found out about the engines that day

someone writes a 3 page
'Reader's Digest version'
of 100 pages of thermostat research
and it is nothing by whine, whine, whine

want whine with your cheese?
join the UNC-Chapel Hill basketball fans

 

Hank,

I think I actually enjoyed you having an emotional response to that post.