Got feedback from Jet performance on 180 thermostat for '02 -'05 3.7 & 4.7. Jet# 10177. Available June 6,2006 at Summit Racing if interested.

 

Ok, so I don't exactly understand the purpose of a 180 degree thermostat. What does it do? How are the gains brought about, does it increase HP? Increase in MPG? It make throttle response better, I don't get it. But I hear about 180 degree therms on EVERY forum I am a part of. I just never cared to ask, cuz I never had one of the vehicles.. Now that I do, I wanna know all this.

Gah, sorry for my ignorance.

 

I took this information from another web site. I think it provides a good explaination. I changed to a 180º stat two months ago and have had no problems.

The thermostat permits proper warming of the engine from a cold startup. A slow warm up causes moisture condensation in the combustion chambers which can find it's way to the crankcase, causing sludge formation. The thermostat keeps the coolant temperatures above a specific minimum to provide proper engine combustion efficiency, extended engine life, and reduced combustion emissions. It also prevents the metal around the combustion chamber "hot spots" from overheating because it allows coolant to circulate internally within the engine before it opens. Most engines are built with a coolant bypass for this purpose either as part of the engine assembly, or externally by a hose or other component. Engines that have external bypasses are usually disabled by the thermostat once the thermostat has opened to force all coolant through the radiator. The thermostat must begin to open at a specified temperature for the application, and when fully open must permit adequate coolant flow. Typically the thermostat begins to open 3° - 4° F above or below it's temperature rating (meaning a 180° thermostat will open between 176° F and 184° F.) and will be fully opened at about 20° F above it's initial opening temperature. The thermostat must meet standards that include allowing a sufficient coolant flow when fully open, and leak no more than a specified amount when fully closed. Most current thermostats feature either a bleed notch" or a "jiggle pin" that is designed to let trapped air in the system pass through the thermostat after refilling so as to eliminate hot spots during engine warm up.

Since 1971, most domestic car manufacturers have used 192° F or 195° F thermostats as original equipment. This permits the engine to operate at a higher temperature, which allows the cooling system to operate at its best efficiency and to reduce engine emissions. On performance applications it is sometimes effective to go to a lower temperature rated thermostat so as to compensate for the added power output from the engine modifications. But, you must be very careful when using lower thermostat ratings on computer-controlled engine applications. Because the computer relies on pre-programmed variables that are calculated by engine coolant temperatures as one of the variables, using a lower temperature thermostat without corresponding modifications to computer programming can cause problems.

 

To sum it all up....

It's supposed to make the engine run cooler/at a lower temp & that (supposedly) makes more power



It won't do anything by itself.....like you're not gonna feel a difference if you drop a $10 180 degree thermostat in. It's not a go fast part and doesn't affect throttle response or performance alone.
It's only effective if you're running a lot of mods on a vehicle.

 

hey, I live in El Paso, TX where the temp right now is around 110 degrees. The gauge in my truck runs around the half mark. A little too high for my liking. Will the napa, 530080 superstat fit in my truck? Also will it make any improvement in operating temp? Any info would be appreciated. Also if you know how to install it would help.

 

It appears the 3.7 and 4.7 use the same standard oem stat. If this is the case, then the NAPA 180º Superstat #530080 will also fit the 3.7. You do need to put a notch on the edge to match the orginial stat so the gasket will fit correctly, There is a raised spot on the inside edge of the gasket that matches the notch. A good metal file works well. Use the orginial gasket or the smart and better choice get a replacement gasket from the dodge dealer. Thermostat cost $7.00. This stat will lower your operating temp.

Good luck.

PS This is not a TANK, take your time and don't force it back together. You can break the stat housing and or strip out threads if your not careful.

 

Forget the 530080. It will not fit. Jet chips has finally made available a 180 for the 3.7. Jet part# 11077. It will be available at Summit Racing on 6/4/06. The thermostat on our truck is located where the LOWER radiator hose goes into the block. If your coolant is still in good shape- it should still be-let engine cool down, drain the coolant into a clean container,remove lower hose from the thermostat housing, remove housing(2bolts) remove old thermostat.Clean old gasket material from mating surfaces. Install new gasket using non-hardening sealant. Complete installation in reverse order,replace proper amount 50-50 coolant. Run engine to operating temp to check for leaks.

 

Please explain why the 530080 will not fit. You indicated the Jet #11077 fits both the 3.7 and 4.7 in the first post. Also the installation instructions in the 05 dakota service manual for the 3.7 does not indicate the use of a sealant. Where sealant is to be used on parts specific instructions are provided in the service manual. The Old gasket is really a rubber ring that goes around the edge of the thermostat.

 

I was doing some research, and the stock stat's flange is 2.265 and the one that stant makes is 2.125. I know that is a minute difference, but they aren't really the same size.

 

For what it is worth, I just mic'd my factory orignial stat 2.126 that I took off my 05 4.7L.