Hello,
I was reading a bunch of threads on thermostats. Stock vs. 180* and so on. Got me to wondering...I now have my CAI done and am going to get my home made ram air system set up in the next couple of days + my cherrybomb muffler and y-pipe are on the way. Some of you guys said with these mods that the engine may run a bit lean and that it was a good idea to go to a 180* thermostat. Wadda y'all think about that...a good idea, especially with the ram air deal? Will eventually be getting a superchips. Kinda want your opinions on this stat thing. And yes, now that I know how to post pics, I will do so! I just ain't so tech oriented. My son showed me how. HA!
Thank you!!

 

A Ram Air setup wont make you run lean, the computer will compensate for it. In fact it will actually do the opposite and cause you to run richer (faster, colder air flowing in than a normal CAI or stock box), my vararam is the same way. If you go with headers, or you are monitoring the trucks stats and seeing a lot of STKR (knock) or you are camming it, then I say go for the 180* Stat other wise its not nessasary wont give you any power increases or mpg boosts, it'll just make you run a little cooler and a little richer.

Now if you do decide on getting one, depending on climate you live in, you can play a little with them. If you live in a hot climate that is hot 90% of the year (as is the case here in AZ) you can possibly get away with running as low as a 170* T-Stat, if you are in a cold climate then 180-190 is about where you want to stay or you will get CEL's and error codes.

With all that said though, I have a 180* in mine. On hot (115*+) days, sitting in traffic, my operating temps still hit the 210* range with ease, it will cool back down to 185* or so while moving and stay nice and cool while driving but once stopped that temp starts to climb. Most wont notice though unless you can sit there and monitor it, and my gauge allowes me to do just that.

 

You won't need it nor should probably get a 180* until after you get the tuner IF you plan on running a performance tune. The SC Perf tune does advance timing a good bit and combined with "breathing" mods, will have you slightly on the lean side.

As far as the CAI goes, it'll pull more air, but if it's pulling HOT air from inside the engine bay, yeah, it'll lean you out a tad, not much. If it's a TRUE CAI, like the Vararam and get's it's air from outside the vehicle, then yeah, that'll tend to make the mix slightly richer.

Hot air in = less power, greater fuel economy, leaner mix. Cold air in = more power, lower fuel economy, richer mix. But as Truckin' says, these differences aren't as much as they were in the old, carb days. The PCM will attempt to correct for anything outside of it's pre-programmed "range", so the differences are minimal...

 

You guys answered my question big time! I'll stay with the stock thermostat. On a side note...I got my y-pipe and muffler today!! Lookin' forward to maybe getting in installed next week one day. YA!!
THANKS!!