92RSFivePointSlow

I dont use any thermostat at all, and the motor goes up to 180 before I turn my fan on. I want some restriction in there, it takes forever to warm up, as you could imagine, so I'm gonna put my 160* 'stat back in, but I want to drill it. Where do I drill the hole(s), how many, how big? If someone has a picture of theirs that would be great. Thanks

I've got an aluminum pump, 3 core radiator, flex fan, and 10" electric fan. I never put my A/C back on since I did the cam.

SpeedCat86

Here ya go: 3 holes, about 1/8 inch.
(it's a Robertshaw 'stat)

92RSFivePointSlow

thanks for the pic Speedcat, but I'm using a regular type thermostat made by Stant, it doesnt look like yours. But the idea is the same. Compared to where you drilled the hole in yours, where should I drill a regular one?

SpeedCat86

Most of the standard-type 'stats i've seen are drilled on the rim, about where I put the red dots on this picture. Again, about 1/8" holes.

92RSFivePointSlow

thanks man

MikeInAZ

MdFormula350

the drilling holes in the t-stat seems to be popular.

DABE

whats the "gain" of drilling it out??

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Most people running electric water pumps drill 3-4 1/8" holes in the stat so it'll relieve some of the strain on the electric pump, how much this helps in that situation I don't know, but the theory sounds good. I just did it when I rebuilt my motor cause everybody was saying to do it, gains-???

MikeInAZ

Prevents "hot pockets" from building in your engine block and will help eliminate air from the cooling system.

86TpiTransAm

yes it doesi had a small problem with my car overheating i had replaced everything and not even griffin or be-cool could figure it out. any how long story short. i drilled one hole in the stat, and it fixed the air pocket problem because normal ways wouldnt get rid of them.

brodyscamaro

i have a 160 stat that i drilled two 1/4" holes in it. warms up quick in the summer, i dont run this stat in the winter.

i like drilling holes

fast86z28

i guess drilling holes is pretty popular in the stat, i did it in mine because in the summer, my car would heat up too quick and then overheat(remember its like 120*) i drilled 3 1/8" holes around the side to just let some flow in before the stat opened, seemed to work for me, never go above 200* anymore...

86TpiTransAm

200??? Man, I start to panic when I hit 185! I like mine to run at about 170 all time. I'd like to get it to run about 130-140 all the time because that's when it runs the best but we all know that can't be accomplished in the summer time.

Kat

iTrader: (4)

I second that.

Kat

brodyscamaro

that temp (130-140) should not be where you are getting optimum performance, or the aftermarket would produce 135* stats. sounds like you need some tuning if you want optimum performance (which needs to be at a higher tmep)

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

Our cars are built to run between 195 and 220 all day long and not have problems. I used to freak out too when it hit 200....but not anymore. Just remember you're getting your best mpg at about 195-200.

Jworking

Drilling holes will keep the water on each side of the thermostat the same temp and keep it from opening and slaming back shut again. This save wear and tear on the radiator. Many makes, Olds, Ford and others (LS1 GM) and others have t-stat bypass systems. I do lots of cooling system work and I recomend it... highly..

burnoutrpm

"Our cars are built to run..."

That line is the biggest load of BS I've heard ... and I've heard it multiple times. You see, GM built our cars to run 195-200 all day long. That's STOCK! I no longer have a stock car. MY car is built differently than what GM originally built and therefore you cannot use the line "Our cars are built to run...". That's like saying "Our cars were built to run on 91 octane gas". Maybe from the factory but you try telling that to somebody that's not running the same compression as they were stock. It's all about how you build it.

And for the skeptics out there ... take your car to a real dyno and see if it makes more power at 120 degrees or 220 degrees. I think you'll be suprised.

Let's not forget... viscosity and HEAT break down oil, the protector of your rings and bearings. Keep running your engine at 200 degrees and I'll stick with my cooler, better protected engine.

llvll4l2c91350

I agree. Heat is the enemy of engines and transmissions. The only reason why our cars were designed with a high temp stat was to cut down on emissons. When I used to open the hood after a drive on my previous Formula it felt like an oven cuz it had the stock stat. With the 160 stat I have on now I can leave my hand on the upper radiator hose without getting burned. Plus I have a manual fan switch installed. It's pretty safe to say that an engine constantly running at 200* will wear out faster than an engine running at lower temps.

patrickm00

since i swapped my 195° for a 180°, i no longer have the near-overheat problems when i idle in traffic in the summer with the a/c on (which btw makes the a/c perform like crap). my gas mileage hasn't changed any, except maybe 1/2 mpg worse in the winter than normal (~16-17 around town, last winter was like 17-18 ish, though i have a new engine still with 10W40 in it for another month). one other thing i noticed- not only does it keep the engine a bit cooler, which prob protects it a bit better, it also keeps the alternator 15° cooler, which not only improves its efficiency, but also its lifespan. heat is the enemy of any part with lots of inherent resistance or friction, especially if it's electrical.