Topic: Air Injection Gear---GONE!
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Wow, guys! That was heavy. I think I need to get a new PROM for my ECM since I dropped in a lower thermostat and improved the cooling system. I am not seeing any "Check Engine" lights on the dash, but it could be staying in or close to warm-up (rich mixture), especially in cold weather.
I am also thinking of adding a set of those dual-tip exhaust pipes. They look pretty good, but I was wondering if anyone can tell me how loud they are. They clearly have less baffling than stock mufflers. They look like glass packs at best. I don't want the neighbors to resent me for my early morning rides to church. I am also not interested in high interior noise, or attracting negative attention on the road.
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Lifetime MemberFinding a prom that will work with a lower thermostat is going to be difficult. And why would you want to? Just put the correct thermostat back in, and use it.
kstyer 2008-01-19 14:53:41
The car will not run as well at a cooler temp. It is designed for the 195 temp range to keep everything burning in the cylinder properly. And if the engine is running at 200, a 160 stat for example, will not make it run cooler. THe thermostat is the MINIMUM temp. Once it opens, anything above that will stay the same. If it's running at 200 with a 195 stat, it will still run at 200 with a 160 stat.
And you will get better mileage and response at the warmer temp. Running cooler will stop the cat converter and O2 from working correctly, you will operate in Open Loop with less fuel control, and poorer mileage.
Stick with the 195. You will get better results with a computer controlled engine.
Just as a side note. If the engine is running cooler with the lower stat, you could be hurting yourself. At the cooler temp, the engine does not tend to evaporate the acids and moisture in the crankcase as well. Then the PCV cannot purge these contaminats from the engine, resulting in the need for more frequent oil changes, and more harmfull chemicals circulating around in the engine. Not a good thing.
I not sure why so many people believe that an engine running below 180 is a good thing. But common belief is not always accurate fact.
Boy you hit the nail on the head with people thinking that thier engine should run as cool as possible. Try telling them thier wrong 
. On other forums (Corvette) everyday there's another post about getting the temp. down to 165 or so. It's like an Old Wife's Tale.
. On other forums (Corvette) everyday there's another post about getting the temp. down to 165 or so. It's like an Old Wife's Tale.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
OK, guys...I am thouroughly chastised now. I guess I got carried away with the whole "cooler" thing because I was having such difficulties with over heating. I was getting detonation and boil-over, plus the A/C just could not operate with so much heat already present under the hood. It seemed to me that the design of the C-3 made it hot, and I was excited to have success at taming the heat beast. I had a Camaro that actually got vapor lock from overheating, so I've been an opponent of heat ever since, believing that it takes years off of an engine, and that it takes a more sophisticated ECM than the 82's to manage higher heat ranges that are engineered into newer engines to make the most CAFE.
BTW, I've seen a high performance PROM offered at Eckler's that is made to work exclusively with a 160-degree thermostat.
Also, I understood that the 160 was merely the point at which coolant would begin to circulate through the radiator, not the max temp. The max temp is under the control of the thermostat with the fan kit. It comes on at 190 and allows the fans to cool the engine back down to 170. The temp has not exceeded 190 since I got the fan kit. I get the concept of better fuel efficiency at 195, but I thought that the engine would still be hot enough, just not prone to overheating.
I just get all caught up in my own ideas and run with it sometimes. (See my newest youtube vids at www.youtube.com/stanhamrick to see what I mean about my own ideas.) The engine currently runs better than ever, but that's compared to the perfromance I had with a 25 year old cooling system, clogged radiator fins, a failing pump, etc.
If I pop a 195 thermostat back in, I'll have to get a higher fan thermostat as well. Then I will be pushing the temps that gave me so much trouble. I'm going to do more research, asking some guys questions based on your responses. It doesn't feel like I've hurt the Vette (I change the oil whenever it starts to get dark, not mileage-based, and it appears to not break down so quickly now). Thanks for the info.
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)