In doing a lot of reading over the past several months I came across some info that surprised me that I thought would be good to share with the community regarding lower temperature thermostats. There are tons of brands - even some reputable ones - selling thermostats for the engine cooling system that purport to enhance cooling by opening the thermostat at a lower temperature than the stock units. This will make the car run cooler, right? NO! All it does is regulate the temperature where the thermostat opens. This will cause the system to flow coolant through the radiator sooner than a stock one. This causes the car to take longer to warm up (particularly if it's cool outside or on a short trip), it doesn't affect operation temperature at all. Longer warm up times cause more engine wear, not less. The bottom line is that adjusting the fans to kick on at a lower temperature or installing a more efficient radiator is the way to better engine cooling, not a lower temp thermostat.

Low Temp Thermostats: What’s the Advantage? | Tuner University

 

On that note, I don't see many people doing cooling upgrades. I've heard great things about the CSF radiator, that might be one of my next upgrades.

 

If you are not FI or tracking your car in hot temperatures, why do you think you'd need it? Have you ever overheated at all? I have a CSF that's been sitting in my garage for almost a year. IMO there's no point installing it until I install the elusive twin turbo that I'm waiting for.

Outside of long track sessions or extreme ambient temperatures (like the Middle East guys) I've not heard of our cooling systems overheating under normal running conditions.

 

I tracked the car a few weeks ago at TWS, definitely hooked.

 

Cool. Did you data log? If you have info on how temperatures changed throughout the sessions you'll be able to better assess what cooling mods you really need, if any. How many sessions, how lone were they, and how long between sessions? It's not that hot here yet but info from track guys about how the car responds is great for everyone to be able to know what mods work and what don't.

 

I hesitate to really call it "data logging". I used an OBD II reader + the dash command app to log the various inputs that reads.

It was (luckily) fairly cool, it only ever got up to around 80. ChinMotorsports is a pretty good track host from what I hear, you track from 30-45 minutes a session, then rest the car for an hour. They teach you to check your gauges on the straights to ensure everything is good, and insist you do a full checkup of all fluids and components between sessions. All in, probably 3.5 hours of track time over two days.

You're absolutely right about trial and error with the tracking and components. One of the first shortcomings I noticed was an inability to brake as hard as I wanted before the turn in. I have remedied that with slotted rotors, motul fluid, stainless lines, and a dedicated set of track pads. An oil cooler is my only cooling mod so far, I didn't notice my temps out of the ordinary.

 

Hi,

I'm a new owner of a 6MT g37 sedan and I'm planning to mod the car with bolts-on while also keeping it in a good shape. It's still bone stock though but reading before attempting to do anything is always the best thing to do

As I was researching oil cooler kits and trying to find a good one to buy, I came a cross this thread which I see very informative regarding this important upgrade.
See, I'm from Middle Ease and the ambient temperature in the summer season most of the times gets around 105-126 range "and even more". In other words, it's a FREKIN oven over here and you can see some "glares" on top of the cars in traffic at noon time due to the very hot weather.

My questions is that, will it hurt to use an oil cooler as a daily drive car that I street drag sometimes?
I also want to get the CSF Radiator for better cooling to extend the life of the engine.

Side note: I'm gonna use synthetic oil if that's gonna make any difference.

Thanks

 

Speaking of that elusive twin turbo.... You still gonna wait or go another route? I am thinking of boosting myself due to Nitrous being really expensive in Hawaii. I believe the one and only shop that sales it here is getting a lot of flack from the state.

 

No, It will NOT hurt at all. In contrary it will help you a lot!
You can always get oil coolers for both tranny and engine along with an after market radiator..

As for synthetic oil .. I use Castrol Magnetic 10w40 myself, i'm 4.1 stroked, high compression NA built, live in GCC too with no issues but kinda wanna swap it for fully synthetic oil .. If i have access for RedLine products i wud of gotten them with no single hesitation .

BB: thx for sharing this .. Been always skeptical about these lil things!

 

Running my car with no thermostat

Too hot to need one around here

 

While most of that information is sort of accurate, the ability to tune your car takes advantage of the lower temp TS. Being able to control your cooling fan speeds combined with the TS will allow the car to regulate temperature to aid the new lower temp.

 

The oil cooler and upgraded radiator are a great idea in an environment as hot as yours even for a daily driver. Don't street drag, take it to a track.

Likely not going to add any FI at this point. Mileage is now higher and it seems that the system I'd been waiting on isn't likely to ever become a reality.

 

Anyone use Redline Water Wetter? Also using straight water with no antifreeze? Read that only reason most use antifreeze is for corrosion reason.

 

Thanks for clearing this up. Thats what I thought. Reading the OP and how true the concept is got me thinking if there is any chance this gonna hurt my car in anyway with the this kind of weather. Glad that I asked.

If you running it w/o a thermostat, guess I'm in for that too XD. Weather around here is almost as same as yours Sam.

Good to hear that. This means that I'm gonna keep reasearching and get the best stuff there is..I hope

As for dragging & tracking, I will try to do that though Street dragging is very addictive IMO lol.

Thanks a lot BB.

 

Straight water is probably not a great idea, but I run about 20-25% coolant and fill with distilled water. It seldom ever freezes at all here and on the rare occasions that it does it isn't a hard or prolonged freeze and 20% is plenty of protection from freezing and corrosion. I use Water Wetter as well. Never any issues so far.