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Thermostat upgrade

Discussion in 'Performance and Tuning' started by kidthatsirish, Feb 1, 2008.

  1. Feb 1, 2008 at 8:32 PM
    #1
    kidthatsirish

    kidthatsirish [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just a question....

    On some vehicles it has been shown that you can gain some horsepower by using a lower temp thermostat than normal (makes the engine think its cooler than it should be and makes it run richer).

    I have seen it work on some vehicles, I just wonder if it would work on a tacoma or if anyone has ever tried it.
     
  2. Feb 1, 2008 at 8:50 PM
    #2
    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

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    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
    not sure...i had a 180* thermostat instead of the 210* stock one and it ran better....not sure about the taco
     
  3. Feb 4, 2008 at 11:31 PM
    #3
    Leer

    Leer Well-Known Member

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    running a lower t-stat is more for heat soak than making the engine run richer. Engines will always run more efficient in a higher heat range, but will have more actual power with a slightly lower heat range.

    Have you ever notice that sometimes when you are in stop and go traffic, your car seems like it has lost some power, and with that, have you ever noticed thate when you first start you car up (espicially in the mornings) and drive it, it feel like it has more power than normal?

    This is due to heat-soak. All engines suffer from it, some just more than others. I know it really affects v-8's, but this is my first experience with a toyota v-6 so I can't tell you how much of a difference you will feel.
     
  4. Feb 5, 2008 at 12:17 AM
    #4
    TSUNAMI*22

    TSUNAMI*22 Obama can suck-it

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    As long as it doesn't screw up the ECU I'd run a lower t-stat. Heat is the enemy of engines. Especially the oil.

    There's an optimum heat range that engines like. Too much heat and you'll get preignition and detonation. Basically that's like taking a sledge hammer and hitting the top of your piston on every stroke.

    Rich mixture is good for start-ups, but not for normal operation. It just wastes fuel and creates a lot of carbon depositing.

    Leaner is bad at start-ups but better during normal and high altitude operations.

    Tacoma's, from what I've read, are rich overall and could stand some leaning to gain horsepower (better fuel/air ratio). Unfortunately, a really lean burning engine creates more heat as well, so a lower t-stat would help (maybe).

    Richening the mixture actually cools the combustion process and reduces horsepower unless you match the increased fuel weight by also increasing the air volume during the intake.

    Rich=cool burn
    lean=hot burn
    too lean=bad news=motor go big bada boom.
     
  5. Feb 5, 2008 at 7:22 AM
    #5
    nd

    nd Radical Town. It's a hell of a place!

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    Good observation, that makes sense. If i ever get a MAFC i'll look into getting a low temp tstat to compensate.
     

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