usafstud

Hi,

It seems like my thermostat broke (stuck open) during my last track day. Before completing the last track day, I installed a Koyo radiator, Mishimoto oil cooler and aluminum taped around the radiator to maximize air ducting efficiency. Stock fans. The morning of the track day, the water temp was at 180 F on the highway (80 F ambient). I didn't have any overheating issue at the track. On the way home from the track, I noticed the water temp was at 2 bars at 150 F. I read on another post that there may be air bubbles at the temp sensor. So I tried bleeding some more air hot from the front bleeder. The car was able to get up to 180 F idling on my drive way. Well, on a test drive this morning, the temp was at 130 F (~60 F ambient).

So, I'm looking to replace my thermostat and potentially my temp sensor also. What thermostat and sensor do you guys recommend? I been turning my s2000 to a track car where it will still be driven (not towed) to the track. Stock, Mishimoto, Mugen, Spoon? Stock sensor?

slowd16

OEM is fine. The others open at a cooler temp which isn't needed. You don't want to the car to run too cold or it will never get out of cold start mapping. With my Koyo I'm right under 190* peak on track, usually 184-187* with ambient ranging from 60* to 95*.

Tougefactory

OEM in this case works best for your application.

dc2-2-ap1

I recently installed a Spoon thermostat and J's fan switch. I am very happy with them. The car runs better and smoother. The decrease in temp definitely helps. The car runs very cold during the winter, so that is not the best. I usually have 2 bars during cold months and my heater is almost useless. It pumps out fairly warm air but not hot by any means. I live in AZ, so it is hot 8 months out of the year with 4 months of autumn weather (no winter). If I lived somewhere that required a jacket for part of the year, I would have stuck with oem.

usafstud

I do get hot air from my heating system

snitm

I'm really liking the mugen thermostat (opens at 165 F).

Chuck S

Gasoline engines run best around 200°F. 160° is too cool and the reason there's a thermostat to keep the engine hot, not cold. The thermostat keeps the engine hot, the radiator limits the hotness. The dashboard engine coolant gauge is fine for street use but is basically an idiot light like most cars have due the wide window of the bars. Something like this will provide the information you need.



-- Chuck