.boB
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2005
00:59:55
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 Subject: Thermostat Experiance
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Message:
Lots of talk about changing the thermostat to 180* for more power. I've seen no evidence that it will or won't, still waiting for that.
I drive an '01 QC, 5.9, 4x4, 3.92. A couple of years ago I switched to a 180* thermostat. Truck ran like crap and got worse fuel mileage, so I put the stock one back in. Truck ran great again.
Then I reprogrammed the computer with a Hypertech, set to 89 octane (medium level). Truck runs great, that was a huge improvement. However, with the timing advance, I would get some pinging, especially when towing. When I planned to do any towing, I would put some premium, and that helped a lot. But if I was near WOT - like a freeway onramp - it would still ping.
So I wanted to decrease cylinder head temps, hoping that would eliminate some hot spots and eliminate the pinging. So I switched back to the 180* thermostat (with the hole drilled in the plate) and added a bottle of Water Wetter. With the Hypertech, the truck runs just fine at a lower temp. More power? Don't think so. If there is, it's certainly not enough for me to notice on the butt-O-meter. Better fuel mileage? Havn't seen it. So in general driving, no noticable change one way or the other.
Yesterday I towed a light trailer (1500#) from Colorado Springs to Denver and back. Air temps in the mid to high 70's, bright sun shine, max altitude about 7400'. I had the A/C on most of the way. Mid grade fuel only, no premium. Took a few on ramps at WOT, went up monument hill in OD as fast as possible without a downshift. Yes, I beat it hard.
No detonation. As hard as I beat on it, didn't hear it ping once. Ran like a champ. Next week I'll be towing about 4,000#, we'll see how it does then.
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