Operating temp in fahrenheght

[nando]

there's an 88c thermostat for the M42, don't know if it fits in the M20 though.

[u3b3rg33k]

I must be thinking of the aux fan thermo-switch then.

[e30Villain]

most efficient would be the hottest one. is there an 88C?

I think 80 is the hottest it goes.

[u3b3rg33k]

most efficient would be the hottest one. is there an 88C?

[e30Villain]

Yeah, you should already have an 80.

[Beije]

so if I'm using a stock m20b25 engine here in the Pacific NW (Oregon), an 80c thermostat should be most efficient?

[u3b3rg33k]

Right! all the thermostat does is to set the initial maximum temperature of the engine. If more heat is being produced than the cooling system can shed the engine will run hotter than the thermostat setting.

You mean minimum?

[jeffnhiscars]

Stock M20 tstat is 80c which is 176f.

[jlevie]

There's no reason to swap in the cold thermostat. like I said, if you are overheating, there's a problem with the cooling system. A 70c thermostat won't ultimately prevent you from overheating, but it will make the engine run less efficiently.

Right! all the thermostat does is to set the initial maximum temperature of the engine. If more heat is being produced than the cooling system can shed the engine will run hotter than the thermostat setting.

On the race car it doesn't matter what thermostat I have in the car in summer temps. The engine will reach and stabilize at 185-195F when on track.

[e30Villain]

Look...for the benefit of all, please tell us what you found/fixed.

My bad didn't mean to do that.

Thermostat was stuck closed and I had a shitty waterpump.

[dnguyen1963]

It doesn't over heat any more. It used to but I found/fixed the problem.

Look...for the benefit of all, please tell us what you found/fixed.

[e30Villain]

It doesn't over heat any more. It used to but I found/fixed the problem.

[nando]

There's no reason to swap in the cold thermostat. like I said, if you are overheating, there's a problem with the cooling system. A 70c thermostat won't ultimately prevent you from overheating, but it will make the engine run less efficiently.

[e30Villain]

Feel much better now. i was thinking of swapping out my thermostat to a 71 degree one, but seeing that winter is coming i think ill just keep the 80.

[nando]

I don't know what temperature that is but it may not be that bad. Depending on the viscosity of your oil it could just be on the lower end of the "optimal" operating temperature.

In my last track car (wasn't an e30) I would get up to 230+ at times. It's not optimal but with a different viscosity, the oil can still be within normal operating range.

At what temperature due e30's sustain gasket damage/head warping?

it's too cold, it barely reaches 70c, and that's only if I sit for a while. optimally you'd like it to run at 80c at least. engines are more efficient when they're hot.

BMW people like to put in 70c t-stats as a band-aid for overheating. if your car is going to overheat, it's not because of the t-stat..