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Old 07-13-2009, 07:04 AM   #22
blue2000s
Porscheectomy
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 3,011
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA
Simple, actually, the stat controls the minimum engine temp as well as at what temp the cooling system has full flow (stats open gradually in response to temp, not all at once). The LN stat is at full flow in the low 170’s, while the OEM unit does not see full flow until nearly 210 in most cars. As the result, a car with the OEM stat will run (steady state cruise on a 72-74F ambient day) about 210-215. The same car (and day) with the LN stat, the car cruises at 177-179F coolant, and the oil temp dropped over 20F as well. Tiptronic equipped cars also saw a concomitant drop in their ATF temps as well. Because higher engine operating temps are focused on emissions, not performance; lowering the operational temps improves volumetric efficiencies, not unlike using a cold air intake to improve charge density. A cooler engine also allows the DME to use more timing advance without detonation issues; which is an additional benefit to those running remapped DME’s. On Charles Navarro’s otherwise stock base (Tiptronic) Boxster, changing the thermostat from the OEM to the 160 netted an increase of 5 HP and about 4 Lb Ft. of torque at the wheels during back to back dyno runs using 93 octane fuel………volumetric efficiency does matter
I appreciate the explanation. It's interesting info.

- Are there UOA results for both the standard and low temp t-stat for comparison?

- What your explaining on the t-stat operation is that the engine won't run hotter than the fully opening temperature during cruising, which is essentially steady state at 72-74F. Keeping everything else equal, the water temp should go up linearly with air temp, so at 84F, the water will be 10F hotter, right? What temperature do the fans come on? Does the car run at a temperature independent of the t-stat at non-steady state like at an autocross or mountain road driving?

I definitely am not in this for a p*ssing contest, just to understand what's going on. I was an SAE member as well when I had my papers published there in in-cylinder flow simulation. I'm haven't been working in the auto industry for about 10 years so the membership expired a long time ago.
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