T Stat question

mauiSRT/10

mauiSRT/10

New Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
7,233
Reaction score
1
Location
In a house surrounded by palm trees
I installed my 170` t stat yesterday with a friends help. Install went just as expected.......very straightforward and yes the hidden bolt sucked!!!

After driving around for about 40 miles I noticed the temp would range from 160 to a highest of about 180. Now I think this is great, actually fantastic, because before it would run at 200` all the time. Now my question is, why wouldnt DC set it up this way in the first place? Emissions?

I can definatly tell the difference in the lack of serious heat coming out of the engine now after I park my truck in the garage!!! Its a big difference. Usually when my truck is hot, it'll heat up my garage............it did not last night.:)


Also, dont you guys love how simple oil changes are in this truck? I love how the filter is so accessable.

Anybody change their rear diff fluid before? I gotta do mine sometime in the next 1k miles. Got any tips?

patrick
 
right on patrick....yeah the stat really helps in that it takes the truck much longer to reach full operating temperature. great for long staging lines at the track! I don't know why DC wouldn't set it up that way....I have heard of many other flashes or chips for different cars and almost always if its a stage 2 they recommend a cooler t stat.

I haven't done an oil change yet. what type / part number of a filter do you use and how many quarts of oil did it take?

I have changed my diff fluid. super simple really no secret there! I also did the tranny fluid and the fill plug is kinda tricky to get to.....i ended up using an old lucus diff lube bottle with a clear flexy hose on the end to get up and in there and just squeeze the fluid in there.

shaka bro!
 
Hidden bolt

Patrick ??

I am getting my dc stage 2 and t-stat on tuesday...Started to scout out the job today....Found that the hidden bolt was 1/2 not 7/16 like the others...Do I have it wrong ?...The 1/2 socket went right on...Also is there any trick to the covers on the pcm plugs ?

Thanks as always Bill !
 
Not sure what size the bolts are.....................shit I just kept grabbing sockets till one fit....11mm maybe?. You just have to be patient and yes when re installing, start with the bitch bolt first!!!!

The pcm plugs........you have to pull back the clip part first. When you get it right, it will click. I think there is two per plug. Its really simple. Also take out the bottom screw first, then the top two when pulling out the stock pcm. Dont forget to disconnect battery first as well.

I did install the pcm last weekend then waited till yesterday to do the t stat. You will notice your fan comes on at about 180`...........its quite loud too.

patrick
 
Rice Eater said:
right on patrick....yeah the stat really helps in that it takes the truck much longer to reach full operating temperature. great for long staging lines at the track! I don't know why DC wouldn't set it up that way....I have heard of many other flashes or chips for different cars and almost always if its a stage 2 they recommend a cooler t stat.

I haven't done an oil change yet. what type / part number of a filter do you use and how many quarts of oil did it take?

I have changed my diff fluid. super simple really no secret there! I also did the tranny fluid and the fill plug is kinda tricky to get to.....i ended up using an old lucus diff lube bottle with a clear flexy hose on the end to get up and in there and just squeeze the fluid in there.

shaka bro!
Click to expand...

I used whats on the oil cap............mobil one 10w30 I think? I just used the mopar filter from the dealer. Easiest oil change ever. Jacked up the passenger side, slid a jackstand under the frame, and everything is right there.

Thanks for the tips...........gotta do the tranny and diff soon.

patrick
 
I had a Chevy Silverado with the 6.0L engine and I was considering changing to a 160 thermostat. Over on Performance trucks the concensus was that installing a 160 would definitely lower the operating temps resulting in increased HP but actually how much of an increase in HP who knows as the 6.0L engine is not as heat sensitive as the V-10. With that being said...everyone also said it would result in lower MPG because when the operating temp is lower the engine is not as efficient meaning if it is too cool some unburnt fuel goes out the exhaust unspent. One example always tossed about was how NASCAR stock cars today usually run temps around 235 which helps there MPG which is key in stock car racing these days. I went ahead and changed my 6.0L engine to a 160 thermostat and it did feel more crisp when it was cool out because it would run around 185 temp instead of 205. After I ran four tanks full of fuel thru the truck with the new 160 thermostat my MPG dropped 1 MPG in city and highway. That was not a concern for me so I left it in the truck. Large OEM auto manufacturers have to follow government mandated CAFE average MPG standards that increase every year. So they it look at it from the standpoint of a 1-2 MPG increase over thousands and thousands of vehicles makes an impact for the CAFE standards because if they don't increase the CAFE standards every year they potentially have to pay hundreds of thousands in fines which hurts profitability. Most of us that buy these trucks are not worried about MPG so go ahead and make the change and hopefully you will see some HP increases. After you change the thermostat it would be interesting to see if you measure the MPG if it actually drops because it did on my old Chevy 6.0 engine. I plan on changing my thermostat out on my SRT10 QC because here in Texas it is painfully hot in the summer.

Thanks!
 
Mine has actually done the opposite. I installed a 170 degree about a month ago and the truck ran at 170 most of the time. I put the flashed pcm in yesterday and now its running at 200 all the time. I didnt have much trouble with this Hidden bolt. Take the intake hose off and its much easier to get to. Used a quarter inch torx drive with extension and it came right out. I was having a hell of a time until I decided to remove the intake hose. They arent very tight and make sure you dont over tighten them when they go back in. The PCM was simple to install, the bottom screw is almost impossible to get to with a socket so I just used a ratchet wrench. Good idea to lable the plugs the top and bottom are the same color while the middle is white. My oil change was smooth and I used Mobile 0w30. Ill get you an update on the MPG when this tank is gone. I filled up yesterday and normally get about 247 miles per tank. I may just be a case of heavy foot after the flashed PCM that changes the MPG.

Chris
 
Thats weird that your running at 200 with a flashed pcm and a 170` t stat. I dont understand that at all.

Is your fan coming on at 180 or so? The pcm should do that.

As far as the hidden bolt....I noticed that it looked like it would be easier if I removed the intake tube.....I just didnt want to......to much extra work.

patrick
 
I thought the same thing and then realized after I busted my knuckles that pulling one hose and taking off the ratchet clip was much less hassle. I actually took the bolt off with the hose still on and said to myself just take that damb hose off and be done with it. I havent checked to see when the fan is coming on, Ill do that today. I orginally thought the temp was due to my heavy foot trying out the new PCM. I did notice today that the only time it dropped below 200 was when it was raining.

Chris.
 
Last edited:
sirhc76 said:
I thought the same thing and then realized after I busted my knuckles that pulling one hose and taking off the ratchet clip was much less hassle. I actually took the bolt off with the hose still on and said to myself just take that damb hose off and be done with it.

Chris.
Click to expand...


LOL

I had a buddy helping me, so the tight ass hose came off easier than if I had been doing it alone. I am no mechanic at all........most of this stuff intimidates me, but my buddy is quite good.

patrick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Support Us

Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Random Media

waxed srt 015
Venomous1- Waco, TX
waxed srt 021
Lowered , and caltrak bars
Back
Top