Changing thermostat

[Big Boy]

I have heard that changing out the thermostat is a cheap easy way to get more power

 

My question is; what about the sludge from oil not being able to get up to temp and the reduced gas mileage.  I heard about a Mustang that lost 10MPG from this one mod!

 

Any first hand experience out there?

[Shotgun]

Changing the thermostat alone will not get you power gains.If you install Hypertech power tuning and install a 160 thermostat and run the reccomended octane fuel then you will get a few more ponies under the hood.I did not loose fuel milage but prob gained a little and as far a sludge goes,If you have sludge in your engine I think a thermostat and fuel milage should be the last of your worries.....Gun

[Tucson_02Silverado]

The other point with a thermostat change is to only do it along with a computer program that understands the lower temp levels.  What happens by just putting in a cooler thermostat is that the stock computer program thinks that the engine still is not at operating temperature, so the fuel mixture stays richer than it should for normal running.  Typical problems without computer change is mileage loss and the engine doesn't run well in warm/hot weather.  Eventual is catalytic convertor and O2 sensor loss due to too rich mixture.

[CMNTMXR81]

All changing the T-stat will do for you will allow it to run cooler.  This will allow for more aggresive fuel and timing curves later if you should add such things as a Hypertech or other programmer as running cooler helps eliminate detonation.

 

As for sludge and oil not getting up to operating temp, even with a 160 degree T-stat, if driven long enough period of time, the oil will get warm sufficient enough anyway.  Keep in mind, that temp you read on your gauge is COOLANT temp.  Oil temp is different and once it starts circulating through the system it'll be fine evn if it were 100 degrees.  Circulation is more important than temp.  After all, oil you buy at the store is at room temp and it isn't sludging up.

 

Unless you go with a major power adder or do major engine work, I'd go with a 180 degree T-stat personally.  I've got cooler T-stats in everything I own (except the HD cause nothing is out yet) and have not had a problem whatsoever.  If anything, under extreme conditions, the engine simply ran cooler.