why do people run no thermostat?

Thread in 'Technical Questions' started by s14-jay, Aug 26, 2011.

  1. s14-jay

    s14-jay Active Member

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    When drifting cars, ive heard of a few people running no thermostat.. why is this ? does it actualy do the car any favours other than make it take 10x as long to warm up?
     
  2. GB / John

    GB / John NDC Runner Up 2012

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    Does it not mean its constantly being cooled that way?
    Only cools when thermostat is open otherwise.
     
  3. Polo

    Polo Sr20 parts man!

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    Some engines are ok with out one, others arnt. I never ran a stat in my SR, purley to keep the water flowing full chat with no restriction. (stat is the bigest restriction in any cooling system even when fully open)

    In the likes of JZ engines, a stat is needed as its a multi purpous stat and closes off major water ways when open and closed. (bypass valve) In my JZ iv drilled a few holes to aid flow, or there are a few other things you can do to not run a stat on a JZ.

    In drifting typicly you dont have alot of air flow throgh the rad, so passing lots of water throgh it at a medioker temp is better than flowing hotter water throgh it slower.
     
  4. 4_Stroke

    4_Stroke Member

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    The thermostat does restrict water flow even when open. Without a stat you can get more water throuth the rad quickly. Probably a good thing with air flow issue.
     
  5. Clive

    Clive Active Member

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    Is your car a trailer queen?





    If not; 100% keep it in there!! Engine will run too cold on normal driving...
     
  6. Doz_SR20

    Doz_SR20 Member

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    I had a primera with an sr in it, bought it one summer with a fooked stat (allways open) was ok during the summer, but as soon as it got colder I had to drive around with no heaters on to get it up to temp. Was a rite pain in the arse.
     
  7. Cowpatmatt

    Cowpatmatt Active Member

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    you can get a nismo themostat as they open at a lower temp but the main reason for getting one is that it flows alot more than a standard themostat.
    Down side is that it costs about £50 ish, maybe there is another brand thats the same but doesnt say nismo on it to save a few quid.
     
  8. JohnJ

    JohnJ Active Member

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    Mallory was getting my SR hot even with the big ally rad. Took the thermostat out and now it's fine. It's one of those things you should do once you have a need for it.

    As Polo said above and I tell drivers at every briefing, your engine is working a lot harder relative to the airflow than it was ever intended to. (Depending on your driving!:wack:)
     
  9. superclarkey

    superclarkey DORITECH MOTORSPORT

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    Water pump doesn't work without thermostat to pressurise the system, you get hit spots and it doesn't flow into the head correctly, without a thermostat I measured almost 3psi, with a thermostat nearly 15psi pressure.

    You should never remove a thermostat it will say it's cold but thats because you've lost direction flow around the engine.

    Regardless of if you've done it and got away with it blah, if your reading this, don't do it, sort your cooling system out...
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. JohnJ

    JohnJ Active Member

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    That'll do for me, It's going back in!
     
  11. JohnJ

    JohnJ Active Member

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    My sender for the temp gauge is in the top hose. It was creeping towards 110 indicated. At Mallory, it usually stays at just under 100. That's when I took the thermostat out. The stock temp gauge doesn't move from halfway. I run it on 50/50 red antifreeze and water. I'm on just under 400 horse with a 2871r. Using the viscous fan on a big ally rad with a good cowling. What do you do to cool those big power SRs then?
     
  12. superclarkey

    superclarkey DORITECH MOTORSPORT

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    What oil cooler are you running, bearing inmind an S14 engine has water to oil cooler as standard :)

    Who mapped the car ??

    Is the rad a cheap ebay special or a proper Koyo N-flow ?
     
  13. JohnJ

    JohnJ Active Member

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    Mapped by Greg, rad is in between Koyo and ebay, made in this country. Can't remember make but easy to find out. No oil cooler. Guessing that's next?
     
    #13 JohnJ, Aug 27, 2011
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2011
  14. superclarkey

    superclarkey DORITECH MOTORSPORT

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    Yes, oil cooler will be mostly your problem, what the oil can't loose the water takes up.. water being a thinner viscosity will collect heat at a quicker rate then oil.

    Get a nice big oil cooler and i bet your temps will drop, I bet your oil smells a little burnt when you swap it out, unless your using really good stuff that is :thumbs:
     
  15. JohnJ

    JohnJ Active Member

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    Cheers, yeah it does and I'm on Mobil 1 motorsport.

    Off shopping then!
     
  16. superclarkey

    superclarkey DORITECH MOTORSPORT

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    I always search ebay for a cheap truck oil cooler :) normally like trust type ones which have great flow and great cooling, just tig a few dash fittings on and you've got gangster cooler :) (cheap)

    Make sure to buy a thermostatic plate from Driftworks :thumbs:
     
  17. s14-jay

    s14-jay Active Member

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    cheers guys!!

    im putting a 1jz engine in at the moment and didnt know whether to add a thermostat to my list!! ok i can see the reason people believe its better as water can flow through dead fast, but i also see the point that with no pressure the circulation wont flow round leaving areas getting hotter that they should. But will get a thermostat then :)

    Jay
     
  18. JohnJ

    JohnJ Active Member

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    Another job to do!

    Cheers. :)
     
  19. stephnsons

    stephnsons New Member

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    Very informative thread.
     

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