You can accomplish the same effect by drilling a small hole or two in the thermostat. It'll take your car longer to warm up though, obviously.

 

running an engine cold is the silent killer. stick to the undrilled stocker or the regular stant.

 

I did this and I couldn't be more disappointed with the results .

The car takes forever to get into the right temp and then temps go too high very fast.

 

From looking at the FSM, again this is for the EDM/JDM 4WD protege, it seems it is OE for the turbo model and cars sold in colder climates. Although on mazdacomp I only see one part number for the thermostat. Both the Miata and Protege use the same part number. Wish I could remember what mine looked like when I bought a replacement several years ago, but I don't think it had the subvalve.

 

8AK1-15-171-9U is the part number they ship me when I ask for the OEM thermostat for any NA. It has the two stage set-up.

 

Pic!!!!

 

Sorry olderguy; who's "they" in this case?

Thanks

 

Jake Sweeney Auto Parts(Chevy and Mazda Dealer in Ohio)

sweeneyparts@fuse.net

But I would assume anyone supplying OEM parts would do the same.

 

Thanks. Let me surprise you. I've never bought a part from an OEM parts supplier and I've had my car for close to 2 years now!

 

♫ "Jake says 'Get better deals at Jake Sweeney Chevrolet'" ♫

Dammit. It's been nearly four years since I left Cincinnati, and now I've got that damn jungle stuck in my head again...

 

 

I'd love to see a pic of that in some boiling water. In an oven might work. :-) I wonder how much it opens.... The idea is nice, but not as nice as my NAPA one if it opens as far as the OEM miata one does.

 

I don't have a pyrex dish or a digital thermometer. Plus I am on my way out the door to exchange the battery for my Z so I can hopefully get it sold this weekend and have the money to finish my miata.

 

pyrex thermometer bulloney

I did my test in my top-ramen pot. It's SUPER easy, though if you don't have the time I understand.

1) Put water, thermostat in pot
2) Put this (water side up) on stove
3) Turn on stove - have fork handy

4) Take pictures ~first opening, ~second opening, and most important fully open (around full boil - turn off stove when boiling, when there's few enough bubble for a good pic, take one!)

Basically I just want to see how big it opens. But if you could take a quick 5 pictures, that would be awesome - PM me and I'll host them for you.
-Abe.

 

I'll see if I can get some for you in a little bit. I need to do some dishes anyway, so I'll be right there.

 

Yeah it has been a while, but mine did not look like that.
MMS lists;
8AB8–15–171 as the thermostat for the 1.8 Miata and 8AK1-15-171 for the 1.6. Odd that the 1.6 gets a two-stage and the 1.8 doesn't.

Joe, time to setup another experiment.

 

Question for those knowledgeable: will a thermostat for a 1.6 fit a 1.8 housing?

 

I use the same thermostat in both housings; fits and works fine. Never knew they made a single for the 1.8

 

Thanks man. That's great info!

 

Yeah it is quite odd, I wonder what the reasoning is behind it.