despite the reroute and a nice radiator my car runs a bit warmer than I would like. anyone have thoughts on going to a lower rated thermostat?

what can I try from a local parts store just for fun. I know many have great success with the reroute and other parts. thats cool, mine runs on the hot side. My head gasket seems fine as does the water pump so rally what else can I check?

perhaps someone has a part number of a 170 thermo or something similar I can try in the reroute housing?? it might not make much difference but a few extra minutes is happy vs worried on temps

 

Does it run hotter than the thermostat is rated for?

 

?? yeah, 2 and from the track. i forget the exact number but I start peddling at about 235f water at about the 25 minute mark.. at this point I hardly care if the motor goes boom. oil is fine dont think ive seen more than 230. thoughts? if the pump was toast no way it would last so long

 

Something is wrong, dont 'upgrade' the thermostat untill its fixed.

 

yeah, i have a track day in 2 days. I'm driving the car. I was looking for input.. no um something is wrong. wow never thought of that thanks!

the car runs fine, strong, its gets pretty hot at the end of a session, if something was really wrong I don't think it could take being pounded on for 30 minutes about 235 ish f under hot conditions .

 

Ok rundown the entire cooling system

How are you reading temp?

 

Using a different thermostat isn't going to solve anything. Figure out what's actually wrong, instead of just changing parts for no reason.

 

Are U going to Autobahn on Monday?

Never mind that's in 4 days

 

Water pump, kinked hose, excessive corrosion, or bad sender/calibration.

 

Sawzall + hood = Fixed.

 

I'm going to assume you have Hustler-spec™ ducting, or this is all pointless.

 

If the car already runs above the thermo temp and the thermo isnt broken, changing the thermo wont make it run colder.

 

yes it is sealed like a mo fo.

 

temp sensor on the back of the block, in the reroute housing.

the standalone sensor was moved to the front of the block because the sensor housing tube was slightly wrong size for the hose and was leaking a little bit.

the rest of the cooling system is stock, heater is stock, ducting

 

not 100% sure yet, I will be at autobahn on sat and sunday for sure. if the car is still running ok I will do monday also.

 

Are you, by chance, feeding the radiator with air exclusively from the back of the intercooler?

 

Are you using the stock '99 headgasket or did you switch to a '94-97?

 

can I test the power of the water pump somehow? could a non oem pump be less affective somehow? I have no idea just trying to talk this stuff out.

 

stock should I be using something else? oh my could we be on to something here?

 

I'm glad you've decided against changing your thermostat. I always ask the question: "Why do you expect a fully open 170* thermostat to cool any better than a fully open 185* thermostat?"

Stock undertray in place? No dummy risers on the hood? No cowl on the radiator? A/C not running?