Thermostat Necessary?
 

Some of you may know I've been working on my head for like 3 weeks. Haha :p Well it's actually in a rented-out stall that I'm paying for ($5 a day), and they're only open 5 days a week. So I don't actually have the liberty to work on it consistently till I'm done, but I'm almost there.

Anywayz, I just realized, now that I'm starting to slap everything back together, my car didn't have a thermostat. I know that a thermostat is not absolutely essential to have a car that runs well. Especially in a pretty warm climate such as San Diego. Should I install one anyway? I'm thinking she'll be just fine.

yes, get a thermostat... they're cheap anyhow ;)

The computer needs a coolant temp minimum of 160* to get into 'closed loop operation. Run a 180* and your temp will be stable, and your car will like you better.

yes i agree, but dont cheap out and buy a cheapo smucks thermostate, get a good one,
for shits and grind hold a cheapo and a toyota t-state in hand, the toyo stat is twice the weight.. well its alot heavier... better material. cheap stats tend to stick closed or open. IMO

Not trying to avoid my thermostat, but won't those temperatures be reached once the vehicle gets to normal operating temperature, in around 10-15 minutes?

imo, i doubt it would ever reach full opperating temp while moving on a cold day without a stat? :dunno:

just for shits and giggles, when I get my water temp gauge, whenever that may be, I'll do the experiment to let the world know conclusively what the effects are, with and without the thermostat. That is unless someone wants to beat me to this experiment. Mind you it rarely dips below 55 degrees F, here.

just keep a good eye on that temp ;)

make sure it don't redline hehehe

You don't have to do the experimenting...it's already been done by smarter and richer $$ people than any of us. If your are running out on the street, and not just the track, use a t-stat to 'keep' the temp stable. Over and out ....

go ahead and buy a thermostat, they are cheap and your car will thank you, and you will thank us.