[Sneeze]

Anyone here have any experience with aftermarket thermostat like mocal, earl, or improved? With an aftermarket thermostat how long usually to get pass oil temp >120 and to reach 180f?

[Tallgeese179]

Originally Posted by Sneeze

Anyone here have any experience with aftermarket thermostat like mocal, earl, or improved? With an aftermarket thermostat how long usually to get pass oil temp >120 and to reach 180f?

I've been running an Improved Racing 180* in-line thermostat for half of the summer now. Looking at the design of the thermostat, it works something like this:

Cold Oil: a gate is open that opens a passage between the in/out side of the thermostat. The path down to the oil cooler is also not blocked. However, there is less resistance in the passage, so most of the oil recirculates straight back to the block. Improved racing claims ~10% goes to the cooler, warming the oil up there slowly (avoids thermal shock to engine).

Warm Oil: The passage between the in/out side closes. This forces all the oil down to the oil cooler.

There are honestly too many variables to make simple comparison. Oil weight, out door temps, driving habits, etc. can all affect how quickly the oil gets up to temp.

I will say this: I previously didn't have an oil cooler at all (old version of the OFH). Since installing the oil cooler/thermostat, I have not noticed any longer warm-up times. I can only say good things about the Improved Thermostat.

[berns]

Just ordered the Earl's. should be fine. Mishimoto looks good too

[Sneeze]

Thanks for the response guys!

I will be using a 30 row core, do I need to add extra oil?

[Tallgeese179]

Originally Posted by Sneeze

Thanks for the response guys!

I will be using a 30 row core, do I need to add extra oil?

This solution may not work for you (depending on how your oil cooler is mounted), but I just pre-filled the oil cooler before installing it. Mine sits with the ports facing up, located where the right brake duct used to be.

This way on first start up the engine isn't just pumping oil down into the cooler with none coming back until it's full. This may only be a problem on the Improved Tstat, due to it's design.

Pre-filling also avoids guessing how much extra oil to add, since the only missing oil is for the AN lines running to/from the cooler (negligible).