gbrown0416

I've been considering removing my thermostat(s) from my system completely. I've done this in big block engines that don't have to be pressurized. However, I've never done it on the 944T.

It's not really a big deal, either way. I just live in the desert and figured the thermostat was more of hindrance on overall cooling. I run a little warmer now than I think I should, once the outside temps start to rise above 90 degrees.

I think I may have a problem with the low speed fan, as well. I'll be testing that out this weekend and that may help cool things down a bit. I also need to wrap my headers, turbo and downpipe to reduce the radiant heat under the hood.

At any rate... Anyone run without the the thermostats in and have any thoughts, either way?

pettybird

do you run restrictors in your old cars?


you can try it, but once the car's warm the thermostat acts as a flow inhibitor on purpose--it keeps the coolant in the radiator long enough to actually cool it off. cars I've seen with no thermostats warm slowly, and the heat just creeps up and up.

gbrown0416

No.. Never ran restrictors and I never really noticed an issue. Although, you're probably correct on the flow inhibitor aspect. I'm not planning on pulling it anytime soon. I'm sure we all know how much fun getting the t-stat out of things can be. :P I was just curious if anyone else had tried it out.

Since my previous story telling is so poor, I figured I should mention that I had the upper radiator hose blow on me last week and I replaced it over the weekend. I've been venting it all week as a result. So, that may be why I'm seeing the temperature creep. And I still think my fans are goofy. But, that's a tale for another time.

MAGK944

You have a cooling problem so best to fix it and you will run cooler. Pettybird is correct, running without a thermostat will make it run hotter not cooler. It's all about flow, you want the coolant in the radiator as long as possible and that is what the thermostat does.

fbgh2o

I ran mine without a thermostat and it ran well and cooler. Would run at the lower mark almost all the time.

zerMATT951

Phoenix vs Ontario comparison may not be valid in this case

V2Rocket

as for "cooling hinderance", the water inlet to the impeller is only like an inch across - the 3+" hose connection is only that big so a thermo fits in there...

cruise98

The water pump recirculates the water through the engine to get the engine up to temp quickly, and when the t-stat opens, it closes the recirculation circuit. Unless you want to modify the water pump, just use the lowest temp stat you can find.
If the fans are whacky and it is running hot, fix it before you drive it.

Oddjob

Do a search on this - been beaten to death on why not to remove the thermostat in a 944 water pump.

Also, the idea that the coolant needs to "sit" in the radiator to cool off is very much incorrect - a misunderstanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer and heat exchanger design. Just ask any mechanical or chemical engineer about flow velocity and heat transfer coefficents, turbulent vs stagnant or laminar flow...