Which thermostat for E85?

[mblum]

My car has a 160 degree thermostat in it, was in there when I got the car. Recently I replaced the original radiator and with running E85 and during cool weather and highway driving the coolant temps only hit 150. Temps stay right at 160 during city driving in cooler temps.

The highest coolant temp I've saw this week in 100 degree weather was 170 degrees.

I'm considering switching to a 180 degree thermostat. The car will see 100 degree weather in the summer and 40's in the spring and fall.

For folks running E85 what thermostat do you run and what are your target coolant temps?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Matt, I'd try the 180* piece.
150 is way too cool.
Just my $.02

 

[mblum]

Thats where my head was at too Chuck. It wasn't a problem with the old radiator as the car ran warm.

 

[Mr.Spool]

I have seen this as well
I didn't address it as one of my cars was running 140 degrees pretty consistently
The result is haven't had a single issue.
Still havent touched it other than take it out

 

[Mr.Spool]

We run our cars hard and on the street
With a goal of repeated hits.
Gotta keep it cool

 

[mblum]

My concern, and why I asked the question was if water vapor or condensation in the engine would become a problem at the lower temps. Mr Spool, so that hasn't been a problem I take it.

The other issue is running a LU converter on the highway, when the outside temps drop into the 40's and 50's it takes 15-20 minutes for the trans to hit 140 degrees. I have my cooler lines routed to the external trans cooler first, then rad cooler, then back to trans.

 

[BEATAV8]

I run a 180 in our wagon. Gotta have some heat when it’s cold outside.

 

[Mr.Spool]

My concern, and why I asked the question was if water vapor or condensation in the engine would become a problem at the lower temps. Mr Spool, so that hasn't been a problem I take it.

The other issue is running a LU converter on the highway, when the outside temps drop into the 40's and 50's it takes 15-20 minutes for the trans to hit 140 degrees. I have my cooler lines routed to the external trans cooler first, then rad cooler, then back to trans.

No that hasn't been a problem running at the lower temps
With regard to the transmission the radiator does not dictate transmission temps
We run non lock mainly.
We also run in cold and hot temps.
If I was to run through the radiator I would look at temps in the conditions you are running the car and make a decision from that data.
My tranny temps are on the low side even in cold weather.