Thread: Highest temperature SR20 thermostat?

Greg, I'm sure you know why I'm asking. Do you know what the options are for high temp thermostats? I sure could use something in the 80°C/176°F or 85°C/185°F range (or maybe hotter) instead of the stock one I have (76.5°C/169.7°F). I heard the later model cars got hotter thermostats?

Since moving to the AEM EMS I've found the same thing everyone else has found with the Koyo radiator. Temps stay too low (left idling it won't go over 156°F in the cold weather) until you really beat on it. I can at least solve the problem of over fueling that stock ECU people have but I'd rather be up to temp. I don't know why (sensor miscalibration?) but with the VEMS EMS it wasn't showing this problem so when you asked a long time ago I said I wasn't having the under heating problem. =/

Anyone else knowing of higher temp thermostats please chime in.

The FSM states that the 00-01 SE thermostat opens at 170F/76.5C.

Damn. Same as the one I have. =/
I may have to resort to modification or alternative engine units if one can't be found.

If it's idling at 156, that's not the radiator or t-stat. because the t-stat will keep the water in the block until 170, right?

Ben , sr16ve ( and sr16ve N1) use the 82*C thermostat. I don't think you will find any higher than this.

Greg, that's what I used to think. But now I'm thinking that the thermostat rating is the temperature when it is fully open. It does, however, start to open sooner. On a factory cooling system the thermostat will creep open at 155°F or so but the system is such that only a little water flowing through the radiator is not enough to keep temps under control so the thermostat continues to open as the temps rise until finally the thermostat is open completely (at 170°F) and max water flow is allowed. Max cooling takes place.
I believe the problem is the Koyo cools so well that once the thermostat creeps open that's enough to keep temps under control and you're stuck with 156°F water unless you really start giving it the beans.

I'm pretty sure that's right.

bbekov, thanks for the tip. Greg can you confirm that? Or can you source those thermostats?

Ben, I trust you on that. bbekov is correct, it is a 82*c/180*F t-stat. Costs like $16-17. I can order it and have it to you in a week or so.

I'll call and make sure you have the right order info for me.

thats sounds about right...cuz i cant realy get my nx past 160 when driving...my rad is cooling it too good i think and i thinkt its contributing to why im getting ****ty gas milage as when i drive i dont go past 170...and i beat on it too and it doesnt go past 170-180.....it used to go to 210....

i have a koyo rad with a stock themostat (tstat was purchased from nissan 4 years ago) and i get 178 deg temps with the car in single degree outside temps. it only takes a few minutes of driving to hit 178 but it will never go past that unless i leave the car idleing for a long time. when i was turbo i could get 180-190 after running it hard on but once again wouldnt hit the fan turn on point of 212(with calum ecu) unless it idled for a while.