Canyon707
Enthusiast
Has anyone put in a 180 degree thermostat? did you have a performance increase? redlight from computer? any issues?
Thermostat
- Thread starter Canyon707
- Start date
No isssues but I did mine in conjunction with the programming from DC performance. The programming not only increases performance, it adjusts the electric fan and, in conjunction with the thermostat, the car runs much cooler.
Canyon707
Enthusiast
what kind of gain did you get from DC?
Not much in peak horspower. I would guess 10hp. But where is really counts s in the mid ranges where you gain 25 to 30hp. Throttle response at 2500 to 4000 is much improved. This is by far my favorite power mod to date.
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
As Nader said above this is a great mod as long as you do the DC reflash at the same time as Dan reprograms when the fan come on and programs it to cycle longer. Otherwise your temperature will go up and down like a yo-yo. A side benefit is a much cooler running engine, a cooler cockpit, and cooler A/C.
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
GEN 3
When you drain the fluid from the radiator you should always do it from the drain petcock on the bottom of the radiator and do not drain more than you need to so as to change the thermostat. After installing the new thermostat and hoses you need to hook a small hose to the bleed screw on top of the thermostat housing and put the other end into a container that has clean antifreeze in it. Then you slowly pour clean antifreeze into the radiator overflow tank until all the air has been expelled from the bleeder hose. I like to let it sit overnight as air will rise to the top and go out the bleeder hose. Then close the bleeder fitting and remove the hose. Top up the overflow tank. BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT ANTIFREEZE.
GEN3 Vipers have a hydraulic fan. A very good performing fan indeed.
The DC programming does not adjust the hydraulic fan.
Only the colder thermostat makes your can turn on the hydraulic fan sooner and therefore operate cooler.
The car seems to operate at 180 but commonly rises to 185 in traffic. So far the weather has not been too hot- today its going to be a high of 42 so I have not been able to test the new thermostat under outside temperature load. But the car does seem a little cooler inside.
Jim
Jim
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"The DC programming does not adjust the hydraulic fan.
Only the colder thermostat makes your can turn on the hydraulic fan sooner and therefore operate cooler."
DC's computer programming can (and usually does) revise the point at which the fan activates, i.e. it tells the car's computer to begin spinning the fan at a lower coolant temperature, keeping the engine cooler.
If you have run your engine on a warm day with the hydraulic fan spinning, you will notice that the fan speeds up with the engine speed to help increase air flow through the radiator, enhancing cooling. This type of fan and the way it operates helps us SRT guys avoid the overheating issues suffered by the Gen II Vipers on very hot days or under race conditions.
The cooler thermostat simply opens at a lower temperature an allows coolant flow to begin sooner, thus keeping the engine a bit cooler too.
It is interesting to note that the 2008 Viper will have twin electric fans.
Dan
Only the colder thermostat makes your can turn on the hydraulic fan sooner and therefore operate cooler."
DC's computer programming can (and usually does) revise the point at which the fan activates, i.e. it tells the car's computer to begin spinning the fan at a lower coolant temperature, keeping the engine cooler.
If you have run your engine on a warm day with the hydraulic fan spinning, you will notice that the fan speeds up with the engine speed to help increase air flow through the radiator, enhancing cooling. This type of fan and the way it operates helps us SRT guys avoid the overheating issues suffered by the Gen II Vipers on very hot days or under race conditions.
The cooler thermostat simply opens at a lower temperature an allows coolant flow to begin sooner, thus keeping the engine a bit cooler too.
It is interesting to note that the 2008 Viper will have twin electric fans.
Dan
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
Viper X is correct in that the DC reflash does control when the fan turns on, turns off, and for how long it runs. It also controls what RPM the fan runs at. If you have any doubt that Viper X and I are incorrect on this I would have you call Dan at DC Performance and he will explain it to you.
