Auto Racing: thermostat, thermostat control, 180 sx

Question
hi,we run a very modified 180 sx sr20 turbo engine for track use only it also has a large capacity radiator, is it safe to run without a thermostat? to keep temps down under hard driving.Would an electric pump with thermostat control be better ? regards Paul.  

Answer
Hi Paul:

The thermostat does two things, it restricts water flow when the engine is cool, gradually opening wider as the temperature rises .  Then when the engine is fully warmed up, it regulates the water flow to maintain a constant flow , hence a constant temperature.

Most of us track racers eiither run a thermostat (not ME) or use some sort of restrictor in it's place.  The easy way it to take an old thermostat and a hammer and chisel and beat the guts out of the thermostat, until all you have left is a metal disc with a hole in the middle about 1" diameter. Put it back in the housing and try it, watching the temp guage carefully. Or you can get fancy and go buy a hole saw the size of the opening and cut 'holes' out of a stolen real estate sign (18 ga. aluminum sheet) . These should be the same size as the seat in the housing,  They will have a 1/4" hole in the middle from the pilot drill which you can enlarge to varied sizes to try out, until you find the right one for the run temperature you want. Start with 1/2" and move up as needed.

Now since you are running a high dollar motor, you should know that temp guages do NOT read the temperature of steam !  If you boil the coolant and don't shut down, you will cook the motor big time. I suggest you get a 6 to 8 PSI oil pressure light sensor for a Volvo (best I've found)  install it so it senses water pressure and wire it to an idiot light.   When you start a cold motor, the light will stay on until you generate enough heat to pressurize the coolant. If , during the race, you lose a hose, or boil it over and lose pressure, the light comes on and the driver shuts down.   As a selling point, a few years ago  the guy in front of me at the start missed 3rd. gear coming out of a corner, and I just bumped him from behind, but it tore a small bolt boss out of my radiator tank, allowing a small leak and loss of pressure. The warning light saved that motor.

Thats all I know about that

Good luck

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida