coolant temperature
 

where should the needle for the coolant temp be sitting around on a 1995 mustang gt.

depends on many factors...

outdoor temp, thermostat temp, etc...


180-210 is about the range of many cars..


don't trust a factory guage, they are'nt accurate..

every car is different but somwhere in the middle of the gauge or just below is normal if everything is working correctly.

the ford guages are not that accurate but they are setup so that they should be near the middle of the guage

Mine sits right at the beginning of the mark where normal begins. If I sit in traffic idleing It will go to the "N"

I run in pretty similar climate as you ;), but run a 160 deg thermostat with an Superchips chip set at 9 deg base timing. I try to keep my cooling system clean and have recently replaced my coolant temp sensor.

sorry to bother you 95mustanggt but you should not be running a 160 thermostat.

these engines are most efficient at around 200° F, a 160 is good for a drag only car but that's it. You should atleast have a 180 for a regularily driven car. Especially in Oakville you need to get that machine up to temperature.

good luck with that

Conrad

I used to run a stock thermo, but with the chip installed, it specifically said I had to run a 160 deg thermostat, so I put it in. Car idles better and runs great.

I agree, on a stock car you should use ONLY a 192 deg thermostat, but once you start modding...

i personally feel the 160 keeps the car too cool but i do like the 180.

I just followed the chip instructions....

the only problem with a 160 is it keeps the car from warming up all the way therefore it never gets into open loop which is when the car runs it's best and most efficient.

I think what you mean is that it never gets into closed loop. But, it does go into closed loop with a 160 t-stat, but not when it should, and the result is a poor running engine thanks to a very confused ECM.

However, when you install an ECM chip, you MUST follow the directions that come with it. The chip alters the ECM, and it's parameters. Therefore, if you were to install a t-stat other than what the chip calls for, you then would be confusing the ECM.

Take care,
~Chris

yeah i meant closed loop typing faster than i was thinking thanks

Hehe, been there, done that!

hey, I don't know how big Broken Arrow is, but I've got a buddy of mine that lives there. Ever meet a guy named Wade Smith?

Take care,
~Chris

Yeah, that was what I was trying to say.