LN Engineering 160F Low Temperature Thermostat and Housing

Did you know the factory thermostat doesn't start to even open until 186.8°F and doesn't fully open until almost 210°F?  Did you also know that the new ‘09 DFI engines run a 176°F thermostat from the factory? Heat is the enemy of all performance engines and finding ways to lower or limit heat is extremely beneficial.
 

The principle behind lowering coolant temperatures (regardless of application) is that a cooler engine will have higher volumetric efficiency. Lower temperatures will also allow for more timing without detonation. Since the M96 and M97 ECU’s are capable of changing timing based off of fuel quality and temperature, the lowering of the thermostat operation range can result in higher horsepower and better fuel economy as well.
 

Special features of this unit include:

·        A calibrated German-made 160°F  thermostat pre-installed in a new OE Wahler thermostat housing and gasket

·        Calibrated to open a full 20-25°F degrees earlier than factory units and fully open by 180-185°F to maximize cooling potential

·        Lower coolant temps correlate to a lower oil temperature due to Porsche’s uses of laminar flow type oil to water heat exchangers
 

Although cooling fans are triggered by the ECU at higher coolant temperatures, while at operating speeds, there is sufficient airflow through the radiators to negate the fact that the cooling fans are not exercised as often. Models featuring the center 3rd radiator have even greater cooling capacity that can now be better utilized. The cooling potential is limited only by airflow across the radiators and unfortunately, in low speed operation, such as in traffic, the low temperature thermostat will be limited by the DME trigger of the cooling fans at temperatures well over 200°F.
 

In low speed operation or when ambient air temperatures are excessive, additional 'mods' to trigger the cooling fans to come on earlier help to maximize the potential of the LN Engineering 160°F low temperature thermostat. This can be accomplished by hard wiring the fans, as typically done on 964s and 993s previously or by using an aftermarket fan controller like that made by Dakota Digital.
 

Cold weather testing has shown warm up times are not affected nor is cabin heat affected even at 34°F below zero (with wind chill)! Cold start and warm up enrichment provided by the ECU also is not affected by the use of the LN Engineering low temperature thermostat. The low temperature thermostat remains closed below the threshold of normal coolant temperatures allowed by the DME, so it does not abnormally affect operation or result in a CEL. The 160°F Low Temperature thermostat allows the DME to operate within its normal parameters specified Porsche, and gains in performance and reliability are measured in changes to ignition curves and fuel trims.

Dyno testing on a stock '99 Tiptronic 2.5L with 36,000 miles before and after installation of the low-temperature thermostat.