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Old 06-27-2022, 04:38 PM
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lower temps are better, from a performance view as well

Quote:
Originally Posted by aureliusmax View Post
should be at 190 degree F. Throw in a low temp thermostat in there. The higher temps are only for a marginal fuel economy and emissions crunch that Euro-Union regulated since the late 1990's which causes rapid acceleration and wear of all gaskets and seals and reduces peak power output and increases chances of misfiring.
I've not changed my X5's T-stat, yet, since the electric fan is keeping my M54 cool enough, but I've always changed my T-stats to lower opening temperatures, for added performance or trying to avoid head gasket problems (particularly on iron block/aluminum head combinations).

My '04 Silverado 2500HD has a 6.0L iron block/aluminum head combo, but the viscous fan, large radiator and oil cooler have kept running temps below 210F, so I've not put in a low-temp T-stat yet, while my '98 GMC 5.7L iron/iron engine runs cool, using a 160F T-stat. All my previous trucks got the same T-stat as well, with E-fans and oil coolers too, while the '66 Chevelle got the full-race treatment, with multiple fans, coolers, electric high-volume water pump, and tuned (for best flow) water restrictor instead of a T-stat. Conversely, I kept stock temperature T-stats on all my last fuel-injected engines, since they were all 4-cylinders, and economy vs performance won out.

I've not driven the X5 enough to see if it even needs a different T-stat or any performance boost as yet; with 10+ compression and 4:10 rear gear, it seems spry enough for a 4600-lb truck to be. I just don't need any overheating problems, and will address them if they crop up (Stewart pump, and perhaps modifying the T-stat with drilled holes would be my first set of solutions). A Zionsville "BMW M54 Competition Thermostat Plate Kit", or a " Competition Thermostat Kit, AAF 80C" might be good to add, but not if the M54 might have emissions problems afterwards. My first instinct (as a former hot-rodder-racer) is towards the performance side, but my septuageneric-retiree side is leaning towards reliability, at a reduced cost.
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01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01
topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car"

Here:
14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E
09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E
04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E
98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E

Gone:
66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake
08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E
69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350
86 S10,2.8L-700R4
73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4
72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4
64 VW,1.2l-MT4
67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727
56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide
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