FWI, T-stat and really cold temps

**SomeDudeAtHome** · 08-12-2009

Ok so I'm a bit of a beginner when it comes to car stuff but I've been reading on here a lot and learning so please just bear with me. And yes I've read the safely modding your 3800 engine quite a few times but am sure I don't remember everything yet. Anyway I have a 98 GT with no mods so far. I've been looking into FWI, 180* t-stat, U-bend delete, 2.5" DP and a PCM. All of which I don't have the money for yet but I'm doing the research now. Also I don't believe the last three apply but if they do let me know.

Anyway I go to SUNY Potsdam college and for anyone familiar with the area (Northern part of NY) the winters are extremely cold there. It gets well into the negatives and night and sometimes stays around 0 during the day without wind chill. I've had the anti-freeze of my car made so it can withstand the temperatures and it worked with my old van of 200,000+ miles without a problem so I don't think the GP will have anyway.

My question is with the FWI and t-stat bringing in all of the cold air and keeping my engine cooler will it cause any problems? I've read up on both of them quite a bit and think I understand them pretty well but if i'm missing something please let me know. No where have I found information on how extremely cold temperatures could effect an engine with these mods. Thanks everyone in advance.

**Lawngoose** · 08-12-2009

In winter you would want to run a stock 195* t-stat. What a T-Stat does is... stays closed (keeping the coolant in your block hot...until 195*... then it opens and goes to your radiator, new coolant comes in... reheating cycle...begins... t-stat opens back up...closes when colder than 195*)

If you are in a crazy cold environment, you would want a higher temp t-stat... your car would run better. In the summer, put a 180* in there.

Remember colder air/coolant means more gas is spent.

Hope my rambling helped

**Liquifire** · 08-12-2009

It is just as cold here as it is in buffalo........you will have no problems going with a 180 year around.......just dont drop to a 160. You just wont have quite as good of a heater temp with the colder t-stat and it wont feel real warm at all if you drop to a 160...... I have a 180 and will keep it year round.......It drops to -20 or colder here at night during the winter.......highs sometimes only in the negative singles.........fwiw.

**Bio248** · 08-13-2009

i run a 180* thermostat in winter in wisconsin and my car gets hot just fine. my heat works great.

**SomeDudeAtHome** · 08-13-2009

Ok cool thanks everyone. So the t-stat really won't be a problem but what about the FWI? Is there anything I should do to protect that from the temps or snow/salt/sand even?

**Liquifire** · 08-13-2009

it should be somewhat protected from the elements in the fenderwall.........there is still sand and dirt in the summer. It will hold up, just make sure to clean it out more often and definitely in the spring when all the snow melts.......if you want you can buy a condom(sock) to put over it if you are concerned. Are you familiar with these?

**SomeDudeAtHome** · 08-13-2009

Ya sort of I've seen them on peoples cars. I figured that it would be ok but wasn't sure if how much there is in the winter compared to summer would do damage. I'm more concerned about the air that it'd be sucking in though. Since it's so cold can it hurt the engine?

**Liquifire** · 08-13-2009

no..........it is close to the same air temps as you would get from the stock box.......it was designed to try and get cold air from the fender.......the temps will be ok... that is why there is a sensor on the pipe coming into the throttle body.

**SomeDudeAtHome** · 08-13-2009

oh alright. thanks for your patience and all the info. I'm still trying to figure all of it out. thanks again to everyone else too.

**TheOtherNick** · 08-13-2009

I run a 180 year round in mine. It was -25 for a couple days last year.

TDCRacing · 08-13-2009

160* year round

If you run 160 actual coolant temp will be around 185's in the city. On the highway it will be closer to what the thermostat opens at which can vary.

**shawnz90** · 08-14-2009

I live in kenosha Wi and because of our winters and the floods every now and then i decided not to do some what a fwi i went with a 2in setup but i changed mine to PVC i got the idea from here http://www.grandprixforums.net/f73/m...-fwi-20-2.html Look through the comments on page 2 its the one were the filter fits in the little opening the post is by tjvdubsport mine works great don't get dirty and i don't have to wry about big puddles or shalow flood spots i like it and it sounds good heres pics of mine

**Liquifire** · 08-14-2009

Originally Posted by shawnz90

I live in kenosha Wi and because of our winters and the floods every now and then i decided not to do some what a fwi i went with a 2in setup but i changed mine to PVC i got the idea from here http://www.grandprixforums.net/f73/m...-fwi-20-2.html Look through the comments on page 2 its the one were the filter fits in the little opening the post is by tjvdubsport mine works great don't get dirty and i don't have to wry about big puddles or shalow flood spots i like it and it sounds good heres pics of mine

what the hell? does anyone speak english on here or what? I have no clue what you want them to do or not do. Please explain. I think you wanted to say that instead of using the metal 2" tube like they showed on your link, that you used PVC instead? The link that you gave us is for a small tube with low air flow design. The whole point of a fenderwall intake is to get cold air with good flow. I would not recommend that you do it the way that the link shows. It is still in the fenderwall and just as unprotected. the only beneficial part of it is that you do not have to remove the fender support bar(very easy to do) but in my opinion then why even go this far and jam a filter in here.......Take a look at TDC's FWI........look how much bigger it is and how much better flow you will have versus these setups......not even close to as good.....

**Bio248** · 08-14-2009

open cone.

**TheOtherNick** · 08-14-2009

closed cone.

**Bio248** · 08-14-2009

no cone....?

**Liquifire** · 08-14-2009

two cones?

**Bio248** · 08-14-2009

dual intake...lol

**minichopper6hp** · 08-14-2009

Dual TB's. The end.

**blueguy** · 08-14-2009

Individual Throttle Bodies (ITB's)

Epic Win.

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