I put way too much time in replacing the thermostat. When I first tuned my car at 17,000 miles, using the cursed Livernois tune that tried to take out my turbos and transmission, I used the Livernois 160 thermostat. That piece of junk is really the $10 Auto Zone thermostat that Livernois modifies to open at 160. This stat froze shut early last year, but I was having issues prior to that. When I wisely threw out the Livernois parts, and after installing all of the Gearhead parts, I was too lazy to take out the 160 stat because it was working okay at the time. It froze shut in January of last year while in a sub zero Ohio day, and I had to nurse it home with windows open and heater on full blast. I then purchased a Reische 170 and proceeded to drain the system and replace the stat. I found out too late that I was shipped the wrong stat by the vendor (it was for an F150) and had to run to the parts store to pick up a stock 180 to use until the 170 Reische could be replaced. Again, COLD January in OHio.
I use the 'spill-free' funnel to get the air out after I first button-up a cooling system, but there is always still a little bit of air stuck in the crevices. Knowing the castings as well as I do, I know where the air can hide. This air puges with time.
I then used my Autel scanner full-time while driving, to monitor exact temperture +/- 1 degree. The temp with the stock stat jumped around like a ham on a hook. Fluctuations in temperature ranged at least 30 degrees. In Spring, I got the correct Reische and went through the install all over again. At least I won't have to change anti-freeze for awhile.... The Reische took about 3-400 miles to normalize the readings, and I constantly compared the factory gage to the Autel. They were both very accurate and reliable.
I'm very happy with the GH tune and the Reische stat in my 13.0 work car that gets 22+mpg,and it's worth the extra effort to do the WHOLE GH package at once.
The Plaid will come in early fall when I return to FL for the winter.
