[scottj]

I use a thermostat when outside temperatures keep the engine from reaching operating temp. The thermostat I use is the Stewart/Robert Shaw high-flow t-stat. It doesn’t restrict flow and it has the hole in it required for non-bypass, high-flow water pumps. For a street application there really isn’t a down side to using the proper t-stat. You don’t see them used in racing applications because there is always the chance that it could stick shut.

Ideally, you want the coolant to flow through the system as fast as possible and the Stewart/Shaw t-stat will allow this. The greater the coolant velocity, especially in the cylinder heads, the more efficient it is at preventing hot spots. The miss-information on this subject suggests that if coolant flows through the radiator too fast there isn’t enough time to dissipate the heat. But, if the coolant is forced to remain in the radiator longer to cool, it is also remaining in the engine longer as well, increasing the coolant temp in the heads and CAUSING hot spots that lead to detonation. High velocity is was “scrubs” away hot spots and potential steam pockets in the heads.

Scott