Forgive me for all of the questions. I have tried Google and searching although the questions seem not be quite what I want.

I am debating whether my car is running a thermostat at the moment. Whilst my heater is warm the temp gauge is quite over the place! The fans however do cut in and cool the car down in addition to it gradually getting warmer in traffic as opposed to straight away. My setup at the moment is an Airtec radiator with a Bailey swirl port and Stainless header tank.

What thermostat do you chaps recommend for a ZVH? Is my only choice an 88 degree item? (I am not going to lie, that seems to look a little hot for my liking!).

 

Not a zvh, but my zetec turbo has a cvh thermostat housing fitted, with a standard rs turbo thermostat.

 

Run a 82 deg in mine

 

The ideal temp for thermal efficiency is around 90c so a standard one is fine.

 

Okie doke, cheers for the input chaps. I may be going stock.

On the basis that I have a ZVH (it doesn't seem to overheat in traffic) with an Airtec rad and a chargecooler radiator which covers half of the radiator (it is not as bad the intercooler items) would you still go for an 88 degree item? I am aware that people with the Airtec intercoolers tend to run cooler thermostats since it is felt by some that they can promote hotter running.

Studabear I take it yours is also running an 88? Is it OK around town etc.? Normally I would not be so picky but a previous car gave me enough cooling issues to last me a lifetime.

 

Don't forget that with antifreeze boiling point is around 115-125°c. So it's not that bad running close to 90-100