SVTPerformance Cooler Heads Prevail : Reische Thermostat Installwww.svtperformance.com/forums/front...eads-prevail-reische-thermostat-install.html"www.svtperformance.com/forums/front...eads-prevail-reische-thermostat-install.html"www.svtperformance.com/forums/front...eads-prevail-reische-thermostat-install.html"www.svtperformance.com/forums/front...eads-prevail-reische-thermostat-install.html"
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Making an engine run cooler has long been known as a way to increase longevity and produce more power. Thermostats that open earlier allow coolant to circulate to the radiator sooner, ideally keeping engine temperatures lower. That is, if your cooling system has the ability to flow enough coolant and dissipate heat well enough. That’s why switching to a colder thermostat has been a very popular mod over the years. One thing is for certain, a cooler running engine provides a bit of added protection against detonation in supercharged applications (by keeping the cylinder cooler). When it comes to lower temperature thermostats for Ford Modular engines there is basically one name to turn to, Reische Performance. And when it comes to places to buy a Reische thermostat there’s definitely only one place to go, Lethal Performance.
Reische 170° thermostats are custom made with the same large diaphragm and bypass valves as the OEM units, and they are modified by hand using only U.S. made parts. Reische then quality tests each unit to ensure consistent opening temps. They also include a new gasket with each thermostat. However, while Reische does include the things you need to physically install the part in car you will still need to retune your ECU to cope with the lower operating temperatures. The tune can be made a bit more aggressive, and the cooling fan on and off-temperature settings need to be modified to take advantage of the cooler t-stat.
Due to a slight modification we made to the SVTP 2012 GT’s engine we thought it may be a good idea to install a cooler thermostat. Since we were already in the shop for our McLeod RXT Twin-Disc Clutch installation we had the guys at Power By The Hour Performance pop in a Reische t-stat from Lethal. Follow along as we go through the process of fitting it to the Coyote 5.0 in out GT:
Here's the box.
This is what you'll find inside the box.
It's a simple part, but it does a important job.
The Reische thermostat is a good quality piece, and to top it off it's made in the USA. That's more than you can say for Craftsman tools these days.
The install process begins by removing the plastic under-body work.
Once the body panel is out of the way you'll be able to access the radiator drain valve. It's in the upper left portion of this pic.
Here is a better view of it.
What oil and oil filter we use in the SVTP GT you may ask? It's Royal Purple HPS 5w30 and a Royal Purple filter.
With this hose placed on the drain spout we opened up the valve and drained out the coolant.
It doesn't come out too quickly, so if you're doing this at home now would be a good time for a beer break.
Once the coolant reservoir and radiator are drained the real work can begin.
The intake pipe is going to have to be remove.
With the intake out of the way you'll be able to access the thermostat housing.
You have to remove two bolts in order to separate the upper and lower portions of the housing.
With the housing sections separated you'll then be able to remove the stock thermostat.
Here you can see the differences in the two thermostats, Reische on the left and the stock one on the right.
The tops of the two parts are a little different too.
Here you can see the difference in the spring configurations.
To install the Reische thermostat you just reverse the removal procedure.
Once everything in cinched back up you'll be ready to refill the coolant system.
A Rad-Vac makes refilling the system and making sure it is purged of air exceedingly simple. If you're going to work on cooling systems much at all I highly suggest you buy one.
After checking for leaks the service flap can be reinstalled.
For 2011 Ford switched to this new Motorcraft Specialty Orange coolant. It's basically the Ford version of Dex-Cool (a GM trademark). It's important to refill with the same fluid because mixing different coolant types can cause all sorts of problems.
This is what you'll find inside the box.
It's a simple part, but it does a important job.
The Reische thermostat is a good quality piece, and to top it off it's made in the USA. That's more than you can say for Craftsman tools these days.
The install process begins by removing the plastic under-body work.
Once the body panel is out of the way you'll be able to access the radiator drain valve. It's in the upper left portion of this pic.
Here is a better view of it.
What oil and oil filter we use in the SVTP GT you may ask? It's Royal Purple HPS 5w30 and a Royal Purple filter.
With this hose placed on the drain spout we opened up the valve and drained out the coolant.
It doesn't come out too quickly, so if you're doing this at home now would be a good time for a beer break.
Once the coolant reservoir and radiator are drained the real work can begin.
The intake pipe is going to have to be remove.
With the intake out of the way you'll be able to access the thermostat housing.
You have to remove two bolts in order to separate the upper and lower portions of the housing.
With the housing sections separated you'll then be able to remove the stock thermostat.
Here you can see the differences in the two thermostats, Reische on the left and the stock one on the right.
The tops of the two parts are a little different too.
Here you can see the difference in the spring configurations.
To install the Reische thermostat you just reverse the removal procedure.
Once everything in cinched back up you'll be ready to refill the coolant system.
A Rad-Vac makes refilling the system and making sure it is purged of air exceedingly simple. If you're going to work on cooling systems much at all I highly suggest you buy one.
After checking for leaks the service flap can be reinstalled.
For 2011 Ford switched to this new Motorcraft Specialty Orange coolant. It's basically the Ford version of Dex-Cool (a GM trademark). It's important to refill with the same fluid because mixing different coolant types can cause all sorts of problems.
Special Thanks To:
Lethal Performance
Power By The Hour Performance
Reische Performance
-SID297:beer:
