Upgrades and Aftermarket - 99 & up 7.3L EngineUpgrading or adding OEM or aftermarket equipment to your 1999-Up Super Duty or Excursion with 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engine. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 7.3L Power Stroke engine.
Those temps are start to open temps. Full open temps are 12-15 degrees higher.
Great! Finally someone that was able to make a comment on my logic
I researched more from your comment, and found your comment to reflect other sources.
My logic will have to be modified a bit. And people need to check their coolant temperature to know if a 203º thermostat (coolant above 215-218º) will be a benefit.
I don't know the normal operating temperature, so I can't say. That's now my missing piece of info.
Jake
__________________
2000 F-250 7.3L Powerstroke. Build date 08/99.
Ford engineers determined that 195° was right for the thermostat in our 7.3L PSDs. I haven't seen any evidence that the Ford engineers were wrong. So I'm on my third Ford OEM thermostat in 10 years and 185,000 miles.
Smokey hits the nail on the head.
Butch Cassidy1
__________________
2000 F250, 2WD, XLT - A HAULING AND TOWING WORKHORSE.
Normal average operating temperatures on a gasoline engine(may or may not be comparable to a diesel) usually run @ or around 230*F. Anyone with a scan tool can check this. Only advantage I see of having a 203* is idle temps can be higher, and most larger trucks idle more so I can see the benefit of the 203*. I have one, and I do get more warm air when idling than I did before, but that is about the only effect of having it.
__________________
DD 2010 Ford Fusion Sport
relegated to garage duty U.S.N. Paradise BB91904
'99 F350 CC LWB DRW
Mods, SuperHyper Improbability drive stage II. Hypermax 5" turbo back system, triple pillar guages, Heater core shutoff. AEM Brute Force intake. 3.73 gearing. DP PCM with 80HP Installed!
I had one for about 2 years, worked fine. I did a coolant flush and put in a oem 195* t-stat and new housing. I couldn't tell any difference between them, performance wise. Mileage didn't change enough for me to tell, engine didn't run any smoother or rougher, didn't make any more or less noise.
If I lived up north where the snow flies and the cold is for real I might have kept it, but here in South Florida who needs more heat?
Just my $.02
__________________ I have a philosophy? Who knew. Ok, where's the beer?
2002 F-250 XLT CC SB\HPX\ITP prepump mod\Harpoon\DI 65psi fuel shim\4" SS turbo back Magnaflow\Fumoto\FTVB\Edge Evolution2\Zoodad\2008 Diff cover\V-10 Transmission cooler
If you are looking for more heat, then yes, it will give you that, BUT, that is it.
If you are looking for better MPG - forget it, you can get better MPG by keeping the truck light, no lifts, nor oversize tires, speed under 60, and treat the go pedal like an eggshell.
If your truck gets checked for emissions with this tstat, do not be surprised if you are not passed on the emissions test.
Hopes this helps,
Butch Cassidy1
O
I'd like to see your thought process behind the claim that an 8 degree hotter t-stat will increase emissions.
the antifreeze will circulate in a closed loop until the thermostat opens. once the t-stat opens the water circulates through the whole system. once this happens the water temp will drop. a t-stat that is 8 degrees hotter is not going to make much of a difference keeping the water temps higher once the system is open. that 8 degree difference probably helps a lot in temps around 20 degrees outside getting heat in the cab. since the system will stay in a closed loop longer. consistant engine temps are key to long life. if the engine is not holding consistant temps across the board this opens it up to a shorter life. the question being by the 203 staying closed longer is this not allowing a consistant engine temp across the board? or is it? i dont know. just something for everyone to think about.
__________________
2002 F-250: CREW CAB: SHORT BED: 4X4IESEL: 6SPD MANUAL: ALUMINUM AIR INTAKE: 4" BANKS DOWN PIPE: CUSTOM MADE 5" DUAL EXHAUST IN FRONT OF REAR WHEELS: TS PERFORMANCE 6POSITION 140HP: AUTOMETER GAUGES ON PILLAR AND ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: DUAL FRONT SHOCKS: DUAL STEERING STABILIZER: KYB MONOTUBE SHOCKS AND STEERING STABILIZER: LIFTED 2INCHES: TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES LT285/75/17 LOAD RANGE E: 17" AMERICAN RACING WHEELS: CUSTOM MADE WHEEL SPACERS: WARN HUBS: POWER SLOT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS: HAWK SD BRAKE PADS UP FRONT: SMOKED CAB LIGHTS: SMOKED TAIL LIGHTS: POLK AUDIO 10" SUBS IN HOMEMADE BOXES: SONY HEAD UNIT AND SPEAKERS: KENWOOD AMP
I will tell you this from experience:
a 203 stat will make the heater hotter than a 195 stat!!! Proven fact. the thermostat will open at the given temp and once settled will level at near the stats range under normal driving conditions. a 203 stat will allow the temps to run hotter and maintain a higher normal operating temp.
A truck with lets say a 180deg stat in the winter WILL NOT Produce the same heater temps as a 195 or 203 stat. I used to have a 79 ford pickup with a 180 stat and the heater sucked in the winter; I replaced with a 195 and made all the difference to keep the truck warm; so those that state that it doesn't make a difference on heater ouput is full of it.
and if that was the case; then there would be no reason to run a thermostat. Also if you DO NOT run a thermostat; why will a vehicle not heat up in the winter EVER???
as far as heating up quicker; I do not recall which way it goes, but one does heat up or produce better heat than the other. I would say 195 would produce heat quicker, but 203 will provide warmer air
a truck with the 203 stat will still pass emissions, no problem. I pass every year with no issues.
I do not physically see/feel any noticeable benefits between the 2, but that does not mean there is no difference between the 2.
__________________
03 F350 7.3L Auto CC LB Dually 410's (LS Rear)
DP Tuner F5 w/guage style switch. No Start, Stock, 1200RPM high idle, 60 tow, 80 econo, 120 race
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
....I make my living off of Ford engineers who are wrong.
Amen, you tell it brother! Oh that was SO appropriate and I can SO relate. My engineers weren't from Ford but most are born of the same mold. 
IESEL: 6SPD MANUAL: ALUMINUM AIR INTAKE: 4" BANKS DOWN PIPE: CUSTOM MADE 5" DUAL EXHAUST IN FRONT OF REAR WHEELS: TS PERFORMANCE 6POSITION 140HP: AUTOMETER GAUGES ON PILLAR AND ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: DUAL FRONT SHOCKS: DUAL STEERING STABILIZER: KYB MONOTUBE SHOCKS AND STEERING STABILIZER: LIFTED 2INCHES: TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES LT285/75/17 LOAD RANGE E: 17" AMERICAN RACING WHEELS: CUSTOM MADE WHEEL SPACERS: WARN HUBS: POWER SLOT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS: HAWK SD BRAKE PADS UP FRONT: SMOKED CAB LIGHTS: SMOKED TAIL LIGHTS: POLK AUDIO 10" SUBS IN HOMEMADE BOXES: SONY HEAD UNIT AND SPEAKERS: KENWOOD AMP
Linear Mode
