Originally Posted by BrianBrave
If your ECT's are running around 218*F then a 180* thermostat will only extend the warm-up time to reach final operating temps. - I don't think a 180* T-Stat would hurt your car, or pull any timming - It just won't reduce final operating temperature.
I don't think seperating the Intercooler coolant from the enine coolant will have any effect on the ECT's. But if your ECT's are currently running at 218*F - you will see a big improvement with your Intercooler coolant and IAT's.
218 is the max i've hit this summer, granted it gets up to 115 outside if not hotter at times. i typically see between 198 and 210 under regular driving (50/50 coolant/water mixture btw) and dont really get on it during the summer b/c the heat.
So it sounds like i am almost just as good to do the cheapy way out and drill the holes then? the temps never get near freezing here so i wouldnt have any codes thrown from too cold an engine.
as far as seaprating the IC coolant from the engine coolant, it should definitely help improve my IATs as they are ridiculously high (im assuming) as reflected by by ECTs, but i was hoping that the fan mod and tstat would help with this....