I have spent most of the day looking for,a cooler thermostat, preferably a 160 since I am on Florida. I did find out a fellow was making custom units for the cost of a new T-stat and anotherm$40. For his work, about 8 years ago! Anything new in this area? Almost makes one of those $69. Chips that trick the ecu into,thinkng the engine is colder than it is but I would prefer,a cooler T-stat. Cooler iat'a mean more timing and more power with less chance of knock. I have not seen a stock unit but it seems the housing itself is part of the deal, is that correct? Thanks, Mark

 

The housing is part of the TStat on the M112, and the IAT has no relation to the engine temperature.
186 deg with no A/C and 195 deg with A/C is normal for this engine, it will improve nothing to make it colder.
If cooler IAT is what you are looking for, go with a CAI ( Cold Air Induction ).
While it is true that the OEM setup is indeed a CAI itself, it is a huge heat sink sitting on top of the engine.
I have a single CAI and my IAT runs about 12 - 16 degrees above ambient cruising at 60 as measured by my UltraGauge.
I have noticed that the cooler the ambient is, the closer the IAT is to it.

 

Truck-tec makes a 160F for the Sprinter.

 

Ala-Xcode, you don't think a cooler running engine(coolant temp) will lower the IAT's? I am getting a NeedsWings dual CAI but a 160 degree stat would lower the Iat's as the heat has to go somewhere and some is absorbed by the rest of the components under the hood. On the Musang Cobra the oat was eight on the SC itself so a cooler t-stat sure helped keep the oat lower. ark

 

I see no difference between the OAT / IAT when my engine is running at 186 at 85 OAT, or at 195 ( A/C) with same 85 OAT cruising at 60.

 

sweet2002. If you are dealing with Needswings for your cai, inquire about a cooler stat. This was done in the beginning with your thinking at hand. Made no difference. If you are running n/a, it might help you a little, but very little. This ECU isn't easily tricked. Now if you are running an SRT6, then get the coolant separation kit from needswings. It will help more than a stat. Good luck either way.....

 

I have actually found my car runs slower in the 1/4 mile if the engine cools below 185* F. It runs best with the engine hot, 190-200, and the IAT cool, below 100.