SPE Thermostat
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2007
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SPE Thermostat
https://spediesel.com/blogs/blog/the-story-behind-r-d-for-the-spe-low-temp-high-flow-thermostat
Is this a good idea for a 2024 HO?
Is this a good idea for a 2024 HO?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,975
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In Theory it is to keep the oil and tranny temps cooler. On my 19 F450 the engine temp normally sits at 197* with the tranny hovering right around the same mark, while oil temps are in the 200 range, so what they say is true in that the engine oil will run hotter. Dropping the opening temp a few degrees? Does that hurt it or harm it? Don't know but I do know that raising it on the old 7.3 PS was all the rage in a better performing engine with the 201* t-stat. Not really worth the cost if you ask me.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
I don't (and never have) understood the concept of a "cooler" thermostat. The t-stat has no ability to add cool antifreeze into the system. All it does is decide when the coolant flows past and when it doesn't. So effectively your temperature is going to run exactly the same after 20 minutes of driving regardless of which t-stat you have. A "cooler" t-stat may open sooner and cause it to take longer to reach operating temp, but you will still reach full operating temp. If you look up "snake oil" in the dictionary I imagine there's a picture of an aftermarket thermostat there.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 107
Likes: 47
I bought it for my ‘17, but the 17-19’s need all the help they can get for cooling. Ford changed something for these years and they don’t cool as well. My truck will get up to 245 EOT very quickly and easily towing even in cool weather. I’d say if you don’t have a cooling problem don’t mess with it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 846
Likes: 460
From: Up in Texas
I don't (and never have) understood the concept of a "cooler" thermostat. The t-stat has no ability to add cool antifreeze into the system. All it does is decide when the coolant flows past and when it doesn't. So effectively your temperature is going to run exactly the same after 20 minutes of driving regardless of which t-stat you have. A "cooler" t-stat may open sooner and cause it to take longer to reach operating temp, but you will still reach full operating temp. If you look up "snake oil" in the dictionary I imagine there's a picture of an aftermarket thermostat there.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
I bought it for my ‘17, but the 17-19’s need all the help they can get for cooling. Ford changed something for these years and they don’t cool as well. My truck will get up to 245 EOT very quickly and easily towing even in cool weather. I’d say if you don’t have a cooling problem don’t mess with it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 107
Likes: 47
Ive been told something was changed from the previous years that made the cooling worse for our years. Idk what it could be, could be a combination of a lot of things. I can’t even say anything about cool or warm weather because it happens in the cool weather too.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
They are most assuredly not snake oil. The thermostat gives the heat time to both be absorbed by the coolant while it is in the engine, and time to leave the coolant while it is in the radiator, it does this by setting the temperature when the water in the engine changes places with the water in the radiator. Without a thermostat the temperature will usually just climb until an overheat causes a mechanical failure or heat is no longer added to the cooling system; or the engine will not get to a sufficient operating temp causing lots of problems if the cooling system is too large. Thermostats determine the engine operating temp only if the rest of the cooling package is capable of removing the heat faster than the engine et al can produce it. Engine temp is a big player in both efficiency and power, and a small change can have a noticeable effect on them and emissions too.
I still assert that a thermostat rated for 160 degrees or 180 degrees or 190 degrees will all allow the engine to reach full 190 degree operating temperature, just perhaps in different amounts of time. The factory t-stat setting is designed to warm the engine up faster, which like you said is better for emissions, power, and fuel economy. So I still don't think an aftermarket t-stat is a worthwhile purchase, but to each their own.
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