i've taken the thermostat out of almost every car i've had, how about an SR20DE engine ? the ECU isn't terribly dependent on it is it ? where i live there is no cold weather, it shouldnt hurt anything huh ? and just one less thing to break down...

SR20DE will be more prone to overheating without a thermostat. That's the result *I* got from removing the thermostat anyways. Not sure why this is, maybe the water doesn't spend enough time in the radiator.

Shoot, thermostat is cheap and easy to replace in the SR20 so you might as well leave it in. The SR20 may be a sturdy motor but it sure doesn't take overheating too well :(

Not sure why this is, maybe the water doesn't spend enough time in the radiator.

That and it also doesn't hang around long enough in the engine to absorb all the heat that is in there. A thermostat regulates the speed that the coolant passes. Alot of race cars use a washer welded in the thermostat housing. Only problem is you don't know what size to start off with.

what if i weld the therrmostat into the 'open' position ....?

I dont think it would be a good or a bad thing car would just take longer to warm up.. the problem is if you just take it out That and it also doesn't hang around long enough in the engine to absorb all the heat that is in there. A thermostat regulates the speed that the coolant passes. Alot of race cars use a washer welded in the thermostat housing. Only problem is you don't know what size to start off with.
pluse you get some thing call cavatation that makes the water pump not work so well cause it sucks air in to it. The washer thing could work you would just need to break out the calculator to figure out the flow rate..

What these guys said is pretty spot on....
But do keep in mind that the ECU IS temperature sensative....
The ECU will correct fuel and timing maps based on engine temp. There is an old fuel injected hot rodders trick of putting a slightly lower temp thermostat in to trick the ECU into thinking its colder so it will dump more fuel.

Yes the SR20DE really is kinda sensative to overheating as well. I wouldn't recomend taking the thermostat out if I were you. Just play it safe and replace it with another one if its bad.

Are you having some kind of cooling system problem that is prompting you to do this or what?

Rick

i blew the top heater core hose...and its leaking somewhere else, i cant see where because when i get under the car the oilpan blocks the view...i think its the waterpump..just cant see it....how hard is it to change those 2 waterhoses under/back of the engine...?...looks like a pain...