I purely talking about power. To me "optimal temperature for combustion" implies a balance/compromise of efficiency, emissions, and power. I'm still researching and finding mixed information. But I'm consistently seeing that cooler engines make more power on the dyno; nothing authoritative though.
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Oil Preference?
- Thread starter dutchman187
- Start date
SD Rebel
Spends too much time on here
Absolutely, I was skeptical as well, I personally remember reading about it on a high-performance thermostat website regarding changing thermostat for cooler ones, they were comparing modern engines and why a 180F thermostat wasn't always a good choice. Higher temps allow the fuel to burn better, which helps both power production and efficiency. Of course I'm talking about street cars here, If you go with a racing or highly modified example, that could be different.
It was years ago, but I'll try to find that one, but here are some from a quick Google search that covers it. I'm sure you can do a more in-depth search to find more scientific or industry explanations ....
Why have manufacturers put hotter thermostats in their engines?
Why have automobile manufacturers put hotter thermostats in their engines The old thermostats used to be - degrees Now they're or degrees hotter than that Why would they do this It's fairly common knowledge that heat is the worst enemy...
Do Cooler Engines Make More Power? - Fact Or Fiction - Import Tuner Magazine
The Claim: Cooler engines make more power. We all know that heat is the enemy of performance in the automotive realm. Rampant engine heat increases the propensi
Last edited:
Jprec8it
Active Member
Is the amsoil certified for the ram?
Thanks for sharing those links. The second one (Questek) is particularly interesting. Just to be clear (I think you already know this), I'm not advocating for the old school logic of putting a 160deg or 180deg thermostat in a vehicle that is designed for a 192deg t-stat. What I'm questioning is whether the manufacturers' move to designing engines to run above 200-220 degF instead of 180-200 degF actually results in more (or even the same) power. Better efficiency . . . sure. Lower emissions . . . sure. More power (or even the same) . . . I'm not so sure.Absolutely, I was skeptical as well, I personally remember reading about it on a high-performance thermostat website regarding changing thermostat for cooler ones, they were comparing modern engines and why a 180F thermostat wasn't always a good choice. Higher temps allow the fuel to burn better, which helps both power production and efficiency. Of course I'm talking about street cars here, If you go with a racing or highly modified example, that could be different.
It was years ago, but I'll try to find that one, but here are some from a quick Google search that covers it. I'm sure you can do a more in-depth search to find more scientific or industry explanations ....
Why have manufacturers put hotter thermostats in their engines?
Why have automobile manufacturers put hotter thermostats in their engines The old thermostats used to be - degrees Now they're or degrees hotter than that Why would they do this It's fairly common knowledge that heat is the worst enemy...www.cartalk.com
Do Cooler Engines Make More Power? - Fact Or Fiction - Import Tuner Magazine
The Claim: Cooler engines make more power. We all know that heat is the enemy of performance in the automotive realm. Rampant engine heat increases the propensiwww.motortrend.com
Amsoil is all I use for all my vehicles including my '21 ram
SD Rebel
Spends too much time on here
When it comes to burning fuel better, I don't think you can get increased mpg and emission without unleashing more power through that efficiency.
Now if your question is, did they move to this for more mpg and reduced emission vs power, it's highly likely the additional power or efficiency was likely last on their list of reasons. Probably a nice bonus with their main goal being better overall engine efficiency. The only negative if running higher temps, and we are only talking about 10% here, is increased wear to the engine. But with modern materials, it's likely negligible the durability difference between a 180F engine vs 200F engine.
VegasRob55
Active Member
Definitely never seen mine above 190, and I drive in 120 degree traffic daily.
Not sure what to tell you, unless they forgot to install a thermostat in your engine at the factory.
Idahoktm
Spends too much time on here
The OEM thermostat is 195° so you should be seeing temps above 190°, especially in Vegas.
2003-2024 Mopar Thermostat 52028898AJ | Mopar eStore
2003-2024 Mopar Thermostat 52028898AJ
store.mopar.com
SD Rebel
Spends too much time on here
On a 5th gen? You are looking at the 4 gauge digital readout and you never seen your coolant temps go above 190F? You need to have that checked out, even if your thermostat is broken open, it still would get up to 230F before the electric fans turn on.
The only thing on that read-out that gets around 190F and stays there is the transmission temp.
There is some discussion on the interwebs that OEM part 52028898AI is actually 203deg and 52028898AE is 195deg. Rock Auto also shows 203deg as OE temperature. But do your own research and don't yell at me if you disagree.The OEM thermostat is 195° so you should be seeing temps above 190°, especially in Vegas.
2003-2024 Mopar Thermostat 52028898AJ | Mopar eStore
2003-2024 Mopar Thermostat 52028898AJ
Idahoktm
Spends too much time on here
Well, Mopar shows that the AE thermostat has been superceded by AI. I'd go with the Mopar information before any aftermarket site.
Yes, I know. The point is: There are people saying when they receive the AI (the correct OEM thermostat), it is a 203 deg thermostat. There is online "talk" that the Mopar website incorrectly states that is 195 deg.
bigdodge
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why don't you all take a picture of the temperature gauge?
Mine runs mostly around 208 deg. Why do I need a pic of the temp gauge?
bigdodge
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well you don't
but everyone is talking about what their temp is and a picture is way better
Yeah, I'm an engineer by trade as well and in my business, like many, the engineers don't have the final say. Turns out that the bean counters call the shots - and it's usually all about cutting cost out of the product. Boeing is a great example ... great engineers who were shot down, until the cost savings resulted in two 737's going down. If engineers called the shots, our hemi engines would last 500,000 miles. Oh, but then service revenues would be down ... can't have that either!!
Mopar website is wrong about a lot of things.
I called a Chrysler/RAM dealer in Florida (where I spend a few months in the winter), gave them my VIN (last 8 characters), and they ASSURED me that my truck came with a 195 degree thermostat. I called a Chrysler/RAM dealer here in Milwaukee, gave them my VIN (last 8 characters), and they ASSURED me that my truck came with a 203 degree thermostat. They (Chrysler/RAM Service/Parts) would/could NEVER be wrong, so I must have two thermostats in my truck!! 
Wonder where they hid that other one ....
Wonder where they hid that other one ....
