Low temp thermostat for a street car?

03Panther said:

As far as I've read, the lower temp fools the computer into running a bit rich, to give "mo powr"

On this point, that hasn't been accurate for over 30 years. With heated O2 sensors, they turn on as soon as the exhaust temp is above the dew point- which happens pretty quick even at -20F. So the engine will target stoich regardless of the engine temp. 
 

So leaning toward it being a urban legend is 100%. 

spandak said:

.... The internet is full of people saying ....

Im skeptical. 
 

Yeah, just as a general thought, it's good to view a lot of what people say on the internet with a healthy measure of skepticism.

 
Who knows the motor better, the engineers who designed and tested it, or the nameless people online with an opinion on, and a story for, everything?

Finding those online whose knowledge can be trusted is almost an art form.  Until then, the engineers win...in just my opinion... that's now posted online.

Thanks all

I like to think I'm not one of the dullards who need a dummy gauge but maybe that's not the case. 
 

OE thermostat temp it is. 

alfadriver said:

03Panther said:

As far as I've read, the lower temp fools the computer into running a bit rich, to give "mo powr"

On this point, that hasn't been accurate for over 30 years. With heated O2 sensors, they turn on as soon as the exhaust temp is above the dew point- which happens pretty quick even at -20F. So the engine will target stoich regardless of the engine temp. 
 

So leaning toward it being a urban legend is 100%. 

It's very hard for me to remember that the '90s was 30 years ago. But since we were all talking about when it was supposed to be "a thing" ,  yea. 30 years, the '90s.  6 or 1/2 dozen. Whatever.