Benefit of a different thermostat?

[Sphinx]

What's the benefit of changing the temp range of the thermostat on a stock engine. I see yella terra sell 82 degree thermostats and I'd like to know the benefit over a stock one? May sound like a dumb question but can some one clue me in?

[hakhawk]

the thermostat will open up at a cooler temp, therefore cooling the whole system before it gets too hot. its like making a thermo fan come on earlier, it keeps the engine cooler.

(thats my understanding anyway, someone tell me if im wrong)

[Juzza]

Originally Posted by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermostat#Mechanical

A thermostat is used in automobiles using an internal combustion engine to regulate the flow of coolant.
This type of thermostat operates mechanically. It makes use of a wax pellet inside a sealed chamber. The wax is solid at low temperatures but as the engine heats up the wax melts and expands. The sealed chamber has an expansion provision that operates a rod which opens a valve when the operating temperature is exceeded. The operating temperature is fixed, but is determined by the specific composition of the wax, so thermostats of this type are available to maintain different temperatures, typically in the range of 70 to 90 °C (160 to 200 °F). Modern engines are run hot, that is, over 80 °C (180 °F), in order to run more efficiently and to reduce the emission of pollutants. Most thermostats have a small bypass hole to vent any gas that might get into the system (e.g., air introduced during coolant replacement). Modern cooling systems contain a relief valve in the form of a spring-loaded radiator pressure cap, with a tube leading to a partially filled expansion reservoir. Owing to the high temperature, the cooling system will become pressurized to a maximum set by the relief valve. The additional pressure increases the boiling point of the coolant above that which it would be at atmospheric pressure.

I think basically the benefit of a different temperature thermostat over stock would be that it would allow the engine to get coolant at a different temperature which could help in preventing overheating in I guess higher performance engines which may get to higher temperatures more rapidly?

EDIT: Beaten.. good call hak

[vtdemon]

Also for the opposite reasons, I've heard of putting lower temperature rated thermostats to get the engine to operating temperature quicker to prevent engine wear from drive cold too often.

[vuv6]

Originally Posted by vtdemon

Also for the opposite reasons, I've heard of putting lower temperature rated thermostats to get the engine to operating temperature quicker to prevent engine wear from drive cold too often.

yeh thats what i thought too....can sumone confirm this?

cheers
ryan