Ok here's the deal. My car is supposed to use a 2-stage thermostat. I'm not sure of the degree range of it. But my car has had a 180 degree thermostat in it for over a year (since I bought it). I'm catching hell and damnation from a few MX-6 guys about using anything but a 2-stage thermostat.

I understand that our engines tend to run hot. Whether because of the turbo, or because of the relatively insufficient cooling system. I don't know. But I've never had my engine go from cool to hot quickly, unless a hose popped.

It seems the only argument for a 2-stage thermostat is that coolant is gradually released from the radiator, preventing temperature shock to the head.

What now...is our aluminum head any more sensitive than all the other aluminum heads out there? Am I just plain wrong to use a cooler 1-stage thermostat, than the 2-stage? I'm just thinking now that if I were to use the "correct" thermostat, that it will remain at higher temps normally, which so far everyone complains about how poor the car's cooling is. I don't have that problem though.

I will say, I believe due to hoses coming off too often and overheating, that I now have to replace a head gasket, and who knows what else. But those hoses popped off because the old one was worn, and I couldn't get the new one attatched well.