I need to get a new thermostat and I don't know which one to get. Should I get a Honda OEM thermostat or should I get an aftermarket low temp one from Advance Auto or Autozone? Honda OEM one is about $12 and the low temp Beck/Arnley #1435672 for $20. The price difference is only $8 so that's not an issue. I just don't know which one will perform better. I don't really care for non-OEM parts, but if they are equivilent if not better, then I'll buy it. The Beck/Arnley #1435672 is a 170 deg failsafe thermostat and it has a lifetime warranty. What does failsafe mean? At what temperature does the OEM thermostat open?

Two more questions: 1. Where can I get a cheap 16lb(1.3bar) radiator cap? I've heard you can get them for under $10 but where? I don't want to spend $35 for a spoon one.
2. Does anyone make a low temp fan switch for our cars?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by scratchline20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
2. Does anyone make a low temp fan switch for our cars?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Power it directly to you ignition switch. This way you have a fan run all the time. Just remember you don't wan't it too cold.

 

When in doubt, always choose OEM. Most of Honda's parts are made extremely well. My turbo'd ZC is gonna boost 20 psi and on a stock headgasket, the stockHG hold up to 30psi. That's just one of many examples.

 

fail safe means if it ever fails, it will be stuck open, and let the water flow all the time, instead of being stuck closed and ur motor would over heat

 

I think I'll go with OEM, unless anyone has any valid reasons why not to. My motor is stock and unforunately will stay stock for awhile, probably for the life of the thermostat. Thanks for the info.

 

Well I am not going to say the lowertemp is better, but having the failsafe is a good idea. As mentioned earlier if a failsafe thermostat were ever to fail (ie die) then it would atomatically be stuck open to let water flow as compared to the conventional style which sticks shut upon crapping out. And if it does crap out and you dont happen to see the temp gauge you could fry your engine. just my 2 cents

 

someone suggested to me that the EG thermostats were about 10deg colder than
our EFs. I have not had a chance to test this.. but if anyone has both parts handy
to test, this could be useful info.

 

I have the Autozone Beck/Arnley Low Temp Themostat in my car and it works great. And 1.3bar isn't 16lbs, its 19lbs, 16lbs is 1.1 bar.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by scratchline20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think I'll go with OEM, unless anyone has any valid reasons why not to. My motor is stock and unforunately will stay stock for awhile, probably for the life of the thermostat. Thanks for the info.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have used an aftermarket thermostat but it was oem temps and never had a problem it even came with a nifty lifetime warranty!!

 

Do you really notice a difference with the low temp thermostat? Is the Beck/Arnley a good product?