I deleted my thread on the pinging because I did some more search reading that refreshed my memory. Before my tacoma I owned a 98 Ford Ranger V6 which were notorious for having a pingin problem, 89 octane kinda fixed it, but the thing I found in the end that fixed it was i went from the 195 degree stock thermo to a 180 degree Jet thermo and the ping stopped. To any of you that have installed the TRD thermo is this a ping fix? And also, what are the pros of adding a TRD thermo to a truck without the S/C, the only con I can think of is how it affects the heater.

 

The cooler thermostat helps the ping with the S/C but is not a fix. I notice no difference in heater output between the two.

 

Thanks, thats what I though I remembered with my ranger that the thermo helped the ping, its strang about the heater though, my ranger took forever to warm up, i just chalked it up to the lower thermo but maybe it was faulty when new.

 

Gadget recommends using a 170* thermo from Napa Auto Parts. They're about $14. A LOT cheaper than the TRD model. Here's a link.

Hope this helps.
G

 

Just out of curiosity, whats the stock thermo set at?

thanks

 

183* or so. It keeps a NA stock engine around 185-190*.

G

 

As with transmission coolers, does a lower temp thermo extend engine life? I've always used it for curing ping, but was wondering what the other pro's are.

thanks

 

Well, too low of an engine temp will keep a modern EFI engine from reaching a fully warmed up state and fuel economy will suffer as well as bring the potential for increased combustion chamber deposits, which can reduce engine efficiency and also increase emmssions. However, on NA engine, lowering the operating temp only a few degress while running a free-flowing intake and exhaust, along with more advanced timing can yield some pretty good HP and Torque gains.

On forced induction engines, reduced cylinder head temps can greatly reduce the chance for detonation and also allow for more aggressive timing curves, with the former providing a better chance for engine durability and longevity and the latter providing better performance.

As for using a low temp thermo strictly as a method for prolonging engine life; it's probably not the cure-all you might be thinking of, but it does have it's uses.

Hope this helps.
G

 

Sounds good, since I already have the exhaust and intake covered, Ill shoot for the Napa 170 soon.

thanks

 

YW. Keep an eye on your fuel economy and see if you notice a drastic reduction in MPG.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.
G

 

A normally aspirated 3.4 should never ping. You should have your pinging problem diagnosed and cured instead of treating the symptoms with band aid fixes.

Gadget

 

Good advice Gadget,I saw people "band-aiding" things all the time at the dragstrip and it doesn't take long to realize you should have fixed it right the first time considering the "break" will cost more than the fix.

 

Well what would be the cause of the ping, could it be something to do with the intake or something else to look for?