What is the normal operating coolant temps you see??
 

I had a gimormous radiator on my car and it barely if ever got above 180. What do you guys see on a normal basis with aftermarket gauges? Do you think the 207 degree thermoswitch on the back of the water pump housing is too high to start an electric fan? IIRC the Rx-8 fans turn on at that temp but it may be too hot for a 13B-T block.

186 with normal driving, 190 with harder driving.

170* normal, 185* on the dyno. She'll creep to 185* waiting for an auto-x run and be down to 175* by the end :D

http://fc3spro.com/TECH/MODS/EL/GAUGES/wtemp.htm

I run an electric fan through a Spal controller.
Mines is set to trigger on at 205F and trigger off at 190F.
Keep in mind that the stock Mazda thermostat opens at around 180F.
If you run a stock Mazda thermostat, there is no reason to run a controller below that temperature as you're just fighting the thermostat itself.


-Ted

I was also thinking of an adjustable fan controller, until I found out that the stock thermoswitch switches at 207/195, which is very similar to yours temps and the Rx-8. There is even the relay in the front bumper for the stock electric fan, and could be used as such for a much bigger fan (or both with extra relay).

So your saying 207 isnt too high to turn the main fan on? its just scary when I am used to 180 (which now i see is too low)

The FSM says that the thermostat doesn't even open fully until 203.

***I am getting the feeling that this is too easy of a solution and that someone would have done this already. Is there a reason to NOT do this?***

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DOIP7bvsJCI/S4.../s800/fan1.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DOIP7bvsJCI/S4.../s800/fan2.jpg