HOW TO: Thermostat Install

PontiacGT2K · 06-02-2003, 12:33 AM

Remove battery (helps in next step, gives you more space to work with)
Remove Air Box (whole thing)
Remove MAF sensor
Remove grommet connecting MAF and throttle body
remove surge tank line from coolant outlet(thermostat housing)
Remove the coolant outlet(thermostat housing) to the inlet manifold attaching bolts
pull back coolant outlet, give enough space for for thermostat to pass in/out
replace thermostat

reverse process for re-install

PontiacGT2K · 06-02-2003, 09:52 AM

On a side note...this thing is almost impossible to do without taking off the exhaust manifold. I didn't take it off, but this whole thing took me like 3 hours. I bet it woulda been a lot quicker had I taken it off. (in the pictures, it's that silver square pipe that is right next to the the thermostat housing, about 4" wide)

The thermostat housing in pictures=the coolant outlet in instructions.

PontiacGT2K · 06-02-2003, 09:55 AM

In this pic you can see the top bolt holding on the coolant outlet. The bottom one is a little below and to the right of that one. Unless you take off the exhaust manifold, you'll need to use an open ended wrench for that.

PontiacGT2K · 06-02-2003, 09:57 AM

Again, top bolt can be seen, bottom one can't. Top bolt's fairly easy to take off too...just make sure you have it on there good and don't round off the bolt like I did. I had to tap the socketwrench on with a hammer to keep it from rounding off the bolts.

PontiacGT2K · 06-02-2003, 09:59 AM

coolant outlet, or thermostat housing is taken off here. Only half of the thermostat is actually housed in the coolant outlet, rest is in the manifold on the motor. In the picture I believe the thermostat was still sitting in the motor...

PontiacGT2K · 06-02-2003, 10:02 AM

In the end I think this made a huge difference. My car likes to get hot, usually 220 degrees, and it'll drive like **** at that temperature. Now it's like always driving in cold weather. Much better throttle response. Really nice mod, quite the bitch to put in there. The heater still puts out heat, so obviously 180 degrees isn't too cold.

kregersgt · 06-24-2003, 09:21 PM

I found that if you take the throttle body off,it's like three 13mm bolts. It helps give a little bit more room and visability, The tb gasket stays intact also, so you don't have to replace it.

Pacman · 06-25-2003, 12:07 AM

can this be done to the 2.4L's as well? if so, where is it located on a 2.4?

PontiacGT2K · 08-11-2003, 10:04 AM

Molson · 08-11-2003, 10:22 AM

a bump is not required in here. If people are looking for specific HOW-TO, they will scan the pages.

Marksman · 08-20-2003, 06:22 PM

I assume you drain the coolant here? I'm gonna be doing this tomorrow...
-Marksman

ViperGTSR · 08-20-2003, 06:28 PM

yea drain it, or ull have a mess on ur hands

Marksman · 08-21-2003, 01:10 PM

...No longer relevant...

-Marksman

ViperGTSR · 08-21-2003, 01:23 PM

well while the coolant is alredy drained take the black hardline out and that should help some

Marksman · 08-21-2003, 01:38 PM

Hmm, I can't get the hardline out, too many bolts, and it goes way down on the backside of the engine... I was able to slip a 1/4 extension between the black line and the exhaust manifold but now I cannot get the bolt loose. I think they used an air rachet to get that thing on! I'll keep working...
-Marksman

ViperGTSR · 08-21-2003, 01:40 PM

you can get the hardline out, and then move it to the side, u dont need to completely remove it

EDIT: omfg dude, how many 17 yr olds are on this board now???

Marksman · 08-21-2003, 02:09 PM

Ok well I was able to get the bolt loose but I'm out of time. I found the second bolt and there is no way in hell I can get to it without taking out the throttle body at least. I don't have a second car so I can't go any further. I'll just have to wait until I get more time.
Viper: Thanks a lot for your help! I appreciate it!
-Marksman

Kdawg207 · 08-21-2003, 02:29 PM

wtf

thats why i sold mine before i ever installed it..Soo much work for a little mod

I got my 15 bux back

No patience here

Kdawg207 · 08-21-2003, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ViperGTSR_500hp

EDIT: omfg dude, how many 17 yr olds are on this board now???

too many

just playing with ya

PontiacGT2K · 08-21-2003, 08:27 PM

Aww...woosie it's not that hard......

just playin, i hated it too. But when I start something, I'm like "FCUK NO I'M NOT STOPPING 'TIL IT'S DONE"

06-02-2003, 12:33 AM	#1
PontiacGT2K It's coming... AKA: Andy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Charles, Illinois / Milwaukee, Wisconsin (school) Age: 28 Posts: 2,486 Vehicle: '03 350z Touring	HOW TO: Thermostat Install Remove battery (helps in next step, gives you more space to work with) Remove Air Box (whole thing) Remove MAF sensor Remove grommet connecting MAF and throttle body remove surge tank line from coolant outlet(thermostat housing) Remove the coolant outlet(thermostat housing) to the inlet manifold attaching bolts pull back coolant outlet, give enough space for for thermostat to pass in/out replace thermostat reverse process for re-install __________________ Team GMCI "Get the ambulance, my stomach fell out." Last edited by PontiacGT2K; 06-02-2003 at 10:03 AM.

06-02-2003, 10:02 AM	#6
PontiacGT2K It's coming... AKA: Andy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Charles, Illinois / Milwaukee, Wisconsin (school) Age: 28 Posts: 2,486 Vehicle: '03 350z Touring	In the end I think this made a huge difference. My car likes to get hot, usually 220 degrees, and it'll drive like ** at that temperature. Now it's like always driving in cold weather. Much better throttle response. Really nice mod, quite the bitch to put in there. The heater still puts out heat, so obviously 180 degrees isn't too cold. __________________ Team GMCI** "Get the ambulance, my stomach fell out."

06-24-2003, 09:21 PM	#7
kregersgt GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: toledo ohio Age: 45 Posts: 3 Vehicle: 1999 grand am gt 4dr	I found that if you take the throttle body off,it's like three 13mm bolts. It helps give a little bit more room and visability, The tb gasket stays intact also, so you don't have to replace it. __________________ if it ain't broke, break it!!

06-25-2003, 12:07 AM	#8
Pacman GASE Totaled :( Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 28 Posts: 771 Vehicle: 2002 Acura RSX Type-S	can this be done to the 2.4L's as well? if so, where is it located on a 2.4? __________________ Daniel R.I.P. 2000 2.4L Grand Am SE (2000- 12/11/2004)

08-11-2003, 10:04 AM	#9
PontiacGT2K It's coming... AKA: Andy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Charles, Illinois / Milwaukee, Wisconsin (school) Age: 28 Posts: 2,486 Vehicle: '03 350z Touring	bump __________________ Team GMCI "Get the ambulance, my stomach fell out."

08-11-2003, 10:22 AM	#10
Molson Admininadian! AKA: Jim Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Great White Norf Age: 36 Posts: 3,681 Vehicle: 2001 Olds Alero GX	a bump is not required in here. If people are looking for specific HOW-TO, they will scan the pages. __________________ Sig

08-20-2003, 06:22 PM	#11
Marksman Got Street Glow? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND Age: 26 Posts: 331 Vehicle: 2000 Camaro Z-28	I assume you drain the coolant here? I'm gonna be doing this tomorrow... -Marksman __________________ R.I.P. 97 GAGT Welcome 2000 Camaro Z-28!

08-20-2003, 06:28 PM	#12
ViperGTSR i <3 my lanyard AKA: Alex Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: High Desert, SoCal Age: 26 Posts: 2,260 Vehicle: Turbo Biodiesel \| R1	yea drain it, or ull have a mess on ur hands __________________ House mods are the new car mods

08-21-2003, 01:10 PM	#13
Marksman Got Street Glow? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND Age: 26 Posts: 331 Vehicle: 2000 Camaro Z-28	...No longer relevant... -Marksman __________________ R.I.P. 97 GAGT Welcome 2000 Camaro Z-28! Last edited by Marksman; 08-21-2003 at 08:57 PM.

08-21-2003, 01:23 PM	#14
ViperGTSR i <3 my lanyard AKA: Alex Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: High Desert, SoCal Age: 26 Posts: 2,260 Vehicle: Turbo Biodiesel \| R1	well while the coolant is alredy drained take the black hardline out and that should help some __________________ House mods are the new car mods

08-21-2003, 01:38 PM	#15
Marksman Got Street Glow? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND Age: 26 Posts: 331 Vehicle: 2000 Camaro Z-28	Hmm, I can't get the hardline out, too many bolts, and it goes way down on the backside of the engine... I was able to slip a 1/4 extension between the black line and the exhaust manifold but now I cannot get the bolt loose. I think they used an air rachet to get that thing on! I'll keep working... -Marksman __________________ R.I.P. 97 GAGT Welcome 2000 Camaro Z-28!

08-21-2003, 01:40 PM	#16
ViperGTSR i <3 my lanyard AKA: Alex Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: High Desert, SoCal Age: 26 Posts: 2,260 Vehicle: Turbo Biodiesel \| R1	you can get the hardline out, and then move it to the side, u dont need to completely remove it EDIT: omfg dude, how many 17 yr olds are on this board now??? __________________ House mods are the new car mods

08-21-2003, 02:09 PM	#17
Marksman Got Street Glow? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND Age: 26 Posts: 331 Vehicle: 2000 Camaro Z-28	Ok well I was able to get the bolt loose but I'm out of time. I found the second bolt and there is no way in hell I can get to it without taking out the throttle body at least. I don't have a second car so I can't go any further. I'll just have to wait until I get more time. Viper: Thanks a lot for your help! I appreciate it! -Marksman __________________ R.I.P. 97 GAGT Welcome 2000 Camaro Z-28!

08-21-2003, 08:27 PM	#20
PontiacGT2K It's coming... AKA: Andy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Charles, Illinois / Milwaukee, Wisconsin (school) Age: 28 Posts: 2,486 Vehicle: '03 350z Touring	Aww...woosie it's not that hard...... just playin, i hated it too. But when I start something, I'm like "FCUK NO I'M NOT STOPPING 'TIL IT'S DONE" __________________ Team GMCI "Get the ambulance, my stomach fell out."

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