I bought an off the shelf M-tuned coolant reroute and did a little custom fab to improve it. The original reroute relies on the 2mm hole in the thermostat to flow warm coolant over it before it opens. This never sat well with me since that's pretty much a static column of water from the back of the motor to the relocated T-stat.

Quickie fab/modification to the M-tuned T-stat housing:





The hot water flows directly over (or against) the T-stat before returning to the heater core as compared to before where the water pretty much bypassed the T-stat entirely and relied on convection/system heat soak to trigger the T-Stat.

 

Teach me. I don't understand why a static column is bad. If it's not up to temp, then.?

 

The hole is to let air through so you can bleed the cooling system. Convection takes care of opening the thermostat.

 

Ummm, water doesn't enter there in the back of the engine....and its the water pump inlet on the side of the engine.

This will still work, but you have the flow path backwards.

 

I was confused, when comparing my other knowledge.

 

He's a little confused too

 

Every time I have a brilliant idea, I do the research to make sure it's not something someone else already considered. 9 out of 10 times, someone has

In this case, I think aidan is right

 

I'm always right.

It will work, but not for the reason you think it will.

 

you probably could have put more holes in the t-stat

 

it will just have to make a 270* turn
still better than the stupid begi "racer re-route"

 

Yeah. Heater flow might be compromised.

 

Yeah... The one I worked with, I just drilled a couple more holes in the thermostat. Heater outlet is blocked. No heater core in the car.

 

He is thinking the direction of flow backwards, but the concept is sound and should work well. Hot coolant will travel from the head, through the large hose, then out the small one to the heater. Thus hot coolant (when the engine warms) will cause he TStat to open and send some / most / of the hot coolant to the radiator, while some portion continues through the heater core and on to the mixing manifold.

 

I'd be more worried about loosing flow to the heater core because of the angle.

 

Assuming the hose attached to the welded fitting goes to the heater core (which is what I assume the OP meant by "back of the engine," then this is a good thing. It corrects the one minor design flaw in the M-tuned hardware, and makes it functionally equivalent to the traditional DIY reroute using the spacer and the Kia water neck.

 

every time i read a thread with this same title im never disappointed.

 

Then you must not know how a miata cooling system works. I expected more from you, Mr. know it all.

Thermostats have notches in the sealing flange to prevent a static columb, cook one in a pot of water and you'll see what I mean. I wouldn't even rip the air bleed float pin out and certainly no extra holes, because that's what kills heater core action.

 

and what happens when there is too much flow to the heater core?

 

When the thermostat is open. Not close.

No such thing as too much heater flow

 

Oh.

Well, 99.9% of coolant reroutes work just fine with a heater core at right angle because the heater core is low pressure compared to the block, thermostat open or not.