M-tuned Thermostat Housing proper placement?

[mx54life]

Hey guys, what is the proper placement of the the M-tuned thermostat housing? I did not have the kit that is why I have no idea as to how far the housing should be from the adaptor. I just based my placement from the old pics I saw in some threads. Is this about right? How long should the hose be for the housing to connect to the adaptor? Thanks in advance.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/a578/ebaradas/IMG_2813_zpswfymi4lk.jpg (http://s1284.photobucket.com/user/ebaradas/media/IMG_2813_zpswfymi4lk.jpg.html)

[freedomgli]

What you've got is fine. I had the complete kit with the two supplied water hoses (short and long) and mine is in about the same location as yours. On Facebook I asked 949Racing (https://www.facebook.com/SuperMiata/posts/907892039264355) why they inverted their placement of the t-stat housing on their "Taxi" demo car, putting it just inches away from the radiator instead of in the location near the water outlet on the back of the head as recommended in the M-tuned installation instructions. Their response was because of packaging constraints and owner desires. So even though I'd read many arguments on Miataturbo.net about how close the t-stat should be to the back of the head (some saying inside the head was ideal), apparently, it doesn't make all that big of a difference in the real world. Granted, a track only car in SoCal may have different needs than a year round daily driver in MN. As they say, YMMV.

[mx54life]

^^^Thanks! Well with the thermostat in front it is also away from the head come to think of it. And since it is ok I will move mine a couple inches more out then when my 90 deg silicone elbow comes so I can get the housing to a more serviceable spot.

[freedomgli]

Yeah, I'm thinking about redoing mine with a combination of aluminum hard pipe and silicone hoses. I don't care if it introduces more potential failure points due to more hose clamps. I'd rather have it neat and tidy and easily serviceable. Moving the tstat housing to a more favorable location may also help me reduce potential contact points between the water hoses and other objects in the engine bay that can result in wear and tear.

[Hyper]

The holy grail is for sale

[mx54life]

Yeah, I'm thinking about redoing mine with a combination of aluminum hard pipe and silicone hoses. I don't care if it introduces more potential failure points due to more hose clamps. I'd rather have it neat and tidy and easily serviceable. Moving the tstat housing to a more favorable location may also help me reduce potential contact points between the water hoses and other objects in the engine bay that can result in wear and tear.

Ha "neat and tidy" it is. Lol I just actually purchased a 1.25" alloy tube to assemble the OEM thermostat neck + Kia thermo housing all welded together with the M-tuned adaptor so only one S-shaped hose connector toward the radiator much like OEM and eventually replace the M-tuned thermo housing.

At the moment I lengthened the angle as I wanted to lessen or ease-up the bends good thing I also have a windshield fluid reroute so the reservoir will have to go to the driver side of the rain tunnel. But also it still allows me to do oil changes from the top. Not fully assembled yet but here how the plumbing looks...

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/a578/ebaradas/IMG_2815_zpslkja01lo.jpg (http://s1284.photobucket.com/user/ebaradas/media/IMG_2815_zpslkja01lo.jpg.html)

[freedomgli]

I also have a windshield fluid reroute so the reservoir will have to go to the driver side of the rain tunnel.
Nice. I removed my washer tank for now but will likely do the Nopro/Suzuki bottle in the cowl.