LS-1 conversion advice needed, Problem solved ! See pg.2 Options

[drifter914]

I have a '76 914 with a 2000 LS-1 engine & Renegade kit I have been sorting out over the past 2 years. It's now a dependable, roadworthy car w/ '84 Carrera front suspension. rear Rebel Racing Bilstein coilovers w/ 200# springs, etc, a dedicated aluminum V-8 conversion, pretty well sorted & a joy to drive !
However, the car came to me with no T-stat in the cooling system & this engine needs a thermostat to run properly.
Where & how do I install one ? I have a 3-port electric water pump mounted near the alternator on lower left side of engine. It has a large (1.25") hose on center port and 2 smaller hoses top & bottom, all located in front, center plate of pump.
The plumbing details of this cooling system are somewhat complicated, but I'm assuming they are properly arranged, as the car always runs cool.

I have an aluminum T-stat housing made to be installed in line in a 1.25" dia. hose.
Both lines running to & from the radiator are 1.25", as is the center port hose on the water pump. Not sure if I can use the housing, but I have it if needed.

So, where should I locate the thermostat & how ?
Ideally the button side of it would be next to the hot water from engine so it can open at the prescribed temp.

Hoping for a solution here.. I realize this is an air cooled forum, but have been a member here long enough to know there are many of you running SBC conversions & hoping someone will have the correct answer.
Thanks for helping... Terry

[DickSteinkamp]

I think Daryl has a traditional small block.

It looks like an LS does things the opposite of the traditional Small Block and restricts the water coming into the water pump from the rad...not the other way around...

LS cooling system



"The thermostat is located in an area between the engine and the radiator. The classic small-block Chevy V8 located the thermostat on the "outlet" side of the motor, in the intake manifold. When cold, the thermostat was closed, and this prevented flow of coolant to the radiator. When the engine warmed up, the thermostat opened and coolant was allowed to flow to the radiator and back to the engine. The newer third- and fourth-gen GM V8's locate the thermostat on the "inlet" side of the motor - specifically in the inlet housing of the water pump. With this design, when cold, coolant is pumped through the rad, but is prevented from returning to the engine until the temperature of the thermostat has been reached, at which point the thermostat opens and the cooled coolant returns to the engine."

LS Thermostat