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

[drifter914]

Wow ! By inquiring from the Forum, I have realized how much I have to learn about the LS-1 & it's systems I am dealing with ! The cooling system in particular at this point. DickS has made a huge contribution with the link he provided, reads like the bible on LS cooling systems. Not sure I understand it all yet, but will study it until I do. The one thing that sets mine apart is the remote water pump (Meziere).
No t-stat housing incorporated like the stock LS-1 pump, so by reading Dick's link I would be inclined to cut the hose coming from the radiator just ahead of the large center port on the water pump & install the aluminum t-stat housing there with the "button" facing .... which way?
I've tried 2 locations so far: 1) just ahead of the upper radiator connection... fail, engine overheated before hot water got far enough to open the t-stat. Made me wonder if a bypass type t-stat might work better... eliminate the pressure stoppage behind t-stat. 2). below the Renegade collector box where the hose to the inlet side of rad starts... same result. Again, a bypass t-stat might work. I can make one & try it if it comes back to that.
However it appears the LS system places the t-stat in the return line from rad, just before pump.... any comments ?
I'm still undecided what to do next, but would like to make it my last & a successful attempt !

(914-4 me... great link (video) about the steam lines on the LS engines. Mine has 2 at the front corners of the engine that vent into the pressure canister (fill tank)
that has a pressure cap & may act as a pressure tank as mentioned in Dicks link.
All for now... but many thanks for the good input so far !
I want to add some pics of the car I took today, but may have to start a new thread.
See what I can do here first.
Later... Terry [attachmentid=730
967]