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]

Hello there 914-4me & valco Oscar ! Thanks for chiming in...
I will contact Renegade re: thermo placement.

Oscar & I have very similar projects at the moment. He is just getting back to work on his LS project, where mine is complete & a driver.
Seems we have a lot to discuss.
Still no answer to my question though... where & how to put the thermostat for a LS-1 conversion.

best to all teeners... Terry

[drifter914]

Hello there 914-4me & valco Oscar ! Thanks for chiming in...
I will contact Renegade re: thermo placement.

Oscar & I have very similar projects at the moment. He is just getting back to work on his LS project, where mine is complete & a driver.
Seems we have a lot to discuss.
Still no answer to my question though... where & how to put the thermostat for a LS-1 conversion.

best to all teeners... Terry

Got it ! My original idea to put the t-stat near the engine in the hose leading to the radiator was correct, but failed due to my lack of understanding of the electric water pump being used. It has no internal bypass.
Realizing that & using a trick picked up from old school racers, I drilled 4 x 1/8" holes in the t-stat flange & re-installed it in the outlet hose from engine to radiator.
Coolant temp went up to 197*, then dropped back to 194* when the 195 * t-stat I'm using opened.
So happy to solve this problem. Thanks to all who helped me along to this solution !
Terry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)