How do you get your car to warm up quickly?

[Compaq888]

when i replaced the coolant temp sensor on my last car the car would go into overdrive sooner by 1.5 miles. The ecu won't allow the car to go into overdrive if the engine is cold.

[TheIVJackal]

Are there any new ideas on this? The simplest thing I could see doing to my integra is putting back in the Exhaust Silencer to create some more backpressure for EGR purposes which would result in faster heating time. Second, to run a full radiator block which for me is putting a piece of cardboard or plastic infront of the radiator. Ill put the silencer back in and run a couple tanks of gas to see if there is a difference. Then ill put the radiator block in and note any changes there as well. Does that sound good? Any new ideas? Thanks.
- Aaron

[oil pan 4]

You might not want the full radiator block.

[TheIVJackal]

After reading this whole thread, a full block off apparently isnt that big of a deal as long as I pay attention to how often the Radiator fan kicks on and how high the gauge on the dash goes. If a problem arises, I can turn on the heater and cool it that way and/or pull over and move or remove the radiator block. Ill be installing the silencer today.

[ex-x-fire]

Do you guys know that the egr operation actually cools the combustion process chemically? That why it helps w/ spark knock.
Modern engines have a different type of cooling system routing, you'll see more t stat mounted in the lower hose & internal passages that close when the t stat opens & vice versa. Chevy does this on their 3.1/3.4 engines & its vortec v6 &v8s. They warm up alot quick the the older similar engines.
I had a big block heater on a 4.3L s10, the return hose went to the radiator (same side as the lower hose), I could feel the heat being radiatated out there. I did a block off w/ a valve so the heat would stay in the block & heater core(some heat is lost there but the windshield stayed frost free).

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by TheIVJackal

run a full radiator block which for me is putting a piece of cardboard or plastic infront of the radiator.

FYI, a grille block is better than a radiator block.

Better to prevent unwanted airflow from entering the engine compartment in the first place, because you gain aerodynamic PLUS thermal management benefits. 2 birds, one stone.

If you block just the radiator, you still pay an aerodynamic penalty.