It's good to have a lively discussion. But post like the one you quoted are from basic mechanics or some engineer guy how thinks in theory not facts. People who actually tune and modify cars know that the opposite is true.

10 degrees in temp is not going to significantly change your air fuel ratio it plays zero role in keeping a fuel injected computer controlled car in open loop vs closed loop operation.. There's a reason why high performance cars have the lower stats and why lower temp stats are available by companies like hypertech and many others. There is a lower temp T-stat available for just about every performance car on the market and there has been for at least 20 years, I think 30 years of tunning makes the above argument a null and void point.

When I say theory vs fact it's the fact they have never scanned the vehicle to check the differences in AF/RATIO, knock count, 02 sensor reading, exhaust gas temp, engine coolant temp and engine block temps to prove the basis of their theory.

That's the difference between a tuner and a basic mechanic or a engineer who knows how something is supposed to work but does not know all the variables that can make it work better. Also the difference between the two is we know that the cars ECM is designed to adjust itself to changes and keep the AF ratio as close to what it is set at. Again changing the STAT will not significantly alter your AF Ratio. Also these guys have no concept of engine detonation all it's ill effects, especially on fuel economy, increased emissions, increased combustion temperatures, all which physically not theoretically cause engine wear.

So the bottom line is running a 180F stat or drilled stat will NOT keep your engine in "warm up mode" aka open loop, nor will it cause the ECM to alter the fuel map and use more fuel. What it will do is keep knock down, reduce under hood temps and also allow for more ignition advance. Every degree of knock is about 3 wheel horsepower lost. It will also not throw a engine code something it would do if the engine was out of normal operation.

Operating temp depends on the cooling system, mainly the radiator, and the flow from the pump, it's only going to take out so much with X amount of flow and that's relative to the valve sizing of the stat and how far it moves per degree and the ambient temperature.

Dropping a 180 T-stat into your ride or doing the drill modification isn't really going to hurt it in any way, the temperature rating is for the opening not operating. Operating temp depends on the cooling system, mainly the radiator, and the flow from the pump, it's only going to take out so much with X amount of flow and that's relative to the valve sizing of the stat and how far it moves per degree and the ambient temperature.

It's a closed system, it's going to balance at some point and stay there.

Hopefully this is a little clearer in my early morning rant