Guys,

This is one of those theoretical questions:

I noticed there are a lot of choices for thermostate temp rating.

92' for cold climates, 88' for hotter, but I even saw one rated 86 or something lower (not an OEM installation)

I was thinking, would it be better for the engine to operate at a relatively low temp such as 86'. My logic is lower the temp, less wear on the engine. Less premature combustion (therefore less pinging and knocking)

Because heat softens the metal thus allowing more steel molecules to rub off as the parts turn.