I'm just saying the thermostat is one more thing to fark up, if only for it being an extra (heavy) thing hanging off the block, and an extra sealing surface, and if you want a sandwich plate for sensors that is another one, then you would have to relocate the filter...more lines, more stuff to leak/burst.
So I have one SINGLE sandwich plate which gives me AN-10 off takes for the cooler and two ports for sensors.
It keeps it simple.
...and my cooler is located in the grill and is easily accessible. If I want to cover it, it would take minutes.
Ok so my car will not instantly be optimal for street driving on one hand and track on the other, but who's car really is? Unless it is some sort of transformer car and the street tyres tuck up and slicks come out, and the fluids change themselves, and a helmet goes on your head like Inspector gadget LOL?