Should you run a car without a thermostat?

Just take out the thermostat and test it. See if it pings if the engine is running cooler. Some people say cars will run hotter with out the thermostat. I have never experienced that. Mine always run cooler and never warm up.

What do you mean boost? Is your car forced induction? If the engine temp is 180 then your engine is cooling properly but you could bump down to 160 high flow t-stat if your temp test proves that lower engine temp helps with the pinging. Running lower than 180 will shorten engine life slightly like in a 200 k engine, it may drop your lifetime by 30 % and cause the oil to have to be changed more often so there are drawbacks to running a colder motor. Sometimes low end throttle response and driving in cold weather can be problematic with a colder engine also.

What fuel are you running? How about elaborating completely on your engine build, gear ratio of rear end, transmission gear ratios. Exhaust details from head to tailpipe, carb jetting. Purpose of car. Someone here probably knows alot about pinging.

I had a fresh built 455 ci 10.25 compression with cast iron heads. I had to run a 160 thermostat, colder plugs, and 93 octane gas to keep it from pinging constantly. My rear end gears were 2.21 which added to the ping factor. I ran a 650 carter carb and do not know the jets.