heat delete

Normally, the heater core is used to extract heat out of the water. If you loop the circuit back to the pump, you will be sending hot water back into the pump. A better solution is to plug both ends, or to install a shut-off valve into the hose.
Or maybe Michigan summers are just not that hot, for this to be an issue.

Oh come on man. :D
I think you are reaching a bit there AJ, as stopping the flow isn't going to make any more difference than not having the core hooked up at all. (or looping it back into the pump)

A degree or two at best.
I have run my own car here in AZ in the summer with all that disconnected and even looped back and it made zero difference in anything (except it was cooler inside the car from not having a core full of hot coolant right at my feet) :D

You know I have to give you grief once in awhile, right? LOL