pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

I plan on doing some road racing at your average track in the near future.

I heard that a PS cooler is a necessity. Is this true?

If so recommend me one that isnt anyhting too crazy. Also, one that is easy to install and not going to add much weight.

nascarnate326

iTrader: (1)

What track are you thinking?

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

You should already have one in your car!

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

Thinking of doing waterford, Michigan.

Pretty sure the stock ps cooler is a piece of junk, im referring to bypassing that and getting a dedicated cooler.

Think if i left it alone and just did one track day without too much hotlapping, i would be ok?

skorpion317

iTrader: (8)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...r-install.html

I installed a Turn One pump and a Flex-a-lite cooler. The power steering fluid stays cool, and the steering effort is barely increased.

The factory cooler is a joke. It uses hot coolant to "cool" the power steering fluid. They can break down and allow coolant and power steering fluid to mix.

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

Ok i plan on doing some upgrades, but will the system survive a day at the track with the current setup?

FASTFATBOY

iTrader: (23)

Put Red Line synthetic fluid at the very least. Tie wrap a rag or scrunchy around the cap.

If it blows the cap off(mine did, most don't) buy another cap and drill a small hole through the top for venting.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Sure, no problem. The car was originally tested with this system - so its adequate... just not durable... or reliable... or high performing....

So, you can go nuts at the track, but I'd suggest planning to put in a new cooler. Yes, the stock cooler comes off the radiator outlet, which is "hot," but not as hot as you might think. Its actually on the "cool" side of the radiator and will cool the PS fluid to around 170-180*F. An improved cooler will only drop that temperature by 20-30*F, so in the grand scheme of things - its not that big of a deal to run/race that way for a short period of time.


If you are going to do a lot of track work, the TurnOne pump makes sense. Here's an article on that: http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...all/index.html


When you replace the cooler, I recommend going with a rail type cooler like this: https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...g-success.html

The rail cooler doesn't require active air flow over it to do its job, so you don't have to put it in the air stream and possibly upset the aerodynamics of the car and/or create more drag.

FASTFATBOY

iTrader: (23)

PSC pumps are $100 exchange and work very well.

Here is my cooler install