Track Days and overheating? help!
Track Days and overheating? help! The last time I went to Road Atlanta my car would run hot (in the red) after about 5 hard laps. I was ease up, short shift for 2-3 laps and the temps would go back to normal. This happened all day long.
I added water wetter and the level was good. The system wasn't boiling over. I ran some higher octane fuel.
The car never runs hot on the street. Take a look at my sig.
I do run a modified thermostat. It is shimmed so it opens earlier. Could this be part of my problem?
I have some track event coming up and I don't want them to be spoiled by an overheating car.
I added water wetter and the level was good. The system wasn't boiling over. I ran some higher octane fuel.
The car never runs hot on the street. Take a look at my sig.
I do run a modified thermostat. It is shimmed so it opens earlier. Could this be part of my problem?
I have some track event coming up and I don't want them to be spoiled by an overheating car.
Re: Track Days and overheating? help! I've had radiator hoses collapse under high RPMs.
Have you changed hoses?
I have a 160* thermostat. Does your open sooner than that?
Is your air dam collapsing or deforming under high speeds diverting air somewhere besides your radiator?
Have you ever cleaned out your radiator? I had a WalMart bag in their one time.
Have you run your heater to help with the cooling?
Mine will run 210-220 after a solid 20 minute session, but never close to the red ...
Have you changed hoses?
I have a 160* thermostat. Does your open sooner than that?
Is your air dam collapsing or deforming under high speeds diverting air somewhere besides your radiator?
Have you ever cleaned out your radiator? I had a WalMart bag in their one time.
Have you run your heater to help with the cooling?
Mine will run 210-220 after a solid 20 minute session, but never close to the red ...
Re: Track Days and overheating? help! Mitch,
I have never changed my hoses. Car is a 99' model with 67k miles. What hoses do you recomend?
I was running at high rpms, redline is set a 6600rpm and I ran it to about that ever shift when it ran hot. When I started shifting earlier and breathing off full throttle well before the end of the straights it would cool down.
Also I am not sure where the thermo opens, never tested it, just shimmed it so it was barely closed at room temp.
Clean the radiator, such the exterior?
I have flushed the coolant and I removed the radiator recently and hosed off the fins.
I did try running the heat. No help.
I have never changed my hoses. Car is a 99' model with 67k miles. What hoses do you recomend?
I was running at high rpms, redline is set a 6600rpm and I ran it to about that ever shift when it ran hot. When I started shifting earlier and breathing off full throttle well before the end of the straights it would cool down.
Also I am not sure where the thermo opens, never tested it, just shimmed it so it was barely closed at room temp.
Clean the radiator, such the exterior?
I have flushed the coolant and I removed the radiator recently and hosed off the fins.
I did try running the heat. No help.
Re: Track Days and overheating? help! I would definitely change hoses. If nothing else, it's time ... I used Genuine GM hoses. You can check, though. Get the car good and warmed up ... 190-210. Pop the hood and rev the motor. Watch the hoses for any collapse. It will be obvious ...
Invest the $60 and get a real thermostat. If this "shimming" was the culprit, it almost cost you a motor ... I've had VERY good luck with my Hypertech thermo ...
Buzzing it to 6600 probably had the water pump churning. It might just be that you are over reving the accessories ...
And yes the exterior of the radiator. I get all kinds of crap up in there ...
Invest the $60 and get a real thermostat. If this "shimming" was the culprit, it almost cost you a motor ... I've had VERY good luck with my Hypertech thermo ...
Buzzing it to 6600 probably had the water pump churning. It might just be that you are over reving the accessories ...
And yes the exterior of the radiator. I get all kinds of crap up in there ...
Re: Track Days and overheating? help! Get a hypertech 160 thermo. My car never sees over 185 in Texas heat. Try shifting at 6200, and try to stay off the higher RPMs. They are great for drag racing, but if you lower the rpms, use the torque to carry you and focus on driving, you will go faster. Road Atlanta is a highspeed course, so there is always air going through the radiator.
Do you have any other mods? FTRA? FRA? tell me a little more about your car.
Louis
Do you have any other mods? FTRA? FRA? tell me a little more about your car.
Louis
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 400
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From: New Hampshire
Re: Track Days and overheating? help! I run at NHIS' road course....
I have NEVER gone above the 210 mark on the guage. I'm not continuously at red-line, either.
As noted above, try using your torque instead of RPM (use a higher gear).
Also, be sure you do not have more than 50% antifreeze (antifreeze does not transfer heat as well as water)....less is even better.
'00 WS6 T/A, A4 converted to M6, lots of suspension mods, home built brake ducts, minor engine bolt-ons, Kuhmo V-700s for the track
I have NEVER gone above the 210 mark on the guage. I'm not continuously at red-line, either.
As noted above, try using your torque instead of RPM (use a higher gear).
Also, be sure you do not have more than 50% antifreeze (antifreeze does not transfer heat as well as water)....less is even better.
'00 WS6 T/A, A4 converted to M6, lots of suspension mods, home built brake ducts, minor engine bolt-ons, Kuhmo V-700s for the track
Re: Track Days and overheating? help! I changed to SLP 160 degree thermo and replaced upper and lower hose. The coolant temp. didn't rise above 210 at VIR yesterday.
