Topic: Temps while on Road Course

[Bottoz]

For those that take their Redline/GXP to Road Courses... what are the concerns with temperatures?

After and/or during a 20+ minute session what are the big 3... Water temp, Oil temp and Oil pressure?

Secondary concerns are IAT and rear diff temp. I see that the Solstice racers have an external rear diff cooler. Is it a precaution, or necessissity?

[Carbon Sky]

For those that take their Redline/GXP to Road Courses... what are the concerns with temperatures?

After and/or during a 20+ minute session what are the big 3... Water temp, Oil temp and Oil pressure?

Secondary concerns are IAT and rear diff temp. I see that the Solstice racers have an external rear diff cooler. Is it a precaution, or necessissity?

I'd say your #1 concern should be brakes.

[Bottoz]

Roger that, I'm aware of brakes. Curious about fluids.

[Imaj]

I have had problems with cooling. 90+ temps and you better be watching your DIC! I ran at 98 degrees and had to stop after seeing my temp light come on and the DIC showed 248. I have never had a problem with anything else fluid wise. Keep in mind that when I have a race day I am running 5 20 min sessions per day. Good luck and enjoy!

[Bottoz]

Thanks for the info... do you have any other aftermarket temp gauges? Are tuned/making more power than stock?

Ah, just remembered... when tuning, we noticed that the stock map has the radiator fan set only for full blast at around 236 and above. Tuner friend lowered it to around 220, with a more agressive ramp down to 210.

[Imaj]

No aftermarket gauges. I do have a tune and other mods putting down around 310whp.

[kennysabarese]

I wouldn't worry about the diff on such short sessions. I have done track days for a few years and never had a problem. My engine temp goes into the 220's and I make sure to let it cool down a while before shutting it off.

I have brake ducts. That's where you really need cooling. DOT4 fluid from Ate and you need better brake pads.

[Bottoz]

Thanks Kenny. Oil temp usually follows Water temp... so if you're hitting 220 then that seems safe. Are you running regular Dex-Cool, straight water, or a water/coolant/water wetter mix?

[kennysabarese]

Whatever came in the car. I have 30k miles and haven't touched the coolant. I'm getting into the 220's I've hit 230. But I know the car will shut down if it gets too hot. There are vendors that make a larger radiator, but I wouldn't worry about it.

I've never had a car with digital temp gauge before.  I don't know what the "red line" is for the temp, but on a normal gauge there is definitely a range.

[miller11386]

280 is usually the max on most GM gauges. 210 is straight up.

I would imagine that if I saw ~240 i would be stopping and letting her cool off for a bit.

[kennysabarese]

I just looked at a few other cars and if the norm is around 190 the max is in the 240's

The best thing to do to cool down the engine is to get in clean air. I've noticed this on the track first hand. Either give a gap or go faster and get in front of everyone

[Bottoz]

Yeah, when I road race my 944, I usually hover between 210 and 220. But if I'm nose to tail for a lap or so (not getting fresh air), It'll rise to 230+. If I back off for a few turns, it drops to normal 'racing' temp.  I have 2 water temp gauges in that car, one stock and one aftermarket... one right after the radiator, and one kind of in the middle of flow. Needless to say I like to see what the engine is doing.

Here in Colorado, due to the thin dry air we see even higher water temps than lower elevations. After a few years of ownership, I might turn the Sky into a track only car... maybe...

[kennysabarese]

You have a 944. That's awesome. I do HPDE with the PCA.

I think the 944 will be better than the Kappa on the track. But I'm very interested in your impressions actually.

[Bottoz]

Yep Kenny, I've watched your video playing with the Porsches at the Glen. Looks fun! My 944 is a full 944SPEC, wheel to wheel car. It absolutely is a track only car... but I still need to get the SKY out there on the track!

[kennysabarese]

Cool. Please let me know how it goes.

I'd recommend CarboTech brake pads since you know what you are doing. I love mine. SOB loves his.

[Bottoz]

XP10 and XP8 combo, right?

[kennysabarese]

That's what I run, but they are too noisy for the street