Cooling for track use?
Cooling for track use?
So over heated this weekend at the track and would rather not have it happen again. I could not find a logical answer so I thought I'd just ask.
Currently have a HR Z with a Z1 34R oil cooler, and this is what I'm thinking of doing.
- KOYO radiator (Z1 said this is the biggest drop in HR radiator made that does not need modifications, 36mm)
- water wetter/distilled water instead of coolant (I live in Northern California, won't hit under 30 degrees lol)
- NISMO thermostat (is that even nessecary?)
^ that setup in theory should hold the cars temps yes?
This is with a stock bumper so I know not a lot of air flow gets in compared to some aftermarket ones (v2, amuse, etc)
And what are some of your track cooling Setups? I know DEs don't over heat as bad as HRs and Z34s.
Thanks all.
Currently have a HR Z with a Z1 34R oil cooler, and this is what I'm thinking of doing.
- KOYO radiator (Z1 said this is the biggest drop in HR radiator made that does not need modifications, 36mm)
- water wetter/distilled water instead of coolant (I live in Northern California, won't hit under 30 degrees lol)
- NISMO thermostat (is that even nessecary?)
^ that setup in theory should hold the cars temps yes?
This is with a stock bumper so I know not a lot of air flow gets in compared to some aftermarket ones (v2, amuse, etc)
And what are some of your track cooling Setups? I know DEs don't over heat as bad as HRs and Z34s.
Thanks all.
Last edited by SE5spd; Jul 3, 2013 at 03:48 PM.
Some other options -
- Radiator shroud with high output fans.
- Oil pan spacer / new oil pan to increase capacity further with the cooler and would give you a place install a oil temp gauge.
Not sure how serious you are about tracking or how often you'll do it so that could play into it as well.
Also curious for answers on this. I too have a HR that had heat problems (had to back off my pace before gauge hit H) at a Buttonwillow event (80-90 ambient). Now running mostly distilled water + oil cooler with keeping overall temps down in mind also, but have not tested this setup yet. Hoping there is an easy solution other than swapping out radiators/oil pans.
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Those will help lower temps, though I never saw much improvement with a fluid additive. My DE use to get quite hot in AZ during auto-x, but never "overheated".
Some other options -
- Radiator shroud with high output fans.
- Oil pan spacer / new oil pan to increase capacity further with the cooler and would give you a place install a oil temp gauge.
Not sure how serious you are about tracking or how often you'll do it so that could play into it as well.
Some other options -
- Radiator shroud with high output fans.
- Oil pan spacer / new oil pan to increase capacity further with the cooler and would give you a place install a oil temp gauge.
Not sure how serious you are about tracking or how often you'll do it so that could play into it as well.
A 30 second autox run is a little less intense then a 25 min track session lol, and as for ww/water I've been hearing more and more to use it not 100% set on it yet though.
Also curious for answers on this. I too have a HR that had heat problems (had to back off my pace before gauge hit H) at a Buttonwillow event (80-90 ambient). Now running mostly distilled water + oil cooler with keeping overall temps down in mind also, but have not tested this setup yet. Hoping there is an easy solution other than swapping out radiators/oil pans.
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Although that's not the most ideal way to have the cooler mounted relative to the radiator, you shouldn't be having that severe of cooling issues...
When the temp gauge hit "H" was it a gradual climb or did it more rapidly go from normal to operating temps to "H"?
A more slow and even climb would suggest an over-worked cooling system, a rapid and sudden jump might suggest a blown head gasket or some other source of over-pressurizing the system or introduction of air.
When the temp gauge hit "H" was it a gradual climb or did it more rapidly go from normal to operating temps to "H"?
A more slow and even climb would suggest an over-worked cooling system, a rapid and sudden jump might suggest a blown head gasket or some other source of over-pressurizing the system or introduction of air.
Although that's not the most ideal way to have the cooler mounted relative to the radiator, you shouldn't be having that severe of cooling issues...
When the temp gauge hit "H" was it a gradual climb or did it more rapidly go from normal to operating temps to "H"?
A more slow and even climb would suggest an over-worked cooling system, a rapid and sudden jump might suggest a blown head gasket or some other source of over-pressurizing the system or introduction of air.
When the temp gauge hit "H" was it a gradual climb or did it more rapidly go from normal to operating temps to "H"?
A more slow and even climb would suggest an over-worked cooling system, a rapid and sudden jump might suggest a blown head gasket or some other source of over-pressurizing the system or introduction of air.
Although that's not the most ideal way to have the cooler mounted relative to the radiator, you shouldn't be having that severe of cooling issues...
When the temp gauge hit "H" was it a gradual climb or did it more rapidly go from normal to operating temps to "H"?
A more slow and even climb would suggest an over-worked cooling system, a rapid and sudden jump might suggest a blown head gasket or some other source of over-pressurizing the system or introduction of air.
When the temp gauge hit "H" was it a gradual climb or did it more rapidly go from normal to operating temps to "H"?
A more slow and even climb would suggest an over-worked cooling system, a rapid and sudden jump might suggest a blown head gasket or some other source of over-pressurizing the system or introduction of air.
So, it was more rapid temp jump. If HG didn't blew then it might be a radiator cap not holding pressure.
It was not a rapid jump in the gauge. Also iirc 06-08 Zs gauges aren't progressive they're linear? So once you've overheated it goes from normal and climbs up to the top.
Anyway were getting off topic, I was tracking a later VQ in hot weather, I'm trying to get help on how to keep it cooler (if my list is a good idea, or is there a better solution for HR Zs)
Anyway were getting off topic, I was tracking a later VQ in hot weather, I'm trying to get help on how to keep it cooler (if my list is a good idea, or is there a better solution for HR Zs)
I plan to shroud my radiator and oil cooler, I want to get a pan spacer so I can run more oil (takes longer to get hotter) and I can rewire my oil temp gauge.
A 30 second autox run is a little less intense then a 25 min track session lol, and as for ww/water I've been hearing more and more to use it not 100% set on it yet though.
A 30 second autox run is a little less intense then a 25 min track session lol, and as for ww/water I've been hearing more and more to use it not 100% set on it yet though.
I would just start with your list as you suggested. Most options have been mentioned, needs to be trial and error.
You said you drove home fine, how far was the drive to the track? How long did the car sit before starting your run? An hour drive in traffic in 91 degree weather before hand could contribute.
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Two other thoughts: make sure your low-and-high epeed fans are operating. Also, make sure you have no air bubbles trapped anywhere in the cooling system.
No doubt, I just never had temp issues in a HPDE so just an example. Are you in NASA?
I would just start with your list as you suggested. Most options have been mentioned, needs to be trial and error.
You said you drove home fine, how far was the drive to the track? How long did the car sit before starting your run? An hour drive in traffic in 91 degree weather before hand could contribute.
I would just start with your list as you suggested. Most options have been mentioned, needs to be trial and error.
You said you drove home fine, how far was the drive to the track? How long did the car sit before starting your run? An hour drive in traffic in 91 degree weather before hand could contribute.
After letting the car sit a bit and cool down I started it to see, the cars turned on. Someone made a suggestion that I had air in my system, so it could be a possibility.
Last edited by SE5spd; Jul 4, 2013 at 10:40 AM.