Tracking car hard in hot climate

[wahsm]

Truth, if I have learned one thing from this forum it is do not buy any radiator other than OE.

Koyo radiator has been fantastic for me, well respected for JDM cars. Has more capacity and all aluminum which is a bonus. Fitment is perfect as well.

[zzyzx85]

Koyo radiator has been fantastic for me, well respected for JDM cars. Has more capacity and all aluminum which is a bonus. Fitment is perfect as well.

I've got one waiting for me to install. I also have a Koyo in my STI and it's been great at the track, even during the summer.

[Estoril]

Koyo radiator has been fantastic for me, well respected for JDM cars. Has more capacity and all aluminum which is a bonus. Fitment is perfect as well.

Are you tracking your car in 100 degree temperatures?

[Driver407]

So i had my first event with the E46 out at thunderhill west today. Was about 80* and the car did great! Oil never even made it to the 3 dot and coolant was also a non worry. Guess i was just overthinking it
As everyone stated OEM works and mine hasnt even been refreshed yet.

Usually run a 1:25 in my F80 (ap racing bbk, tc klines,CS tune,apex ec7, nitto nt01). Ended up doing a 1:31 on a pretty much stock E46 with continental extreme sports (came with car). Not to mention this is my first manual car so ive only had 2 months of experience.

[zzyzx85]

Would it be a good idea to throw in a few gallons of 100+ octane (unleaded) in the interest of ping prevention? Any downsides, besides being a waste of money?

[EthanolTurbo]

Would it be a good idea to throw in a few gallons of 100+ octane (unleaded) in the interest of ping prevention? Any downsides, besides being a waste of money?

Would probably be much easier/more convenient to throw in 2-3 gallons of E85. It will give about the same amount of knock protection/octane boost.

[Obioban]

Would it be a good idea to throw in a few gallons of 100+ octane (unleaded) in the interest of ping prevention? Any downsides, besides being a waste of money?

So long as your car is correctly tuned for pump, that's just lighting money on fire.

[zzyzx85]

So long as your car is correctly tuned for pump, that's just lighting money on fire.

the sound of that money burning is pretty great though 🤣

[wahsm]

Are you tracking your car in 100 degree temperatures?

I have yes, handled it well. The stock one was old so could be similar in performance, but additional capacity and all aluminum housing was a bonus for me.

[S14]

Would it be a good idea to throw in a few gallons of 100+ octane (unleaded) in the interest of ping prevention? Any downsides, besides being a waste of money?

When I was dealing with overheating in Colorado, putting a 1/2 tank of 100 octane extended the time it took for the car to overheat. This made me consider the tune's timing might be too aggressive.

[eacmen]

Right now I have my gauges go into warning territory at 200F, engine outlet temp, and go red at 210F.

What on track coolant temps do you guys stop pushing at? Last event I saw 210F and did a cooldown lap.

[dreamdrivedrift]

Bumping an old thread because I am having overheating issues at track.

Setup:
-new OE WP
-new OE thermostat
-50/50 (I think?) BMW coolant
-new CSF radiator
-SPAL puller on N15 bracket
-no aux fan

Situation:
I'd get 1, maximum 2 laps out of the car at Laguna at full tilt, ambient temps in 80s, before water temps would spike 220-230+. Had to short shift 6-6.5k to manage the heat and keep it in the 200s-210s


Reading here, it seems that the consensus is this is probably due to the CSF radiator?
I was planning on replacing it with a DO88 radiator. Reading this thread is giving me second thoughts.
While I'm there, will also plan to put in water wetter and clean out the AC condenser.

Any other suggestions to look into?

[bigjae46]

I'd start with a new AC condenser and go back to a stock radiator. Without more airflow, a thicker radiator will likely not improve cooling at speed.

Look at the stock aero devices...there's a lot more than you'd think. I'd make sure you have the heat shielding over the headers installed. Also JUST learned that your windshield cowl plays a role in cooling. For example, deleting the cabin air filter housing will increase air pressure under the hood which stalls the flow through the radiator.

[dreamdrivedrift]

I'd start with a new AC condenser and go back to a stock radiator. Without more airflow, a thicker radiator will likely not improve cooling at speed.

Look at the stock aero devices...there's a lot more than you'd think. I'd make sure you have the heat shielding over the headers installed. Also JUST learned that your windshield cowl plays a role in cooling. For example, deleting the cabin air filter housing will increase air pressure under the hood which stalls the flow through the radiator.

Yes the whole area is quite blocked off
I am glad at least I don't have aux fan, but even the N15 bracket the SPAL fan is mounted on blocks quite a bit of airflow on the rear side of the rad
Last, there is no exit for airflow on this car. I can imagine proper ducting behind the rad or at least more venting would help dramatically
Appreciate your input though. Can AC condenser be removed from behind or do I need to pull the front end off? I don't have an aux pusher fan.

[bigjae46]

Yes the whole area is quite blocked off
I am glad at least I don't have aux fan, but even the N15 bracket the SPAL fan is mounted on blocks quite a bit of airflow on the rear side of the rad
Last, there is no exit for airflow on this car. I can imagine proper ducting behind the rad or at least more venting would help dramatically
Appreciate your input though. Can AC condenser be removed from behind or do I need to pull the front end off? I don't have an aux pusher fan.

I think you need to pull the radiator out.