Hey guys,

I'm a relative newbie to the track world, having only gone once, but truly fell in love with it. Going again this month and had a quick Q for all of you:

Do you feel it's necessary to upgrade the stock radiator for the track? I'm running in Pahrump so it will definitely be very hot. Also, I already have the Mugen thermostat and fan switch upgrade.

TIA

-sam

 

No, you'll be fine. Just make sure the coolant levels are up to spec.

 

Sweet, thanks. I didn't want to have to spend more $$$ on a new radiator.

-sam

 

Not a problem at all. I've raced at Willow Springs in 120 degree weather and not gotten over three bars. Make sure you do a proper cool down after each session if it's really hot. You might even want to cruise around the paddock for a couple of minutes after your cool down lap or leave the engine running for a few minutes after stopping. Once you kill the engine the water stops circulating. On very hot days I have seen people's engines actually get into the 4-5 bar range AFTER they've parked it.

 

Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in dirty air (as in 2 ft off someones rear bumper), the OEM cooling system is more than addequate.

 

And if you're spending a lot of time in dirty air (i.e., 2 feet off someone's rear bumper), you're not Ryan...

 

No problems here, even with a front Euro license plate, on long uphill racetracks in the summer.

I've never seen more than 3 bars on this car. Cooling laps are more important for your brakes than anything else, if you have stock components.

Track is fun, isn't it?

///Robin

 

One caveat: I'd argue that the OEM system is being stretched if you're forced induction and have an intercooler blocking some of the airflow. I had to upgrade radiators after seeing my coolant temps rise to 225+ degrees on the track. Hiya Robin, did you get my email about the Nurburgring?