Overheating at CMP

[puzzle13]

For everyone that attended CMP ... we had a really good time with lots of track time. My 03 Vert had some overheating issues and was wondering if any of you had some ideas concerning solving the issue. As per mods ... I am running a 2.8 pulley with aux. idler, BBK cold air intake, BBK twin 65mm throttle body, LFP heat exchanger, Brisk plugs. It was hot this weekend and during each track set at about 2/3 way through my temp would rise to 3/4 and the engine would bog down. After 3 - 4 runs on Saturday with this happening and losing considerable power, I took the car to Dan with PRO DYNO and he went way beyond and retuned the car at 7 pm. We finished in the dark around 8:15 pm. Prior to his tune the car was running lean (air/fuel ratios of 13 - 14 ... we won't comment on who did this tune ), and after his tune the ratios were around 11.5 - 12. He also lowered the temp for the fans to cut on and bypassed the boost. Sunday the car ran better even though it was hotter on the track. I still had the overheating issue, but it took much longer to happen and was not nearly as bad. I removed the protective grills I had on the front openings and this helped a little. After all this I could slow down for one lap and the temps would drop and the Cobra would be back to top form.

Here are a few of the suggestions I have heard so far ... bigger coolant overflow for the supercharger, better radiatior (which one?), porting of supercharger for better flow.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

[Big T]

Sorry I have no help for you but I'm considering what's best to get. I already have the canton expansion overflow tank. I'm about to get a lower pulley with my 2.8 upper and need somethimg to control the heat. Here's what I want to get some feedback on. Anyone with info please help.

1. Heat exchanger
2. racing radiator
3. intercooler reservoir tank

[blk04cobra1]

I would suggest the LFP Race Radiator ($435ish) and one of these...it's hooked to an external pump (turned on by switch in front of shifter) that feeds water in to your lower intercooler...with an ice mix we saw great results on the dyno (10 back to back runs in 100* heat)....yes it takes up trunk space, but it cools the piss out of the car

[InfamousSVT]

I agree with the LFP Race Radiator, I'll be getting one for myself as soon as I find a job to pay some bills.


For the overheating issue, have you replaced your coolant lately? If so make sure that the system is completely free of air (burbed) A friend of mine did this to his car when replacing the fluid and didn't get all the air out and his car would overheat after a while, after he checked the coolant everything was fixed and back to normal..........just a thought

[Big T]

Originally Posted by blk04cobra1

I would suggest the LFP Race Radiator ($435ish) and one of these...it's hooked to an external pump (turned on by switch in front of shifter) that feeds water in to your lower intercooler...with an ice mix we saw great results on the dyno (10 back to back runs in 100* heat)....yes it takes up trunk space, but it cools the piss out of the car

So what is the thing in the trunk. Is that part of the race radiator or is this something sold seperately. How much does it cost and where do you get it from? Thanks

[03slidewayzSVT]

Call JEGS 1-800-345-4545 $100 buck or so

[blk04cobra1]

Originally Posted by Big T

So what is the thing in the trunk. Is that part of the race radiator or is this something sold seperately. How much does it cost and where do you get it from? Thanks

It's basically a 5-gallon fuel cell with water in it, instead of fuel. Lines are run to your lower intercooler and an external pump is hooked to the tank to pump the water through. When it's all said and done, installed it'll run you about $500, but it's well worth it. I usually only turn mine on when im gonna get in to boost a lot or if it's just insanely hot outside...would be ideal for track use though

[puzzle13]

I appreciate the info! I will look into the radiator. The radiator fluid is the original fluid ... the car only has 10,000 miles on it and the fluid is very clean. I may try some water wetter in the coolant. As to the box in the trunk ... what about that white bottle? Does it make it run cooler or just faster. Once again ... thanks for the help.

[kilroy]

Originally Posted by blk04cobra1

~ I usually only turn mine on when im gonna get in to boost a lot or if it's just insanely hot outside...would be ideal for track use though

This replaced your H/E & its pumps when you installed your TT setup, correct?

[blk04cobra1]

This did not replace the heat exchanger, and it still works with the turbo's b/c the sheet metal intake still incorporates the intercooler...so I have air to air and air to water

As for the little white bottle, it's just there for looks right now, we had a purge system hooked up and the lines are run, Ive just never sprayed it...was going to spray when I had the F1 on it, but never got around to it before I sold it

[SVTMADMAN]

My car did the same thing 2 years ago on my 03 with similar mods, i had the LTs pulley all the bolt-on and about like you say 3/4s the way threw the session she "nosed over" and i pulled her off the track, my friend who is hard headed (white 03 Cobra)kept hammering down and lost the bearing in the bottom end his idea was to short shift, didnt work ,anyways the next year i ran a colder plug and also 110 octane and had great results stayed cool and ran the whole session safely you may remeber the black 03 with the saleen wing. Hope i helped BTW no tune adjusted just plugs and 110. Dont push her if she bogs again just pull off is my recommendation

Shawn (Red MTI ZO6)

[puzzle13]

Thanks for the info!

[RedfireSVT]

Overheating at the track is very common for these cars, their cooling system is flawed. Go to www.Evanscooling.com they sell a complete kit for the cooling system that will solve any overheating issues. The Evans kit consists of a inlet replacement flange for the coolant. It separates the oil cooler from the engine cooling subsystem. A second part is a high flow thermostat which gets moved from the lower radiator hose to the upper. The old T-stat bypass gets plugged and a new bypass is run from the new t-stat to the new inlet flange down where the oil filter used to go. This forces more water through the radiator that would otherwise have gone through the T-stat bypass. Also has the bigger radiator and high flow water pump. Then add the LDC Head cooling kit and you will be able to track that thing all day or till your brakes go. Just call Evans, they will answer any questions you may have.

[puzzle13]

Do you actually have this set-up in your Cobra? If so ... have you noticed a big difference? Do you remember what cost was approximately.

[RedfireSVT]

Hope you're seated for this, the complete system is close to $2000. The Fluidyne radiator that comes with the setup is about $900 of that price. The radiator is so expensive because it has a built in oil cooler which is necessary for this system. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutly if you do alot of road course duty. This system is a complete upgrade and overhaul of the less than adequate stock cooling system. You should see a 30-40 degree drop in temps which makes me feel alot better when I look at the temp gauge. I've seen cars peg the temp gauge with the stock cooling system and a 2.8 pulley on the car in about 3 laps. With this setup you can drive until your brakes fade.