Topic: Cooling

As we were clean the fuel and and lines on our project car, we got into a discussion about cooling.  Speaking to another team that ran the same generation Probe as we are, they said the are notorious for overheating.  Here are some questions that we have.

1.  Do cooling fans count for the $500 limit?

2.  Can we cut openings in the hood as long as we do not weaken the structure?

Thanks for your reply

Skip "Mongo" L.
Team DadBod

2 (edited by BoB 2017-02-21 01:11 PM)

Re: Cooling

1. Yes, anything that could be considered to improve reliablity or performance pretty much is budget.

2.  You can but need to make sure you still have a hood and that you don't ruin its integrity in cutting big holes.  You can use house vents to bring back some integrity or other bad ideas.

You may also want to look at adding a oil cooler.  Normally easy to find one cheap at the pick n pull.  That way you are cooling 2 different types of fluids in your engine.  Also if its an auto you will probably want to add an external trans cooler, especially if yours has one that goes through your radiator cause you will then also heat up the water in your radiator with your overheated trans fluid.

Racing 4 Nickels - 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
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Re: Cooling

Ok, thanks for the info.

Right now we have a stock pusher puller set up on the radiator and nothing on the intercooler.  I was thinking of getting a small fan for the intercooler.  This is after we remove the condenser for the AC.

Skip "Mongo" L.
Team DadBod

4 (edited by OnkelUdo 2017-02-21 06:08 PM)

Re: Cooling

Oh, and stop worrying too much about the budget.  Remember, busting the budget gets you penalty laps (maybe) but you still get to race.  Blowed up motor gets you sidelined while you new team learns the job of all night engine swaps.  Which sounds more fun for your first race?

Re: Cooling

Different theories out there to explore as far as engine cooling.  Larger radiator/ trans cooler are a no brainer and cheap, even new.  Holes in the hood, some speculate could cause the motor to overheat as you are disrupting the engineered air flow under the hood.  If you remove you headlights block out the holes or use them to funnel air to your brakes if desired.   Also, replace your thermostat.  It's $8 and easy access if you have the 2.0.

Here's your tip, keep the RPMs low your first race.  Do not go to the redline on every shift.  It's a 14.5 hour race, not 15.6 seconds.

Team Glue Sticks
00 Firebird, 02 X-Type, 93 NX2000, 00 Mazda 626 (Sold)
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Re: Cooling

meyers0150 wrote:

Different theories out there to explore as far as engine cooling.  Larger radiator/ trans cooler are a no brainer and cheap, even new.  Holes in the hood, some speculate could cause the motor to overheat as you are disrupting the engineered air flow under the hood. If you remove you headlights block out the holes or use them to funnel air to your brakes if desired.   Also, replace your thermostat.  It's $8 and easy access if you have the 2.0.

This is an interesting consideration.

The Tinyvette guys did CFD simulation on their Opel a few years ago:

https://vimeo.com/46152775

I seem to recall there's an additional one that showed how the extraction-style hood flowed air better through the engine bay, but I can't find it at the moment.

Eric Rood
Everything Bagel, 24 Hours of Lemons
eric@24hoursoflemons.com

Re: Cooling

Hey look, a thing:

http://www.flowillustrator.com/

Eric Rood
Everything Bagel, 24 Hours of Lemons
eric@24hoursoflemons.com