Cooling an SE on the track

Danny · Postby **Danny** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:59 pm

What coolant mix are you using? Straight water is the most efficient.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 6:21 pm

Coolant/water mix is probably 40/60
I stay in some areas over night that get quite cold so need some form of antifreeze.
Have been considering diluting it down though, maybe 20/80.

And thanks for the heads up on the innovate gauge accuracy too Magpie. I'll message you regarding that

Danny · Postby **Danny** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:46 pm

That percentage mix is not very efficient. If you know what the min temperature is you can sort out a more efficient ratio.

There are plenty of sites on the web such as http://www.challengers101.com/CoolantMix.html

Or you could try calling the Nulon people for their advice.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 9:34 pm

Thanks! will look into that and change the ratio accordingly

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 10:37 pm

Danny wrote:What coolant mix are you using? Straight water is the most efficient.

Distilled or demineralised water is best, to avoid the chemicals in tap water, such as salts, damaging your radiator.

My car also has a (fugly) bonnet vent behind the radiator. It's a Mini Copper air intake deliberately fitted the wrong way round. The theory is this reduces air pressure under the bonnet thus allowing more air in through the grille and through the radiator. I also thought it gave a bit more steering feel, perhaps by reducing front end lift. Better looking vents exist which can be fitted in areas of the bonnet which would still reduce under bonnet pressures and also reduce under bonnet temps in crucial areas.

NitroDann already suggested a coolant reroute. x 2 for that.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 10:48 pm

So a quick interesting development, and I doubt this will make much difference on the track but every degree helps.
Tonight I flushed my coolant to do a fresh mix of 25/75 coolant to demineralised water and also thought while I'm in there I may as well change the thermostat since I'm not sure if it's ever been changed.
Purchased an 88deg high flow one and well I'll be damned, the car is idling between 88 and 91 degrees! (Measured on an OBD scanner reading the temp sensor on the back of the head)
I know this kind of temp is normal for some but my car has never been that cool. Usually idles and around town drives between 95 and 98 so 90degrees is a revelation for me :lol:

Going on a club run on the weekend so will keep an eye on this but touch wood this is one step in the right direction!