What are you running for coolant?

[Cobra4B]

Do you run traditional anti-freeze? If so, what ratio? Would I be better served running de-ionized water and 2 bottles of water wetter? The car is parked in a climate that can get below freezing over the winter.

-Brian

PS: Anyone remove their t-stat and use a flow restrictor?

[Panoz26]

Antifreeze is bad for track - if you leak, it's like ice.
typically run straight water with a bottle of water wetter....

for storage and cold winter months - ill store it with antifreeze to prevent issues.

[Cobra4B]

I checked w/ NASA. Wheel to wheel requires no anti-freeze but TT it's ok. I have to drain it all to re-torque my heads and manifold so I am just goint to refill 80/20 water/coolant w/ water wetter.

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

Do you run traditional anti-freeze? If so, what ratio? Would I be better served running de-ionized water and 2 bottles of water wetter? The car is parked in a climate that can get below freezing over the winter.

-Brian

PS: Anyone remove their t-stat and use a flow restrictor?

Brian, I run straight water/antifreeze at recommended mixing ratio. No rules against running antifreeze on the circuit in NZ. Have not tried water wetter as no need with most of my racing done at what you would call cool'ish temps.

One thing to check for Brian is that the water wetter that you choose has corrosion inhibiting characteristics. If you are going to drop the antifreeze out (which does this job) this is important with your alloy heads, manifold etc. Corrosion in alloy heads and manifolds can really take off sometimes. Dont know why in some cases but not others, could be alloying constituents, water quality, vehicle/engine earthing (the anode cathode thing) etc etc. I have had this happen before when I ran straight water for a while in a race engine. Ended up with some pretty impressive pitting in the manifold sealing faces.

I used a trick adjustable restrictor in my last race car. I set it up with a cable on it so that I could change the restrictor setting while racing if required. The restrictor was sourced out of the States but I am not sure where from as a friend gave it to me. Worked really well and helped me to modulate temperature within desired band.

Kel.

[eric1h]

Water and and water wetter cools better, but you have to be careful not to let the engine freeze during the cold months, ask me how i know! lol

[boothkc]

Do NOT run coolant at all in a race car. It is less efficient than water in heat transfer so a car with 100% coolant will overheat. It slightly increases the boiling point which is not an issue with our cars or will keep the system from freezing if you park the car in the cold during winter etc.

Best is straight water and 1-2 bottles of water wetter.

Kevin

[PanozDuke]

I run a 50/50 five year coolant mix for the reasons Kel stated. Not only is corrosion a big issue, but so is water pump bearing and seal life. The difference in boiling point is +20 degrees F. for the 50/50 (boils at 228). I know water wetter has some anticorrosion and lubrication benefits, but I'm not so sure it is equal to the 50/50 mix. 50/50 never overheats (never seen 200 F.) and won't freeze at any temp we get here courtesy of Canada. None of the tracks here in the Republic of Texas require water only, NASA and the other sanctioning bodies require water only (plus wetter if you want) for fender to fender competition classes.

One recommendation I would make is use only distilled water to minimize corrosion, either way you go.

While there are pluses and minuses to each option, sometimes there is no choice allowed.

Mike