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Coolant temp - how hot is too hot?

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#21
pat slattery

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My SD is a least 5 years old and no leaks.  We have our sensor located in the housing above the thermostat.  Don't know if that is better or worse but it seems to work OK

 

With no thermostat but with a gutted thermostat installed we struggle to get temps up to 150.  We have to put tape on the radiator to get the temps up so there is plenty of cooling with the SD radiator




 

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#22
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For those who have installed coolant sensors in a radiator hose, did you choose the top hose or bottom, and why?

 

 

Regarding radiator shrouding, I looked at mine and decided it'd be a winter project because it needs shrouding on top, bottom and both sides.

Point one, same logic as Tom, upper hose. Have both temp and pressure. The ECU temp pickup off the rear of the head has a hotter water temp because of the cooling system rout design.

 

Point two, what radiator have you installed and what is this radiator shrouding you mention? Under the "Any radiator" rule one may be creative.

 

 The seal top seal p/n NA75-50-OK7A is legal. According to rule, "No body or structure modifications to install. Any openings created by fitting an alternate radiator must be blocked to prevent air from entering the negine compartment." 


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#23
Keith Novak

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These are the types I've seen in use that are questionable in terms of legality due to the rules specifically calling out a legal Mazda p/n:

 

http://5xracing.com/...seal-plate.html


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#24
pat slattery

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Do the newer  99  and up have slotted brake rotors as I saw on that site




 

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#25
DrDomm

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Point two, what radiator have you installed and what is this radiator shrouding you mention? Under the "Any radiator" rule one may be creative.

 

Ok, this is what I'm getting at.  If radiators are open, then go ahead and shroud your radiator, and call it part of the radiator.  Is anyone aware of any technicalities to this interpretation?


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#26
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Ok, this is what I'm getting at.  If radiators are open, then go ahead and shroud your radiator, and call it part of the radiator.  Is anyone aware of any technicalities to this interpretation?

Curious, what shroud would you add to your radiator and why?

 

I've added/attached some stuff to my radiator therefore I could defend the added stuff under "any radiator". My added stuff is on a 1990 and the stuff is really blocking air from traveling under the radiator and around the the sides of the radiator while being directed to a location of value. Keep in mind, air only travels through a radiator at approx 45 mph even tho the car may be traveing 100 plus mph.


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#27
Ron Alan

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Do the newer  99  and up have slotted brake rotors as I saw on that site

My guess is the picture of the carbotech stuff is a cut and pasted carbotech picture that has slotted rotors...the description is accurate and i see no slotted rotors in the SM section.


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#28
LarryKing

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Try it with a functioning themostat.


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#29
Brandon

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Thread hijack - hope it's not offensive ...

 

For those who have installed coolant sensors in a radiator hose, did you choose the top hose or bottom, and why?

 

I've ordered one of these to install both a temp and pressure sensor (it has two ports): http://www.advanced-...products_id=123

 

Regarding radiator shrouding, I looked at mine and decided it'd be a winter project because it needs shrouding on top, bottom and both sides.

I have this adapter installed in mine ('96) with a Mishimoto radiator.  Have both a temp gauge & high-temp light installed in it.  Both the adapter & radiator work well...only complaint is the radiator's thickness requires some interesting cuts/rotations of the various hose bits to make it all fit in a smaller space.

 

My interpretation of the "shroud rule" is if you want to run one at the top, the only one you can run is the referenced Mazda part number.

The linked-to MX5 Racing metal shroud would be protest-bait (weenie protest IMHO) if one wished to pursue it.

On the (literally) flip side, it would appear that running without the undertray would also be protest-bait since it does not say you can remove it.

Why someone would want to is beyond me as without it I believe you lose cooling efficiency.

 

For the "any radiator" interpretation, you may run literally 'any' radiator (per the GCR definition) you want in the factory location and position (behind the support panel in a vertical orientation).  However if it's smaller in any dimension (width/height) from the factory, any openings into the engine bay must be sealed/covered.  I presume this is to prevent any additional airflow into the bay to possibly improve engine performance.

 

Now, what's to stop someone from designing a radiator with an 'extra large' flange/bracket on the top which serves to perform the same function as the Mazda part number?

That is what they call the 'gray area' of the rules and has not yet been determined via protest or CRB letter.

*looks at the GCR's redefinition of a "muffler"*   :glare:


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#30
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Now, what's to stop someone from designing a radiator with an 'extra large' flange/bracket on the top which serves to perform the same function as the Mazda part number?

That is what they call the 'gray area' of the rules and has not yet been determined via protest or CRB letter.

 

 

*looks at the GCR's redefinition of a "muffler"*   :glare:

IMHJ as long as the flange/bracket is attached to the radiator and nothing else is should fly.

 

The re-define would be, thank you to Steve G. and his main man David from out your way.


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#31
DrDomm

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Curious, what shroud would you add to your radiator and why?

 

I've added/attached some stuff to my radiator therefore I could defend the added stuff under "any radiator". My added stuff is on a 1990 and the stuff is really blocking air from traveling under the radiator and around the the sides of the radiator while being directed to a location of value. Keep in mind, air only travels through a radiator at approx 45 mph even tho the car may be traveing 100 plus mph.

 

Ok, for the most part I guess I'm referring to some radiators that have a plate at the top.  I assume the plate is designed to direct air through the radiator, and thus keep the engine cooler.  I see these on so many top cars.  Here's a couple of links...

 

http://www.miatacage...a-radiator.aspx

http://www.miataturb...9-2005-a-69049/

 

Originally I thought the "plates" were added.  Then I realized they came welded to the body of the radiator.  Short of buying one of those radiators, couldn't someone fabricate a piece of aluminum to serve the same function, and then attach it to the existing radiator?...either with bolts, zip ties, tape, etc...

 

And if you can put this plate on top, what's to prevent plates on the sides?

 

Just curious.  Is this even helpful at cooling the engine?


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#32
Bench Racer

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Ok, for the most part I guess I'm referring to some radiators that have a plate at the top.  I assume the plate is designed to direct air through the radiator, and thus keep the engine cooler.  I see these on so many top cars.  Here's a couple of links...

 

http://www.miatacage...a-radiator.aspx

http://www.miataturb...9-2005-a-69049/

 

Originally I thought the "plates" were added.  Then I realized they came welded to the body of the radiator.  Short of buying one of those radiators, couldn't someone fabricate a piece of aluminum to serve the same function, and then attach it to the existing radiator?...either with bolts, zip ties, tape, etc...

 

And if you can put this plate on top, what's to prevent plates on the sides?

 

Just curious.  Is this even helpful at cooling the engine?

Totally legal as long as attached to the radiator, under "any radiator". One would need to test with and without to prove cooling value. May be an advantage when drafting.

 

Back in the early days a dairy farmer from out your way had a non functional radiator (looked like any normal radiator except no water flow) on the left side to allow ambient air through to the intake.


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#33
Keith Novak

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Agreed the one with the welded on top flange is completely legal, and the add-on one would be a weenie protest.  Now if you'll excuse me, I need to weld a splitter onto the bottom of my radiator to <ahem> direct air through it and not around it where it could could be an added benefit.


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#34
ccrowel5

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At what temperature does the car start to pull timing or trigger a "limp mode"? 






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