Limp Mode on the Track

[SVTDSM]

I don't think cost or trying to save money was an issue for anyone that bought a tech pack and still intended to track it. I know for me I would have paid to add track pack on top of tech in a heartbeat.

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[BmacIL]

For most of us, we want a tech car that we can take to a track. There should be an ability to check both boxes. Maybe 2017?

That'd be the R with the electronics pack

 

[Nataphen]

That'd be the R with the electronics pack

Not really an option for the average consumer. I'd put money on Sync 3 being standard in all models next year. Ford has said all 2017 models will include Sync 3 as standard, and I'm sure the GT350 is included in that. Hold off for a 2017 track pack if you want Sync 3 and the coolers.

 

[Dave2013M3]

That really isn't relevant. Ford clearly gave all of us an option that wanted to track our cars with peace of mind. I too wish there had been an option to have all the coolers and the Sync3 but since there wasn't I took the safer approach to keep the components cool and modify the radio later.

All the BMWs I've had weren't really track ready either. They didn't overheat but the brakes were crap. I had to add a BBK to them. At least all the GT350 models have the same brakes that are track ready.

To be honest, the E92 M3 brakes aren't bad for the track but you do have to change pads and fluids as well as SS lines. Its when you go to R comps or slicks that a BBK is a must. The F8X cars have a lot better brakes.

To be frank why doesn't Ford just build the Track Pack and allow you to get nav...the way they optioned this car is ridiculous. If you get the TrackPack you can't get Nav? If you want the Electronics Pack you can't get the Recaros and all the coolers...I don't understand why you can't have both. If you're a track junkie and don't want the nav...fine don't order it, but you can't even do that.

I find it reprehensible that an electronics pack car can only do 10 minutes at the track before you get into limp mode. I hope they address this in later models.

Dave

 

[Trackaholic]

I agree with the general thought that the option packages were pretty lame on this car.

I personally think Ford sacrificed too much to keep the price low, and it may cause backlash due to issues like the one being discussed.

1. The track pack should have been the base model and toggle switches should have been standard.
2. They should have had an "electronics" option, that added the touch screen and nav (maybe a $1000 option)
3. They should have had a "heated and cooled seats" option that was maybe $500 for those who wanted to give up the Recaros.

I definitely feel like all the cars should have had the cooling available, and I feel that those who wanted the interior upgrade should not have needed to skip the cooling or the Recaro seats.

Hopefully it will be easy to add a transmission cooler through the aftermarket. At least their is airflow planned for a cooler. Part of the issue with the Z06 is the lack of airflow that makes it difficult to cool even with aftermarket components.

I personally had some struggles with my choice, but I did plan on tracking the car, and I know from experience that heat is the biggest enemy on track. I was willing to give up the interior amenities in order to get any extra cooling that was offered. In that sense it was an easy decision to go with the track pack, but at the time I was really hoping Ford would have offered something like the "R with electronics pack" for the regular GT350.

Finally, if the issue is limited to the transmission, it might be that the exhaust is contributing to the issue, and some shielding (or that scoop mentioned earlier) will really help.

-T

 

[GOFAST]

Does anybody know what it would cost to get the GT350 track ready? It is just the trans cooler it needs, or are we unsure still?

 

[plateofshrimp]

Does anybody know what it would cost to get the GT350 track ready? It is just the trans cooler it needs, or are we unsure still?

$200 transmission scoop? If anyone is making one.

 

[chrsschb]

No. Why would you expect Ford to make the non-track pack car run as well on the track as the track pack car? That would be stupid and would piss off all the people that bought the track pack. How hard is it to understand that if you want to track your car more than a few parade laps that you might want to purchase the options that Ford recommends for tracking your car? :doh:

You seem to have meant to direct this to someone else.

I'm not the one marketing the car as a track car. Ford is. And once again, as I've previously mentioned, at the end of the day I don't give a shit because I ordered a track pack car.

I would rather the car limit itself, then let me blow it up. Ford made a track and R model for sustained track use, and has made it clear the non track models need additional cooling. The people that decided not to spend the extra cash to buy the track model for track use shouldn't be that surprised or upset.

Where would a non-forum junky find this information? And don't say the owner's manual.


Once again, I'll reiterate. A track car's options should give it a track-focused benefit. Completing a session on the track should not be something a track-focused car should have to option out.

If the brakes suck and need upgrading, fine. If the springs need to be stiffer, fine. But the car can't even complete a 15-20 min session on a cool day. I feel sorry for anyone who planned to track this car in the summer without the coolers.

 

[1LEThumper]

There goes that Z06 conjecture... not all Z06's have cooling issues. I have a non-Z07 Z06 (which doesn't have to do with coolers anyway since they all have them as standard equipment) and I'm not going to rant endless about it.... but I have 14 track days with mine and no limp mode issues whatsoever due to overheating problems. I tend to push it hard too. No novice lap parades here. Not sayng it's trouble free since I had other issues pop up such as CEL due to MAF and A/F sensor going bad but that's it that caused some loss in power for me and GM is rectifying my concerns.

Using a blower on the C7Z for a road race car is stupid...plain and simple.

Blocking the entire radiator with the intercooler on a car that already had cooling issues to start with?

 

[1LEThumper]

I agree with the general thought that the option packages were pretty lame on this car.

I personally think Ford sacrificed too much to keep the price low, and it may cause backlash due to issues like the one being discussed.

1. The track pack should have been the base model and toggle switches should have been standard.
2. They should have had an "electronics" option, that added the touch screen and nav (maybe a $1000 option)
3. They should have had a "heated and cooled seats" option that was maybe $500 for those who wanted to give up the Recaros.

I definitely feel like all the cars should have had the cooling available, and I feel that those who wanted the interior upgrade should not have needed to skip the cooling or the Recaro seats.

I do agree with #1 and #2.

The big screen sure looks nicer in the cars and I do like the toogle switch look. Fits the car a bit better.

 

[krt22]

Finally, if the issue is limited to the transmission, it might be that the exhaust is contributing to the issue, and some shielding (or that scoop mentioned earlier) will really help.

-T

I do hope this proves to be an easy fix to give tech pack and base owners some margin.

 

[1LEThumper]

I did plenty of reading and posting on the subject and I didn't see anywhere or anyone state that you NEEDED a track pack to complete a single 15 minute session. Before you refer to the manual... Again... Stating we recommend adding aftermarket coolers for sustained track use is not the same as "track pack or R required for track use" which is what it should say... Or "transmission and diff coolers required for track use one base or tech pack".

For what it's worth I opted for tech pack because I wanted sync3 and planed on adding all the track pack parts. It wasn't till after my car was already built that I was able to verify through Ford Performance that the transmission was actually different.

Maybe it was the way I read it.....if it says you should get this for extended track time. Pretty much you need to get it.

Is the case actually different or just the front cover plate? Typically on the C6 Corvette's it was just the front cover plate on the trans. There was a pump mounted on the early ones, and built into the later ones. So they had to change it on cars without coolers or the pump would burn up with out looping the lines so to speak.

Either way it should be easy enough to put one on the car using the drain and fill plugs on the case to grab and return the fluid to.

Besides the fact they probably should have put a trans cooler on the car I think it would be easy to use the drain and fill plugs.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

Using a blower on the C7Z for a road race car is stupid...plain and simple.

Blocking the entire radiator with the intercooler on a car that already had cooling issues to start with?

oil "cooler" right next to the catalytic converter too. More like an oil heater

 

[cosmo]

The fact the ambient air was 65F gives me some worry. This doesn't bode well for 80+ track days during the summer.

Everyone is on point though. Only offering the track pack OR the tech pack was an obnoxious decision by Ford. Some exhaust heat shielding (which is proven effective on the Z06 as well) and duct work will probably help the base/tech users. Only time will tell.

 

[gravedgr]

And how many of those can hang with the GT350 time wise before they start to heat soak and fade the brakes? The price of entry is also much higher, there is no such thing as a free lunch

High HP high performance cars have issues with heat at the track, period. This is nothing new to Ford or any other manufacturer. If you want to go to the track, get the track pack or add a cooler per the manual

A stock 911 will hang around all day with a 350, track pack or not.

As much as they touted this as outperforming a GT3, the corner cutting is becoming more evident each day.

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