Limp Mode on the Track

[458-GT3-ZR1]

tech pack did 2 track days this past weekend

I found even without a cooler if you air cool the tranny between the sessions say using a leaf blower, it will hold up close to 18-20 mins.

the 2nd day it was cooler 69F air temp with blowing wind over 30mph, only limped once on the last half of the last lap

was this at Mosport? white with blue stripes?

If so I was the guy with the yellow 991 GT3 asking about your car--glad to hear you didn't have tranny overheating on day 2

The instructor in the white GT 350R was quick out there...we had a good time chasing each other and the white GTR!

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[458-GT3-ZR1]

69F? Where was your track day this weekend, Alaska? ;)

Mosport, I presume. It was actually in the high 40's on Friday morning!
3 GT 350's (one R, one track pack, one tech pack---the one that had tranny heating issues day 1)

 

[Hack]

I finally had my track day at Brainerd I've been planning since I bought the car. It was 55 in the morning and warmed to around 80 at 3pm. Limp mode came within a few minutes (less than 10) when using the car's full power band and I also got reduced power from high engine temperatures. I'm a novice and I can't use anywhere near the full capabilities of the car, but it got hot very quickly on what I think was a relatively cool/nice day. I'm glad Ford put safeties into the car, but I hope the cooling can be improved, especially engine cooling is a big concern of mine.

Going to the dealer tomorrow to have codes pulled and some service done.

On the bright side, the car handles great and I had a lot of fun. I think I'll wait for a cooling solution before going back, but I'd like to attend at least one more track day this summer.

 

[TxOilMoney]

No Limp Mode Yet

Not even that, these cars will hit limp mode on the freeway in high temps.

There is no way ford tested anything without coolers in any kind of heat or with much load. 45 min at 80mph in high 80s and 2 small passengers will almost hit 250. No signs of it cooling. put 600 pounds of people in the car on a hot day and run 5th gear on the highway for a while and just watch what happens.

I have yet to hit "limp mode" on my Tech 350, but not from lack of trying. I've done 6 or 7 joy rides with first time passengers, when I go in to "show off mode", I will run thru the first 3 gears, shifting at 7500 rpm, at least 6 acceleration runs for full effect. I've made two trips, with passenger, to the Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma, (90 miles from my house), averaging between 85 and 95 mph. This is in Texas heat with the A/C always on. Last month we went to Houston, (about 230 miles), averaging 85 to 90 with a few stretches up to 110. Again, Texas heat with A/C on. Only only one stop each way for fuel. Last weekend, I took it up to 135 and stayed there for 5 minutes. (Was chasing a 911 Turbo on the PGB Turnpike). To sum up, in 5 months and 3000 miles, I have yet to experience the "limp mode". Thank god for the great A/C, because down here, the heat is definitely always on. I guess I'll have to take it to the track next month for the acid test.

 

[arsenalrocks]

yeah that's me, nice to meet you. and I did see your GT3 and the white GT-R and GT350R in the S/I group I think. you guys are fast, brake very late in turn 1. the GT-R in comparison sounded almost muted compares to the R and your car.

well hopefully one day I can join you guys.

was this at Mosport? white with blue stripes?

If so I was the guy with the yellow 991 GT3 asking about your car--glad to hear you didn't have tranny overheating on day 2

The instructor in the white GT 350R was quick out there...we had a good time chasing each other and the white GTR!

 

[superman07]

I have yet to hit "limp mode" on my Tech 350, but not from lack of trying. I've done 6 or 7 joy rides with first time passengers, when I go in to "show off mode", I will run thru the first 3 gears, shifting at 7500 rpm, at least 6 acceleration runs for full effect. I've made two trips, with passenger, to the Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma, (90 miles from my house), averaging between 85 and 95 mph. This is in Texas heat with the A/C always on. Last month we went to Houston, (about 230 miles), averaging 85 to 90 with a few stretches up to 110. Again, Texas heat with A/C on. Only only one stop each way for fuel. Last weekend, I took it up to 135 and stayed there for 5 minutes. (Was chasing a 911 Turbo on the PGB Turnpike). To sum up, in 5 months and 3000 miles, I have yet to experience the "limp mode". Thank god for the great A/C, because down here, the heat is definitely always on. I guess I'll have to take it to the track next month for the acid test.

Do you happen to have a guage or similar to monitor temps? I wouldn't be surprised if you were running 240-260s. I think Limp hits at 280. I'm more concerned at the lifespan of the fluid and transmission running that hot for a season or two. The normal service interval might not be good enough. There could be issues even though you are not hitting limp mode. Does anyone know what the oil used is rated at. Everything I have found suggests over 200 degrees should be avoided. With the track and R running 170s they definitely have a advantage in longevity, not just around the track.

I ran pretty cool this weekend with Ambient in the low and mid 80s. was pleasantly surprised. With fresh oil I noticed even my oil temps were great running hard. Engine was pushing 225 in similar driving on the way out there, but only got to 212 coming back.

 

[superman07]

The data sheet on the transmission fluid Mercon LV lists Viscosity:
cSt @ 100°C 6.0 (212f)
cSt @ 40°C 29.6 (104f)
cP @ -40°C 10,200

That's one hell of a difference between 104f and 212f. What is the viscosity properties at 240-250? I would like to see Ford go on record that the transmission and fluid combo given their stated intervals will perform properly at the noted temps.

SDS lists the Flash point as 338.0 °F which is a tad bit better than Mercon V at 314.6 °F . So it is possible Ford specifies a different fluid than the Tremec default for this purpose. Its my understanding considerable damage to the fluid properties will result well before the flash point but I'm just going by what is on the internet.

I did not stay at a holiday inn last night.

 

[Steve68]

Just for the record, it has to be a Holiday Inn Express to work anyway.

 

[TxOilMoney]

Do you happen to have a guage or similar to monitor temps? I wouldn't be surprised if you were running 240-260s. I think Limp hits at 280. I'm more concerned at the lifespan of the fluid and transmission running that hot for a season or two. The normal service interval might not be good enough. There could be issues even though you are not hitting limp mode. Does anyone know what the oil used is rated at. Everything I have found suggests over 200 degrees should be avoided. With the track and R running 170s they definitely have a advantage in longevity, not just around the track.

I ran pretty cool this weekend with Ambient in the low and mid 80s. was pleasantly surprised. With fresh oil I noticed even my oil temps were great running hard. Engine was pushing 225 in similar driving on the way out there, but only got to 212 coming back.

No, I do not have a temp gauge for the tranny. Wish I did. I have asked every GT350 owner that I've seen at the Dallas and Ft. Worth Cars and Coffee if they had experienced Limp Mode, and none said they had. I also asked several more last weekend at The Shelby Car Show in Plano and got the same answer. However, I do not know how many, if any, had tracked their car yet.

 

[shelbydave]

No, I do not have a temp gauge for the tranny. Wish I did. I have asked every GT350 owner that I've seen at the Dallas and Ft. Worth Cars and Coffee if they had experienced Limp Mode, and none said they had. I also asked several more last weekend at The Shelby Car Show in Plano and got the same answer. However, I do not know how many, if any, had tracked their car yet.

I tracked my car yesterday at cresson and got limp mode every session.its at the dealership right now and they said it was tranny overheating..

 

[TxOilMoney]

I tracked my car yesterday at cresson and got limp mode every session.its at the dealership right now and they said it was tranny overheating..

That really blows man!

 

[montreal ponies]

I tracked my car yesterday at cresson and got limp mode every session.its at the dealership right now and they said it was tranny overheating..

You'll get the usual " normal characteristic of your car without coolers "

 

[shelbydave]

You'll get the usual " normal characteristic of your car without coolers "

Hmm. I hope not. I do a lot of business with them..and I told them it was a problem..my salesman is already looking for me a track car and I jokingly said if it doesn't get fixed I'm driving it through the front glass...they did send me home in a rental.

 

[snaproll]

Maybe I missed it, but has anyone tried simply unplugging the sensor or leaving it out of the hole to sense ambient conditions (assuming it's a temp probe that screws in and can be removed and plugged) so it won't shut the car down? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[shelbydave]

Maybe I missed it, but has anyone tried simply unplugging the sensor or leaving it out of the hole to sense ambient conditions (assuming it's a temp probe that screws in and can be removed and plugged) so it won't shut the car down? Anyone? Bueller?[/QUOT
You know.. That would probably work..but at the risk of damaging the tranny..I have read till I'm cross eyed on this..many seem to think the catalitic converters are not helping the situation either.

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