Track Day Temperatures

[Jstang23]

Hey guys!

I have my first track day this weekend with my new GT and I just wanted to ask a few questions. The car is a 2023 non-PP GT 10AT. The event is at the Atlanta Motorsports Park, which is a smaller and tighter course. Max speed will probably be around 100-110 mph if I'm pushing it hard. The ambient temperature is looking like a high of 75 degrees F. I'll be running 6 20 minute sessions. I will not be driving it flat out as this is my daily driver. I would assume 7/10ths.

1.) What cylinder head temperatures should I be okay with? 205-225? At what point should I slow down or even stop?

2.) Any advice to keep the car as cool as possible while on track?

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[tosha]

Hey guys!

I have my first track day this weekend with my new GT and I just wanted to ask a few questions. The car is a 2023 non-PP GT 10AT. The event is at the Atlanta Motorsports Park, which is a smaller and tighter course. Max speed will probably be around 100-110 mph if I'm pushing it hard. The ambient temperature is looking like a high of 75 degrees F. I'll be running 6 20 minute sessions. I will not be driving it flat out as this is my daily driver. I would assume 7/10ths.

1.) What cylinder head temperatures should I be okay with? 205-225? At what point should I slow down or even stop?

2.) Any advice to keep the car as cool as possible while on track?

Have fun reading : https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/track-time-limited-due-to-high-cht.166499/

Is this your first ever track day event, or first one for this car.

I personally start backing off a bit at 230F CHT. Moving the shifting points to 6500k RPM or below helps keep it cool

 

[Jstang23]

Have fun reading : https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/track-time-limited-due-to-high-cht.166499/

Is this your first ever track day event, or first one for this car.

I personally start backing off a bit at 230F CHT. Moving the shifting points to 6500k RPM or below helps keep it cool

This is not my first track day, just the first with this car. I raced Spec Miata and Formula 1600 a couple years ago, but work and school got too busy I didn't have the time for it anymore.

I'll plan to back off around 230 CHT and definitely shift before 6500. The coyote with the 10AT has enough power I don't need to be ringing it out to 7200 every time. Maybe once just for fun

Thank you!

 

[EFI]

2.) Any advice to keep the car as cool as possible while on track?

As mentioned before, keep it under 235* CHT and 215* TOT and you will be fine. Shortshifting helps as does keeping the heater on. I actually tried that for the first time the other day and was surprised at how cool the head temps remained. Usually I run in the 230s, but this time around I couldn't even hit 220*. It was a bit cooler out, but still I remember other cool spring days I would hit the same temps as during the summer.

 

[Jstang23]

As mentioned before, keep it under 235* CHT and 215* TOT and you will be fine. Shortshifting helps as does keeping the heater on. I actually tried that for the first time the other day and was surprised at how cool the head temps remained. Usually I run in the 230s, but this time around I couldn't even hit 220*. It was a bit cooler out, but still I remember other cool spring days I would hit the same temps as during the summer.

Running the heater with or without the A/C button engaged? I had one hell of time with my A/C system on my 2016 mustang and have never raced with any of the system engaged. Although, I'm not sure if the heater will pull heat from the engine with the A/C off.

 

[EFI]

Running the heater with or without the A/C button engaged? I had one hell of time with my A/C system on my 2016 mustang and have never raced with any of the system engaged. Although, I'm not sure if the heater will pull heat from the engine with the A/C off.

Run the heat on HI and 2-3 fan speed, make sure to point the vents away from you and towards the passenger window. It engages the heater core fan which acts as a secondary inline radiator. Where do you think you get heat on while in the winter if not from the engine? You don't run the AC in the winter do you?

The AC only turns on the fan, which is useful while putting around in the pits at low speeds. But once you're on track, fan speed no longer matters too much.

 

[K4fxd]

Although, I'm not sure if the heater will pull heat from the engine with the A/C off.

Sure it will

 

[Jstang23]

Run the heat on HI and 2-3 fan speed, make sure to point the vents away from you and towards the passenger window. It engages the heater core fan which acts as a secondary inline radiator. Where do you think you get heat on while in the winter if not from the engine? You don't run the AC in the winter do you?

The AC only turns on the fan, which is useful while putting around in the pits at low speeds. But once you're on track, fan speed no longer matters too much.

I run the A/C most of the time. I live in a pretty humid environment and running the A/C even with the heat on pulls all the moisture out of the air coming into the cabin! I figured it would still pull the heat off the engine without the A/C on just wasn't sure!

 

[EFI]

I run the A/C most of the time. I live in a pretty humid environment and running the A/C even with the heat on pulls all the moisture out of the air coming into the cabin! I figured it would still pull the heat off the engine without the A/C on just wasn't sure!

I guess it depends on what you value more...your own comfort or that of the engine. Although with 2 windows wide open I can't imagine the car's HVAC system will do much for comfort as the dry air will go right out the window and be replaced by moist air from the outside. Maybe if you raced with the windows up.

I found that having the heat on doesn't make much of a difference inside the car if you point the vents to the open passenger window, and like I said it definitely helped with the engine temp. If you actually look at a picture of the car's heater core, you'd be surprised at the size of it so it pulls a decent amount of heat out of the coolant. Even if that's only 5-8* CHT, that could be the difference between being able to continue going full pace at 228* CHT vs. having to back off for a lap because you hit 235* CHT.

 

[Jstang23]

I guess it depends on what you value more...your own comfort or that of the engine. Although with 2 windows wide open I can't imagine the car's HVAC system will do much for comfort as the dry air will go right out the window and be replaced by moist air from the outside. Maybe if you raced with the windows up.

I found that having the heat on doesn't make much of a difference inside the car if you point the vents to the open passenger window, and like I said it definitely helped with the engine temp. If you actually look at a picture of the car's heater core, you'd be surprised at the size of it so it pulls a decent amount of heat out of the coolant. Even if that's only 5-8* CHT, that could be the difference between being able to continue going full pace at 228* CHT vs. backing off for a lap because you hit 235* CHT.

I think you misunderstood! I always turn the entire system off while racing or even spirited driving. I've had two too many compressors shred themselves to do it But while driving to work or daily driving around I generally keep the A/C system engaged! I turn the whole system off when I have the windows down.

I agree the 5-8 degrees is definitely worth it and I can't imagine I'd notice a difference with the windows down at 80 mph!

 

[Rodpwnz]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned A10 trans temps yet.

I would strongly suggest staying at or below 225F trans temp, which should be very easy to hit at 75F ambient, on a short and technical track, with an experienced driver. I have PP1 and have to let off due to trans temps way before I worry about CHT. If I recall correctly, once you hit 230F+, you are 100% damaging your trans. Internal thermostatic valve to trans cooler begins to open very late at 190F, then from that point, slowly opens up to full at 210f. You will have 20F of breathing room once the tiny little OEM cooler is at full flow and until you hit the danger zone.

Also with the 4-pot brakes up front, I would also be careful with braking. I've never had an issue with my brembos, but just something I've seen from other users when tracking on the 4-pots.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[tosha]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned A10 trans temps yet.

I would strongly suggest staying at or below 225F trans temp, which should be very easy to hit at 75F ambient, on a short and technical track, with an experienced driver. I have PP1 and have to let off due to trans temps way before I worry about CHT. If I recall correctly, once you hit 230F+, you are 100% damaging your trans. Internal thermostatic valve to trans cooler begins to open very late at 190F, then from that point, slowly opens up to full at 210f. You will have 20F of breathing room once the tiny little OEM cooler is at full flow and until you hit the danger zone.

Also with the 4-pot brakes up front, I would also be careful with braking. I've never had an issue with my brembos, but just something I've seen from other users when tracking on the 4-pots.

Good luck and have fun!

Great points

 

[Biggsy]

215* TOT

what does TOT stand for?

 

[1958cyclist]

I think that you should be fine. I've run a similar tight track in Pitt Race at much warmer ambient temps with similar outing times and have no issues with limp mode or anything else. Park it, pop the hood, let cool down between sessions and then do the next one. I do have the Brembo's though and a friend does not. He seemed to have some braking issues in latter sessions, which I did not experience.

 

[EFI]

what does TOT stand for?

Sorry, trans oil temp for the 10R80 fluid.

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