A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Will I be okay with the single oil cooler at a Laguna seca track day? How big are the differences?
A:
I havent heard of anyone with that info. You need to tap into the return line and probe the temp. Other than that, if you can get a shot at the pan somehow, you might get something with an infrared gun. Watch the water temp. Since no one has reported high temsp with water, I suspect the oil is ok. It's something to be careful about though. I read that ozidation rate doubles for every 18 degrees above 200.
A:
Dunno about oil temps, but my coolant temp has been fine with a single cooler and air temps near 100.
A:
I don't know what actual temp difference the second cooler makes - sorry. I do know that my oil runs very cool, though exclusivly non-track driving. Depending on amnient temp, 140F to 180F consistently. I can't see the Elise oil getting hot enough to be concerned even on track with one cooler.
A:
I assume you're asking about Laguna Seca because you're planning on doing one of the track days in the next week or two? The temperatures at that track this time of year should be pretty cool; I'd be really surprised if one oil cooler was inadequate for this. Buttonwillow in August may be a different story.
A:
Mine runs at 230F on a really hot day at the track. It has twin coolers.
A:
I've noticed after cruising around with water temp holding around 186-189 (ambient 75-80 F), when I redline it up to a hundred or so, the water temp drops a few degrees. I don't know if the additional air thru the radiators does it, or if there's better circulation thru the oil coolers and radiators at higher engine speed. I think, especially with twin oil coolers, that the Elise has a pretty good margin of safety where cooling is concerned.
A:
Originally Posted by sleepless
Mine runs at 230F on a really hot day at the track. It has twin coolers.
What are you doing to it? I can't get mine over 210F even in 100* humid weather at VIR full. My worry is that it is not getting hot enough to burn off the water.
A:
Originally Posted by MyElise
What are you doing to it? I can't get mine over 210F even in 100* humid weather at VIR full. My worry is that it is not getting hot enough to burn off the water.
I think you were the one that helped me with my rear pads at VIR. Thanks again. On that weekend, my car only got above 201 when I pulled into the pits, the it got to about 210.
A:
Originally Posted by shreader3
I think you were the one that helped me with my rear pads at VIR. Thanks again. On that weekend, my car only got above 201 when I pulled into the pits, the it got to about 210.
The water will evaporate, the oil doesn't need to get to 212 deg.