Heat reduction inthe engine bay

[Porsche917]

Everyone in motorsport talks about heat as the enemy and I'd guess it's no different in the 924's - is anyone using any of the 'trick' items in the Demon Tweeks catalogue - exhaust heat wrap, heat shields and silicone ducting?? I've got my (not very happy) engine out at the moment so see it as the ideal time to address the problem - but would rather not spend the ££££ if there's no point....
Any thoughts from you long time 924 pilots?
Cheers
Geoff

[Steve b]

Hello

Most fit a 944 radiator as its bigger and aluminium. some fit an additional small cooler (Oil cooler!) in the heater circuit. Some fit an oil cooler in the oil circuit with a sandwich plate between the block and the pil filter.

I run with just the 944 rad and anit freeze. Max water temp when racing around 86 degrees max oil temp around 115 degrees

Steve

[AndyHanners]

I think Matt's old car has the extra oil cooler. Exhaust heat wrap would be a good idea, might make the starter motor last longer. I'm on my 4th starter motor now!

[Porsche917]

Thanks for your views - yes the car already has the small radiator in the heating circuit. Think I'll try wrap as I've had one starter motor go already - one minute they're ine the next 'click' for no reason.
Cheers
Geoff

[Porsche917]

Hey Steve
Does the 944 radiator slot in without lots of hassle? Have just had the rad that was on the car tested and found a problem with it.....so heading to ebay to find something that'll do the job. Figure I might as well go over things with the proverbial fine toothed comb so that with a bit of luck the machine will be dependable. Rumour has it that it didn't break very often when Andy ran it but me thinks it probably due for an overhaul after a lot of running in 2008 and 09.
Cheers
Geoff

[A.Kirkham]

Hi Geoff.
I've got a few radiators in stock if you're interested - original 924 and 944 types - approx £30 to £40 ea for decent used ones.
Tel: 0161 865 8841 Alastair.

[AndyHanners]

Hi Geoff, I swapped over last year from a 924 rad to a 944 one. The only thing missing is there are no brackets on the 944 rad. You can hack the ones off the 924 rad and attach them which is what I did initially but it looked a bit like a meccano set, or get somebody to weld brackets on for you which is what I did later and looks much tidier.
Cheers,
Andrew H.

[Porsche917]

Thanks for the hints and tips. Will bear your offer in mind Alastair - I have a friend who is 'pretty sure' that he has a good 944 radiator in his garage .....somewhere. (Will be in touch if it's not found - or is found but not working). And here I thought I'd just buy a car climb in and run at the front with you guys - buy there's more to racing a 924 than meets the eye!
Thanks again for all the advice. Don't think I'll make Mallory but will see you at Rockingham with the coolest running car on the grid at this rate!
Cheers
Geoff

[gwynsms]

Geoff.
Its a good plan to fit a 944 rad, much lighter being ally and more efficient at cooling. Run with an 82deg th/stat and it'l run at 84 to86deg all day. Drill a 3mm hole in the thermostat to help with bleeding the cooling system.

As Andy states, there are no mounting brackets on the 944 one; my method is to make cradle style alloy brackets and hang them from the chassis box sections with a couple of Z shape ones for the top. This method supports the rad well but allows a bit of flexibility for expansion etc. Put some mesh in front of it to catch debris.

Cheers
Gwyn. SMS Motorsport.

[martinhall]

Hi there everyone,

Sorry not been on here lately, but just finished the move to the new premesis. Still walking like a penguin so the op in Sept cant come soon enough!

We found that running distilled water and water wetter worked fine on our car with a standard 924 radiator. Agree with Gwyn about the hole for bleeding the system, and do remember to drain it before the frost comes as there is no anti freeze properties. Could I also suggest cleaning very thoroughly the whole cooling system, especially the vanes of the water pump which can get pretty cruddy especially if leak sealing additives have been used!

Best of luck for Mallory, sure do miss the fun and camaradary!

Mart