micahbones

The recent discussions about coolant system failures make me think we should dedicate a thread to possible solutions to the problem. A question and a couple proposed fixes follow.

1. Question -- what solution does Porsche employ on its GT3 RSR & Cup cars? Alternatively, how did Porsche modify the "stock" GT3 RS that ran at the recent Nurburgring 24-hr race to prevent a coolant system failure?

2. Possible solution to prevent crashing at the track when a press-fit junction fails -- replace coolant/antifreeze with water wetter + water.

3. Long-term solution -- Sharkwerks retrofit, requires engine removal.

Do you have an answer to question #1, and what are some other ideas to prevent the problem?

Crazy Canuck

Good idea for a thread.

I'm going to water and Water Wetter unless another viable alternative is discussed.

TRAKCAR

Sharkwerks fixes it when the do a 3.9, maybe they can do a kit with just leaving the engine stock?

Crazy Canuck

+1

brim

I'd buy it

str8ner

Great thread. Way too many DE incidents because of antifreeze. And we are not even racing! Very often involves a group of cars. It will bite any driver! No antifreeze in cars when racing with SCCA. Water + Wetter. Cars seem to be doing well. Cons is that water freezes and a lot of people are worried about it. It would require to either keep your car in a warm place during off season or to switch back to antifreeze. It is not much more than requiring your brake fluid to be changed every year and would make DE a lot safer. Cost of changing your cooling fluid is definitely cheaper than potential car damages.
It should be part of PCA DE requirement at tech inspection. Some short-sighted people may bring up oil cooled Porsches as still a problem and therefore not fair to make the antifreeze people change their fluid! True but it is not an option for them so there is not point to bring this up. Also oil is not as tricky as antifreeze.
Lets count how many people want to make this change in coolant a requirement from PCA.

Stephan.

CRex

Agree on the safety point. But doesn't the lower boiling point of water+wetter become a problem at track temperatures? We're talking about 100 vs 180 degs celsius here and it's a meaningful difference.

Land Jet

Check out this thread. I know it is a 996 turbo, but the same GT1 block and similar problem, plus a solution.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/9...top-motor.html

texasviany

I go away for vacation and all hell breaks loose! Savboy + this. Ugh!

micahbones

Question still remains: what does Porsche do for coolant fittings on its factory built 911 race cars, and/or how did they modify the fittings on the GT3 RS that raced in the Nürburgring 24 hr. this year?

6-speed link above by Land Jet shows this solution: "hard welded fittings for the OEM glued inserts water cooling system. there's 7 welds total, in 3 different locations, 6 of which require new alum inserts to replace stock glued ones..."

fc-racer

I've looked at a few parts catalogues for the racecars and the part number appears to be the same, so they are either modifying this part, using something else, or are not seeing the same issues a street driven car are.

911SLOW

I can verify parts are the same on the 6. What each team does as a patent on these items varies as they are unregulated points.
Also note that the big difference between race and road is the hours between service.
Although a 24 hour is very harsh on some areas its nothing on some others.
for example glue failing has to do with heat cycles and not absolute temps or water pressure for this matter.

John

FFaust

Doubt very much that the RS or RSR at the Ring were running coolant. W + wetter for sure. Not sure if this alone raises the boiling point. Maybe some other chemical in there to achieve this???

Welding would certainly be the way to go... Not sure how many engine shops have a TIG welder though.

ADias

Quite a few solutions on that thread. Excellent!

_rocket

Non-welding solution:

NPT to Hose Barb adapters.
Straight

45deg elbow

90deg elbow