BillC3

One thing I noticed during my DE this past weekend is that the oil temps were higher than I had expected. Even with the car in "sport" mode, I was coming off the track after a 25 min session with oil temps around 240 degrees F and coolant temp around 197 degrees F. Both days were on the warm-and-humid side, with peak temps around 85 degrees F. All temps are from the displays in the car.

Are these acceptable oil temps? They seem rather high to me -- I'd be happier if they were 10-15 degrees cooler. I'm using the stock Mobil 1 0w40 oil.

Does Porsche make a larger oil-to-water heat exchanger that bolts in? I've read that people have been able to use 996 or 997 GT3/Turbo exchangers on their 987s. Is any similar part available that will fit a GT4? How big is the heat exchanger on a GT4 anyway?

I did check to make sure there was nothing clogging my radiators or the side air intakes.

krell

Seems normal to me. Full synthetics can run at 250 all day (a bit of hyperbole, but you get my point).

If you're concerned about water temps try putting in a bottle of Water Wetter.

Quikag

240 and 197F is nothing. I love how cool the GT4 runs in basically any condition and any ambient temp.

I got used to running up to 290F+ and 250F+ coolant in the ZR1 before short shifting and doing some cool down laps. That would happen when I was running hard in ambient temps above 85-90F.

The GT4 is awesome!!!

orthojoe

Bah. Ran with 118F intake temps and 135F pavement temps. Oil temps never went above 252F and coolant never went above 204F. No worries.

paradocs98

Haven't had the GT4 on track yet, but my 991 Carrera S (same engine) would typically run oil temps of 245-255 F on track, and occasionally hit 260. Did 18 trackdays with fairly frequent oil changes. Took care of the car and it did fine.

jphughan

I saw 247 F with Sport on at TWS in mid-80s weather and wasn't at all concerned. A bit higher than my M3 ran, but the GT4's running temps are higher too. I have Mobil 1 5W-50 and on the street my temp runs between 225-235, with no correlation I've been able to find between ambient temp, my driving style, etc.

I did the math on the oil temp bar and I think I remember calculating that the red zone starts at 290, so there's still plenty of leeway. I remember a video about the current M5 where Albert Biermann said that the oil could handle temps as high as 300 F, fwiw.

Quikag

As another data point (to jphughan's M5 reference), the Vette oil over-temp warning comes on around 320F or 325F which is ridiculous. That is insane and I'd never go that high personally. It does show that synthetic doesn't break down until very high temperatures. Of course, you should change oil frequently if you're running anywhere close to that hot.

Anyway, 240F is nothing.

Bossing

Even 250-260 track oil temps is okay... consistent 280 and higher then get nervous. Just change oil frequently if tracked.

neanicu

Hell,I hit 250F on the street the way I drive...

orthojoe

Exactly. The car is meant to run at that temperature. The fact it doesn't rise even with track use in brutal heat is a testament to the cooling system

laranja

I've wondered about that - for me with Sport on, it's running cooler on the track than the freeway.

I suppose it's more efficient running hotter without Sport on?

9001rpm

Agreed.

One of my favorite things about GT Pcars is they really don't need anything out of the box. Porsche definitely set the standard for the track day toy. Competition is somewhat catching up but it still not uncommon to hear other manufacturers track day specials going into limp mode, overheating (coolant, trans, oil, or all lol), and/or etc.

Quikag

What other street cars can hack HARD track sessions in medium to hot ambient temp days from a cooling system standpoint?

I think the Gen V Vipers are very good from what I've heard and seen. Obviously, all the Porsche GT cars. What else? Can a 458 or 488 Ferrari handle? What about the MacLarens? Audi R8/Lambo? Track pack GT350? I heard the new BMW M3's actually have a pretty robust cooling package which is impressive given the turbo motor. But it's not that fast on the track anyway. Cool car though. ATS-V?

I can't think of much else. I bet the lower power Miata's and whatnot do okay, but cars under 350hp or so don't count in this thread for cooling system purposes. Not hard to cool 160hp, etc.

golfnutintib

me also 250F on 100 degree ambient days w gt4

i have plenty experience with my c7 corvette z06 with overheat issues... its well known that good full synthetics like M1 or Castrol start to degrade above 300F

driving on street/highway cruise i will press sport to run oil a bit cooler than w/o sport...maybe extend its life a teeny weeny bit

bhk1004

After having to upgrade cooling in my gtr very happy with the temps on the gt4.