NYoutftr

What is the acceptable range of water temp for a street driven 996 on track days?

What is the point at which you should pit if it gets too high.

I have a dash mounted OBD II Scan gauge.
I can monitor water temp and MAP Air temp, but not oil temp.

I am starting to experiment with higher rpm (lower gear) driving and seeing water temps up 7-8 degrees hotter.
Ambient temp ranges 70 - 83 degrees.

Any input would help. Some summer track days ahead, I don't want any surprises.

David

Quadcammer

210 is normal
220 is normal but keep an eye on it
230 you may want to try an easy lap
235 time to pit, something is wrong

My temps hit 220 quick, but hold there.

Just my opinion

Veloce Raptor

220, 221, whatever it takes

NYoutftr

OK, thank you

I was concerned during the last week or two, driving on interstate keeping rpms in the 4500 - 5200 rpm range, ambient temp high 70s - low 80s, duration up to 20 minutes, the water temp would climb to 207-212.

Normal rpm 3200-3900 it stays right at 195 - 197

jscott82

Curious, why are you keeping the revs so high? I asune this is steady state cruising?

NYoutftr

There recently have been more threads on CAI for 996 cars. People arguing back and forth about aftermarket CAIs. I put a new BMC air filter (stock Air Box) in a couple weeks ago, so I set my scan gauge (see pic below) to monitor intake air temp in real time, I was amazed on how efficient the factory air box is at keeping the air temp down coming into the the motor.

Then there was just a thread on oil temp at WGI, being too hot, it peaked my curiosity for temps during a track day event.

I flipped one of the four readouts to engine water temp,the digital readout is much more sensitive than the Porsche gauge on the dash, I could watch the water temp fluctuate in traffic and from morning to afternoon ambient temps.

I tried to simulate taxing the motor with higher rpm range for a prolonged period of time, as what would be in a 20 minute HPDE session.
When the temps were in the area of 210, I was concerned that something may not be right, and I did not want a mishap due to negligence on my part.
I maintain the car very well.

I anticipate my first of the year, HPDE coming in a few weeks that is a 3.5-4.0 hour drive for me, and I don't have a trailer.

I normally drive in the 3200 - 3900 rpm range, the motor seems to like even TPS and 3900 rpm better than 3000 rpm, based on projected mpg (measured in real time via scan gauge)

TXE36

Pretty close to what I do. If temps are below 100F, I expect max temp to be about 210, maybe 215 at the end of the session. If it is really hot, more than 100F outside, then 220 is okay. Above that and I would back off. IIRC, my thermostat is about 185F.

Now this is for a rather old E36 M3 with a simple cooling system, water pump, radiator, fan, and fixed thermostat. Some more modern stuff goofs around with altering the engine temp while running using a variable thermostat of some kind.

One important thing is to have good ducting to and from the radiator as you want the air going through it rather than around it. Also make sure your radiator is good - both good quality and in good condition.

If your system is in good condition, it should maintain that 207-212F under those conditions when it is 100F outside. I would guess you have a 200F or so thermostat. I would not run the AC on the track.

-Mike

docwyte

My 996 turbo holds 190 in Colorado in high 90's temps

garrett376

My J-class 02 996 will do a 70 minute Enduro in 100+ degree ambient temps and the temp gauge has never gone higher than half way between the 180 and the next mark on the gauge. I have stock radiators filled with tire boogers from 10 years of racing, and also have an OEM center radiator full of rocks and tire pieces, vented downwards (stock bumper with no slots). For 25 minute sprint races the temp will sit 1-2mm or so above the 180 mark. I'd be surprised if you need to pit due to overheating at a DE. I've never had to worry about engine temperatures since going from air-cooled 911s to a 996 for club racing.

177mph

Right over their heads....

Veloce Raptor

Yep

Quadcammer

that stock dash gauge is pretty useless though

Veloce Raptor

Yes, the OEM gauge is heavily buffered to dead center

NYoutftr

Stock gauge in dash barely moves as digital readout moves up snd down 15 degrees

NYoutftr

Apparently over my head,
What did I not get?