overheating issues w/a paxton?

[oufan2929]

I'm considering putting a paxton on my viper, but I go to a local 2mile road course frequently and I'm wondering if I'd have very bad overheat problems w/15minute sessions at the track? Thanks--Andy

 

[big-n-italian]

after i got my vortech running, i noticed that the car ran a bit hotter than when the car was N/A. so, i installed an adjustable thermostat, and a Spal large dia, slim-design pusher fan in front of my radiator. i think my car actually runs slightly cooler now than it ever has. my car has never been tracked, but a setup like this one may help if you are running hot.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Paxtons are better than most superchargers, and with the intercooler they do pretty good.

That said, anybody running a supercharger on a hot day at the track will notice both the engine running hotter, and the supercharger being less effective as the temps rise.

You might feel like superman early in the day, but as the temps rise the boost will drop off.

Best compromise with a supercharger is to short shift at the track.

SRT's tend to run much cooler than Gen 1 or Gen II

 

[GR8_ASP]

No issues here for the engine cooling system. I have had an issue with reduced power due to intercooler capacity issues. I would suggest a larger intercooler radiator.

 

[Viper X]

Some guys do track their Paxton cars. I tried it and didn't get very good results. With the base Paxton system and a cool day, it was OK.

On a warm day, the intercooler is too small as GR8 ASP states. This is an easy upgrade though.

I would not even try to track my current "dark side" car. It just makes way to much heat if you press on it - and I've done a bunch of things to help. I don't think it would make 10 minutes on a road course with heavy throttle without running very, very hot.

N/A is better for the track, no doubt.

Dan

 

[Dave T(BADVENM)]

I road race my SRT ram (5000 pounds) with a Paxton, DC flash with a 170 thermostat, etc and had no problems whatsoever.

I'm now running the stock Paxton exchanger as well as X-metals custom heat exchanger. My first road race event of this year will be next weekend in Pueblo, CO.

 

[oufan2929]

would a water **** kit help very much?

 

[oufan2929]

do I need to go w/the cc oil pan? or can I get away w/the stock oil pan?

 

[plumcrazy]

i guess a CC pan would be better but not necessary

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

If you are going to the track I would really recommend the CC pan. In the end it will be cheap insurance. We have 2 instock if you decide you need one.

 

[Viper X]

"oufan2929 - do I need to go w/the cc oil pan? or can I get away w/the stock oil pan?"

Depends. If you drive aggressively and don't install the CC oil pan, you will likely lose your engine. I've seen about one SRT engine go at every Viper Days event I've been to due to oil starvation. This is on street tires. If you install race compound tires, it's a certainty.

If you drive sedan laps, you should be fine.

Cheap insurance as Mark says

Dan

 

[ILLSMOQ]

As far as the oil pan/oil starvation goes...You can watch the oil pressure drop on longer left hand sweepers. As the G-forces pull all the oil to the right side of the engine, the oil pick up starts to run dry.

I constantly glance back to the oil pressure gauge on the left turns....and let off as soon as I see it start to drop. This is on the street and back roads. I run a little extra oil as well.

With the stock oil pan I wouldn't risk taking the car to the track. From what I've been reading on the subject, even the CC pan is not 100% guaranteed to protect your engine.

 

[X-Metal]

I road race my SRT ram (5000 pounds) with a Paxton, DC flash with a 170 thermostat, etc and had no problems whatsoever.

I'm now running the stock Paxton exchanger as well as X-metals custom heat exchanger. My first road race event of this year will be next weekend in Pueblo, CO.

sup Dave!
if you are going to roadrace it, put on a Comp Coupe pan, swinging pickup, and a better heat exchanger. i wouldnt hesitate to install an accusump, becuase then if oil psi drops below 15, it will automatically pressurize 3 qts of oil back into the engine from its reserve tank. also its great insurance at startup, because when you turn the key on, it prelubes the engine with 3 qts of oil BEFORE you start the engine.
we make a double pass billet aluminum heat exchanger for the paxton, that drops temps by 30-40 degrees, and we have great succes with running then anywhere.

 

[Viper X]

"With the stock oil pan I wouldn't risk taking the car to the track. From what I've been reading on the subject, even the CC pan is not 100% guaranteed to protect your engine."

ILLSMOQ is correct with this statement. I run an Accusump on my track car and on my Paxton beast. So do a few others.

Problems are even worse on long, fast, right hand sweepers as the oil cannot get back into the pick up area.

A few guys have successfully modded the cc oil pan baffle and pan itself. These modded units work better than the first generation cc oil pan.

Contact Kevin Singleton at Exotic Engine for more info.

Dan