Cooling The Beast

[omega36]

Hey,

Now that the weather is getting warmer I was wondering if someone could help me out with a couple of questions...

Firstly, when it's about 25-30°C the GTR feels noticebly less powerful. There is also a loud whining sound coming from the engine, is this simply the radiator fan spinning faster?

Is it normal for me to feel a noticeble difference in power when the car is hotter? I could certainly feel it almost taking strain today.

The temp guage in the car seems to settle at one point and doesn't really move past there so I am assuming that this is correct or is there any way to confirm this with a digital read-out?

I also noticed that on the front of the radiator there is a smaller fan mounted to it -- what is this used for? I can't seem to find out!

Thanks guys

[jeffworld2]

the fan on the front is for the air con core, which is what its mounted to.

the sluggish response is fron the skyhigh inlet temps, not your water temps which are probably still fine. you running pods or airbox?

[omega36]

I am currently running two HKS pod filters.

So it's basically the warm air to blame for the feeling of lost power?

[heller44]

The difference between cool, and almost overheating, cannot be seen on the stock gauge. Watching my pfc hand controller there is almost a 30 degC range where the temp needle doesn't move.

[GTR1993]

the fan on the front is for the air con core, which is what its mounted to.

the sluggish response is fron the skyhigh inlet temps, not your water temps which are probably still fine. you running pods or airbox?

Engine fan is mounted to the water pump not the air con.

Edited October 12, 2008 by GTR1993

[heller44]

Whilst that is true, the fan on the front is for neither the engine (normal operation) or for the aircon. It is an overheat fan set to start when the engine temp becomes too high and runs as an emergency fan.. It can be easily wired to run as an assist fan for the aircon as well, but that is not its designed purpose.

To the OP, turbo cars are more susceptable to increased ambient temps compared to n/a cars. You should see a noticeable difference in performance.

Check your cooling system anyway, make sure that it is in good condition, good coolant /clean radiator /hoses ok /thermostat ok, usual service stuff needed if you want your car to be reliable in summer conditions.

Edited October 12, 2008 by heller44

[GTR1993]

sorry about that i completly misread what you wrote, which you were actually 100% correct, i thought you said compressor not core!

sorry

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

As you know turbocharged cars hate the heat.

I think from 16 to 22 degrees C, is the best temps from what my mechanic told me, but for me colder the better.

If you want, make a heat sheild and I think R32 GTRs have a snorkle, that should be underneith where your pods sit.

Mine has one but it looks like an aftermarket job, with all the cut out marks in the plastic.

Just make sure you have your engine oil and radiator fluid topped up and take your car to a car wash and high pressure hose your intercooler cuz you will get abit of Heat Soak that way.

[omega36]

Thanks for the tips guys, I feel bad driving the Line in hot weather!

The car has recently had it's oils changed, and a few months ago I had the coolant flushed and replaced so I think that should be all good for now

Just want to make sure it's being cooled appropriately in this hot weather.

[Godzilla32]

If your running the stock ECU it will also retard timing as ambient temps increase to avoid detonation. That will be most noticable.