Over heating problem at track

I've been overheating my 2000 C2 996 at DE's after 10-12 minutes of hot lapping (eg 1.48's @ Mid-Ohio, 2.20's @ Watkins, 1.38's @ Mosport). My dealer changed the reservoir but still the car gets into the red. I'm installing the Tip front rad to help with the cooling. Does NE1 have any other suggestions?

The third radiator should do it. But, you can also use Red Line's <a href="http://www.redlineoil.com/redlineoil/wwti.htm" target="_blank">Water Wetter</a> additive and it works great.

460 Euros from Carnewal... Loren on this board has installed one.

Make sure your radiators are cleaned out and there is no debris affecting the air flow.

Excellent recommendation Greg! I cleaned mine out 2 weeks ago, and could not believe the amount of garbage that came out. And I do believe she is running cooler by a few degrees.

DO NOT MIX ANYTHING WITH YOUR 996 COOLANT!!!! I know watter wetter works in other case (very well in fact.) But I have been told that it does not mix with the green stuff in our 996's...and it will void a lot of stuff if you are found to have added this stuff.... Have them take off your front bumber loosen your ac condenser and blow clean your radiators and condenser...AC will love you for it too... You will see then take out at least 3 lbs of crap from your car....if that does not work...put in the GT3 front radiator. But I don't think you'll need it... I live in Orlando..and I have done events in the summer....I have not over heated yet....but I do get it cleaned out every now and then...about $150 bucks from my dealer....

Here is a link to my <a href="http://web.dsldesigns.com/~ljcook/radiator/index.html" target="_blank">installation instructions</a> for the 3rd radiator. It lowered my temps by 10-20 degrees (F).

Dang Armando: "Armando Ramirez Speed Yellow 2000 996 Factory GT3 Aero Kit GT3 Roll-Bar GT3 Race Seats GT3 Cup Sway Bars JRZ's, Eibach Springs (450/600) A-Arm & Shock Mono-***** Fab-Speed Intake and Exhaust Stereo Stock Head Unit Q-Series MB-Quart (4)210's & (2)164's Xtant Amp, (2) Small 8' subs (just enough base with NO thump!!!!!)" You've been REAL busy on that car since I last rode in it a year or two ago!!!!!!! BTW, I installed the 3rd radiator a couple weeks go. It should come in handy (in fact I think it's required) for use with TPC's supercharger if they roll it out :-)

Check your radiator for blockage because it shouldn't happen. I do a few track sessions and it has never gotten past the white marker after the 0. Temps where I run at the track(Thunderhill) run 100 plus and runs go for 20 minutes and I drive pretty hard. Hope it's just an easy thing. Mike

Everybody seems to think that the 996 WILL overheat with hot lapping. Is this normal? I did a full 30 minute run at Mid-Ohio in mid 80 ambient temp where my best time was 1.54 and worst was 1.59 during the run (hey, I'm a novice, first time in Mid-Ohio). The temp gauge stayed just a tad above 180, then came down to 180 during the cool down. When (not if ) I get better, should I plan on getting the extra radiator because the car WILL DEFINITELY overheat? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

"Everybody seems to think that the 996 WILL overheat with hot lapping. Is this normal?" I dunno but mine would sure get hot on our "spirited" mountain drives before the radiator. I've not been out there since the install but am curious if it stays cooler now.

All excellent suggestions. Loren, if my mechanic has problems I'll direct him to your detailed installation. I'm at Lime Rock this Fri-Sat then NHIS Mon-Tue. Brackets for mounting rad is on b/o. So I'll try running 15 minutes hot then shut it down. Weather looks to be cooler so this should help.

My 01 C4 is getting a GT3 center radiator installed in the morning (8/22/02).

I ran my 996 C2 at Sebring just the other week. I never saw it go over the 3rd line of the guage with a 93F air temp and high humidity. Granted I was not pushing as hard as I could have and ran maybe 25 minute sessions, but getting into the red after 10-12 minutes sounds like something is wrong. If not debris in the radiators, perhaps you need to have the radiator system bled to remove air bubbles. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Hi Ben...Yep....It's a whole diff story now...I think when your rode with me I still trying to get used to it vs. my 88 911. You going the Roebling in Oct? (If so I'll see you there) <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

"You going the Roebling in Oct? (If so I'll see you there)" Sounds like fun, but it isn't going to work this year. That said, I will be back in your neck of the woods next month for the "master's" PDE course at Sebring. Maybe we can catch a meal. Hooters again? :-)

GT3 Center Radiator installed today. I only drove the car about 40 miles, but it seams to run cooler. I would like to know what temps others are running on 99-01 996 6 Speeds. Please let me know the outside temp, engine temp and driving conditions. Bumper to Bumper, highway, etc. Thanks

These cars have a thermostat set at between 180 and 190 (so your car will get there with or without the GT3 radiator). I was easily getting to over 190 during spirited mountain driving - especially when the temp was 90. Since the install of the radiator, it hasn't risen above that 190 thermastat setting, but I've not had a chance to really put it to the test yet.

[quote]Originally posted by C4FDR: <strong>GT3 Center Radiator installed today. I only drove the car about 40 miles, but it seams to run cooler. I would like to know what temps others are running on 99-01 996 6 Speeds. Please let me know the outside temp, engine temp and driving conditions. Bumper to Bumper, highway, etc. Thanks</strong><hr></blockquote> Mine's an '02 C4S, but if you're interested, it usually runs a hair above 180 regardless of outside temp, traffic or highway. While tracking at Mid-Ohio in mid to upper 80's ambient temp, it was at the middle or on the right edge of the 0 of the 180 mark, then back down to the hair above 180 at the end of the cool down lap.

Does the third radiator kit include any type of protection screen? If not, seems like it would be really exposed to major damage.

I've been wondering about these posts. I have had no overheating problems with the C4S, even when driven hard. I don't think there are any significant mechanical changes as far as cooling goes between the 996 models. Maybe it's those big nostrils that are on the C4S's bumper? Maybe getting the C4S/turbo bumper is a better deal due to less weight than a third radiator? Just wondering. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

"Does the third radiator kit include any type of protection screen?" Nope. In fact, you take out the plastic cover there now so it can get air.

The Tip and Boxster S models have center radiators and I have not heard about major damage issues to the radiators. I have a SpeedLingerie bra and the screen should give me some protection. I practice safe P-Car driving. I try not to tail gate cars or drive behind trucks that throw rocks out. No four wheeling on gravel roads either.

We had a similar heat problem in Summit Point WV. last month. Its weird, My friend has a "99" C2 and was spewing Anti freeze, I have an "01" and the warning light would come on after 6 laps. Temperature was 101 in the shade and the humidity was incredible. A train actually derailed in the area from the heat. Another guy with a "99" had no problems and he was faster then both of us? go figure? We are going to install the center radiator and rhe "01" Twin Turbo fender linners to get more air.

Tell me about the Turbo fender liners. Will they fit in a narrow body 996.

The Turbo inner liners are 2 piece and according to PET the 996 coupe inner liners are 1 piece. The TT liners are about $450.00 for both sides, have you thought about cutting in the venting.

Sounds like a dremel project. $450! wow

The car ran great at Lime Rock but during the FIRST SESSION at NHIS the engine failed (ie Lots of noise from the engine) . Porsche is reviewing my car & may opt to replace the engine (I WISH!!!) b/c of all my problems <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> . I will keep you posted.

The bottom of the turbo linner is wider, but the top looks OK. The reason I want it is because it has vents that are angled out. A club Racer had actually cut the Inner linner at WGI to let more air out, but it looks too exposed to me. Sticky tires could fling a heavy objet in the back of the radiator. At $ 450 i'm thinking GT3 Nose, That whole thing is about $ 1500 (Not Factory, some crap composit material) Hey Mr. Newman, Am I gonna see that new car at Lime Rock on the 25th?

I'm wondering which would be easier. Modifing the TT 2-piece liners ($450) or just buying the TT front sections with the vents and then cutting out the vented area and cuting an opening in the stock liners and then plastic riveting it in. PS.I will be testing out the center radiator install next week at Thunderhill race track.