Today at the track, for the very first time, I got a gauge reading: high temp on trann - or something of that nature.
I got that on my 4th 15 minute session on the track. Towards the last of about a dozen laps on that heat. I have never seen this message before...I cruised that whole lap...just to be on the safe side.
My question is...has anyone got this message before? The car has 37,000 miles and the tranny fluid was changed (to stock specs/fluid) at 33,000 miles.
Also...my brakes got very spongy for the first time ever. I haven't changed the fluid as of yet...so it still has the same one. What fluid do you guys recommend?
Next time I am at the dealership I am going to (keep in mind this car is solely for autox and track use):
1. Get the radiator flushed and refilled with Dex-cool (or should I consider another coolant for track use?)
2. Get the differential fluid changed (I don't think it has ever been changed...any suggestions?)
3. Get the brake system bled...what fluid do you guys recommend?
3. I did not consider getting the tranny fluid changed, but, I am a little concerned since I got this message...what fluid do you guys suggest?
1. Get the radiator flushed and refilled with Dex-cool (or should I consider another coolant for track use?)
2. Get the differential fluid changed (I don't think it has ever been changed...any suggestions?)
3. Get the brake system bled...what fluid do you guys recommend?
3. I did not consider getting the tranny fluid changed, but, I am a little concerned since I got this message...what fluid do you guys suggest?
Thanks a bunch guys!!
Angel
1. Dexcool is fine just change every couple years.
2. Yes change it I use Amsoil 75W-90 with the posi additive
3. Yes I use ATE super blue Type 200 which is Amber color but you can use Motul 600 or Wilwoods fluid and others they are DOT 4's not the Dot 3 that is stock.
4. Change the Tranny fluid to a good synthetic fluid that meets Dexron III specs like Amsoils You can also use Redline D4 or Mobil1 as well and you should see a temp reduction. If you are going to race often you may want to get a tranny cooler package. GM makes a T1 cooler for the car maybe PM DJ Worm or Subdriver for the specs and routing.
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SIG by GR8 WHITE 2002 Quicksilver/Black (Sold)NCM Member.
1. Dexcool is fine just change every couple years.
2. Yes change it I use Amsoil 75W-90 with the posi additive
3. Yes I use ATE super blue Type 200 which is Amber color but you can use Motul 600 or Wilwoods fluid and others they are DOT 4's not the Dot 3 that is stock.
4. Change the Tranny fluid to a good synthetic fluid that meets Dexron III specs like Amsoils You can also use Redline D4 or Mobil1 as well and you should see a temp reduction. If you are going to race often you may want to get a tranny cooler package. GM makes a T1 cooler for the car maybe PM DJ Worm or Subdriver for the specs and routing.
awesome...thanks for the VERY valuable feedback...
What is a good source to order these items from?
The same things that you experienced most folks have as well whenever we are on a hot track.
You my find, for your own peace of mind, that the following may become winter projects:
1) cool your brakes - DRM (Doug Rippie) brake ducts and Phoenix spindle ducts. The potential for rotor cracking and/or warping is reduced, as is fade.
2) cool your tranny and differential with DRM (or GM) coolers. These are electric pumps that can be either temperature engaged or manual. I prefer manual as I can start them up after I leave the grid.
3) cool your engine with a Ron Davis radiator with internal oil cooler.
awesome...thanks for the VERY valuable feedback...
What is a good source to order these items from?
Anyone else?
I got started on the Amsoil fluids from Brad aka Subdriver on here and CF. They work really well. He is also a wealth of knowledge on racing the Z as he has for several years. Good luck on your racing. Don
If you are going to continue to track the car, I would do all the coolers ASAP, or you will be replacing expensive parts sooner rather than later. I did not use a diff cooler, and had to replace the diff after one year of tracks days and one year of wheel to wheel (I added cooler with new diff). I did use a trans cooler but had to rebuild my trans but due to damaging it when the clutch went out and / or because I did not add the cooler until 2/3 of the way through the first year. My engine oil cooler, so far, has helped save the engine. You must do brake ducts (and to really keep 'em cool, get big Stoptechs and put the front calipers on rear), you may need a big rad. If you get the big rad consider integrated engine oil cooler rather than separate.
These are fabulous track cars but take it from experience the heat demands management.
If you are going to continue to track the car, I would do all the coolers ASAP, or you will be replacing expensive parts sooner rather than later. I did not use a diff cooler, and had to replace the diff after one year of tracks days and one year of wheel to wheel (I added cooler with new diff). I did use a trans cooler but had to rebuild my trans but due to damaging it when the clutch went out and / or because I did not add the cooler until 2/3 of the way through the first year. My engine oil cooler, so far, has helped save the engine. You must do brake ducts (and to really keep 'em cool, get big Stoptechs and put the front calipers on rear), you may need a big rad. If you get the big rad consider integrated engine oil cooler rather than separate.
These are fabulous track cars but take it from experience the heat demands management.
Thanks for the heads up. The track events that are do are only twice per month (10-12 a year)...and they consist of 15 minute heats...wait 45 minutes and go on for another 15 minutes...x 4...so 1 hour every event of track time or two hours per month x 6 months = 12 hours...
I thought I could address the issue by simply replacing the fluids but based on the feedback from people here, the coolers to the tranny and the diff are probably necessary - the only problem with those is that they would most definitely bump me from a Super Stock class to either an ASP or an SM2....
Angel,
High tranny temp warning is very common for the Z06 on the track (not auto-x). I got one my very first DE. Warning comes in at about 274-277F or so.
Problem with the C5 and C5 Z06 is that the tranny and diff are in the back of the car, tucked in between the exhaust and muffler, they are bolted together, they hold relatively little fluid, there is little cooling airflow there, and the car has no tranny or diff cooler. This all equates to lots of heat in and little heat out.
Tranny and diff cooler really is not necessary for an auto-x. For a track event, the decision you have to make is whether a cooler is worth it given the tradeoff of bumping you up into another class at auto-x events. You always have the option of pulling in and letting the tranny cool down at a track day event.
At the temps you are seeing, even good synthetics like AMSOIL don't last forever. I have a tranny cooler and I still change my tranny and diff fluid about every fourth track weekend or so. I use AMSOIL ATF for the tranny (which meets GM Dexron III standards for the Z06 manual) and AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90 for the diff. If you change these yourself, having something like this will be required to pump the fluids up into the diff and tranny: AMSOIL Hand Pump. Finally, the AMSOIL Severe Gear 75w90 comes with friction modifier in it and adding extra is not normally needed. Some guys do add a bottle of friction modifier such as the AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive to prevent differential chatter, but I've never needed to do that in my diff.
As for brakes, I am currently using Wilwood EXP 600 Plus which has a very high wet and dry boiling point. Note that this fluid doesn't meet OEM specs. I also suggest you upgrade to track pads. I race on Carbotechs and think these pads are the best, but also very reasonably priced. I race on XP11 front and XP10 rear on R compound track tires such as the Kumho V710. You might start at XP10 front, XP8 rear if you are on stock tires. These pads are carried by forum vendor pfyc.com.
Angel,
High tranny temp warning is very common for the Z06 on the track (not auto-x). I got one my very first DE. Warning comes in at about 274-277F or so.
Problem with the C5 and C5 Z06 is that the tranny and diff are in the back of the car, tucked in between the exhaust and muffler, they are bolted together, they hold relatively little fluid, there is little cooling airflow there, and the car has no tranny or diff cooler. This all equates to lots of heat in and little heat out.
Tranny and diff cooler really is not necessary for an auto-x. For a track event, the decision you have to make is whether a cooler is worth it given the tradeoff of bumping you up into another class at auto-x events. You always have the option of pulling in and letting the tranny cool down at a track day event.
At the temps you are seeing, even good synthetics like AMSOIL don't last forever. I have a tranny cooler and I still change my tranny and diff fluid about every fourth track weekend or so. I use AMSOIL ATF for the tranny (which meets GM Dexron III standards for the Z06 manual) and AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90 for the diff. If you change these yourself, having something like this will be required to pump the fluids up into the diff and tranny: AMSOIL Hand Pump. Finally, the AMSOIL Severe Gear 75w90 comes with friction modifier in it and adding extra is not normally needed. Some guys do add a bottle of friction modifier such as the AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive to prevent differential chatter, but I've never needed to do that in my diff.
As for brakes, I am currently using Wilwood EXP 600 Plus which has a very high wet and dry boiling point. Note that this fluid doesn't meet OEM specs. I also suggest you upgrade to track pads. I race on Carbotechs and think these pads are the best, but also very reasonably priced. I race on XP11 front and XP10 rear on R compound track tires such as the Kumho V710. You might start at XP10 front, XP8 rear if you are on stock tires. These pads are carried by forum vendor pfyc.com.
What track did you run at, Heartland Park?
Whoa...thanks for the VERY detailed feedback. Can you pm me your number and information? I will give you a call to get some stuff ordered.
The track events I do are only HPCC's...I don't do wheel to wheel. I am going to hang up the towel in autox as I am enjoying the track events more and more.
Yes, 90% of the events i have done were at HPT and I have done a handful at Summit Point in VA.
Whoa...thanks for the VERY detailed feedback. Can you pm me your number and information? I will give you a call to get some stuff ordered.
The track events I do are only HPCC's...I don't do wheel to wheel. I am going to hang up the towel in autox as I am enjoying the track events more and more.
Yes, 90% of the events i have done were at HPT and I have done a handful at Summit Point in VA.
Again...thanks for the great feedback.
Angel
Angel,
Sorry I missed this reply. Just dropped you a PM with pricing information and information on the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program.
I raced at HPT a few times before they modified the front straight, and once after. That kink in the front straight is a wild ride. It looks like the track is getting some pretty good upgrades for the SCCA Runoffs there this October.
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