High Transmission Temp at Laguna Seca

[Olitho]

I had a great day of driving today at Laguna Seca. It was my first time on that track. www.speedventures.net hosted another brilliant day of fun track driving. I got my 5 25 minute sessions in, but on my last session as I was burning reserve from a full tank of gas for the day, the small message panel popped up the message "Transmission Hot - 279 degrees." I pulled off and loaded up as the day was over anyway.

I have never gotten this message before. I know aftermarket oil coolers can be advisable. I guess that is what my car is telling me.

Do you track veterans have any recommendations on how to best adress this problem?

Do you feel I have cause any damage?




Thanks for your replies.

[Z06Machine]

Trans cooler. See Doug Rippie
Heat sheild Wrap on pipes by the trans. See Theromotec
Redline trans fluid

These are the suggestions I see quite a bit. I'm sure other will chime in. I will be running the LG dry sump diff pump or a Tilton pump and small cooler behind the brake duct very soon.

I have been there twice and have not got it yet, but temps were in the 50's both times. I got it once at Calif Speedway.

[Subdriver]

This is a tough issue, especially for a car under warranty. I had the same problem at one of my first DEs at Roebling Road.
My solution was the same as yours: pull in.
Some tips:
- change out the tranny fluid often given the very high temps. I use AMSOIL ATF in mine, but any Dexron III synthetic meets the requirements and will hold up to the heat better than a petroleum based tranny fluid.
- cool down the tranny when you can, e.g. when you get stuck behind slower traffic and can't pass due to the DE "rules" use a higher gear (this will also help oil temps).
- try header wrap on the exhaust around the tranny. I've read this helps but haven't done it myself.

As part of my SCCA T1 preps, Phoenix put a GM tranny cooler on mine and I haven't had an issue in the dead of summer here in Memphis in 40 minute races. But, a tranny cooler may void your drivetrain warranty depending on how your dealer views it. I would recommend discussing this with your dealer's service manager before doing it if your car is still under warranty.

[fatbillybob]

To avoid warranty issues has anyone thought of running some cooling ducts?

[01ZEE06]

LG Motorsports makes a really neat tranny/rear axle cooler.

Check it out on their website on the left of this page.....they are a vendor, and this is the unit Lou Gilotti(sp?) uses on his Speed World Challenge Racing Z06.