Track day: Very impressive, can I improve cooling?

[pfbz]

Got out these evening in the new (to me) S281 SC for some hot laps at an open track event, High Plains Raceway.

I've done many track days at HPR, but the first time out in the Saleen.

First off, I was very impressed... Most of my track days have been in significantly lighter cars known for exceptional handling (Porsche 911, Porsche Cayman S, Honda S2000) and I expected the significantly heavier Saleen to give up quite a bit in the handling department, but I found the handling, while very different, to be really excellent. Great grip, little to no push, very stable in fast corners and under braking. The lack of push in the corners was perhaps the most surprising.

Power of course was excellent, and the 14"/4-pot stop-tech (Saleen) brake setup modulated great and didn't show a hint of fade (I did fully flush and replace the brake fluid with Ate Typ 200 before the event).

Overall, it was just a blast to drive!

The only downside that made the car anything other than a super-fun track day machine was controlling coolant temperature. At 8/10's or so, I could lope around the track without any cooling issues. When I went up to 9/10's and pushed the car harder, full throttle on all the straights, late braking, etc, the coolant gauge would start to climb to the red. A half lap or so of backing off a bit and temperatures would go back to normal. It never burped any coolant.
It was also an extremely hot day, 96 degrees ambient. Zero issues with overheating on normal street driving.

Any advice on controlling coolant temperatures?

[Razorbed]

You allready have hood vents, so : bigger radiator, Mishimoto for example.
FRPP is offering a 2005-2014 radiator fan, same unit you find on the 2014 GT500.

[pfbz]

Thinking of trying the Ford Racing cooling fan used in the 2013 Shelby GT500 as the first step to improve track cooling. Evidently a bolt-in replacement for the stock fan and feedback on some vendor sites sounds like it might do the trick.

Ford part #M-8C607-MSV. About $210 at Summit Racing and other vendors.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-8c607-msvt

[2007-52]

Good talking to you today at Coffee and Cars.

In addition to the fan... I'd also recommend a better radiator. Here's a photo comparison of the stock versus the Fluidyne in mine.


You'd also benefit from a larger intercooler. Here's a photo of the stock Saleen one versus the Saleen Extreme with 2 fans on it that I put in mine too.

[pfbz]

...both look like worthy additions!