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ISF overheating at the track?

10020 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  Flipside909
Hey all,
I'm new to the ISF site, this is my first post, but have been following the various subjects related to the ISF since I got mine (silver on black). Traded an '07 RS4 for the ISF, and so far I really like it! The transmission is what sold me, and I'm really impressed with it every time I put it in manual and shift at red-line! I live in Colorado Springs, where the altitude is about 6,000'.
The point of my post is this: I recently had my ISF at Pueblo Motorsports Park for a track day, along with my '08 Cayman S which my my wife drove.
It was hot (about 91 degress) and high (Pueblo is little lower than Colo. Springs at about 5,200'), and after about 5 laps...12 minutes or so, I noticed the temp getting higher. I was having a blast, and didn't really want to shut it down, so I pushed it for another lap and a half while keeping an eye on the guage, and finally had to back off as the temp guage began flashing repeatedly. No coolant overflow or other obvious symtoms.
After a couple cool-down laps, and about a half hour parked under a tree, I went out for a few more laps, 3-4, with no problem, but the initial overheating issue has been nagging me. I know the combination of temp and altitude made for difficult conditions, but I also drove my Caymen S several times for longer periods with absolutely no overheating issues.
Anyone had a similar experience?
A few other track-related observations;
1. brakes are incredible...no signs of fading whatsoever, and they have a really nice initial bite...I know some magazines have complained about them being too "grabby" on the street, but on the track they're awsome.
2. Tranny makes you feel like an F1 pilot...both upshifting & down. Super fun, and definately quicker and less fatiqueing than a stick & clutch. The audible upshift alarm is helpful, you just wait for the beep & bang the shifter...helpful when you're driving at the limit.
3. Handling in sport mode is truly inspiring for an almost 4,000 lb car. Plus, with the trac control off, you can do some really fun sustained 2nd gear drifts...not the quick way around, but definately the fun way!
4. Tires; judging by this day of about 20 total laps (granted, some by my wife at a more sedate pace), I'd guess you could get 4-5 hard track days before they're gone.
All-in-all a very impressive sedan. There's just that nagging overheating issue. I plan to do another track day in a week or so, I'll update afterward.
In the meantime, please let me/us know if anyone else has had similar issues.
Sorry this is so long, I didn't mean to write a book.
Thanks, Bruce
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Welcome to the site!! :D

This is the first time I have heard about the IS-F getting really hot real quick during race time. I have no idea why this would be, it is designed for higher speeds. Perhaps the temp you were at was a little high for the car. I have no idea what the ideal temperature to run these engines is (according to a friend, it is between 55-70 degrees, but I have no idea how accurate that is). It could just be a combination of the altitude and heat....

It's funny you mention your engine getting hot though, I recently did one lap around a track here in Texas with my IS-F in muggy, 98 degree weather. As I was slowing down the car towards the end of the lap, the oil temp. gauge had risen one bar, which I found interesting. I'm just going to guess its because it was so hot and muggy as it hasn't happened before

I hope someone can help you better, in face I'm sure someone can :) Welcome again :cool:
I have drivin several IS-F's at the AutoBahn here in Chicago. I have only seen the temp gauge get up there once, but after I let it "cool" down we were out there again for more. The wierd thing is it only happened once, and at the beginning... After that, it took the track,heat and us driving it hard with no issues.. That day it was 92 degree out there, in dirct sun, and high humidity. Typical Chicago summer weather...
From my track time 120 mile in 20 minute sessions at sea level they coolant temp was in nominal range. oil temp did climb to 4 bars, never saw that on public roads. Q for Bruce, did it just get higher than road temp or did it overheat? Altitude definatly increase the heat so perhaps that is the sole problem. I think its time for isfchamp to weigh in.
Altitude definatly increase the heat so perhaps that is the sole problem.
That is what I'm thinking. I'm hoping it was just cause it was so hot and muggy out that mine did it, but Bruce, his could definitely be caused by the altitude difference. :D
Ran a few cars very hard in Vegas for multiple laps on a road course and a few here as well with no issues (even in 100 plus degree weather) , but we have like 0% humidity and are at 2600 feet. Sorry never experienced it.
not unusual

Track cars typicaly will overheat. The isf is made to last you but technicaly speaking it still is street car with track like qualities. So, if you want to track the ISF Cooling is very very important . Change your coolant to one more suited for track. ad a substance called water weter. or use the leading race coolant. Upgrade the radiator. track eats cars ! just remember that.\:cool:



On the Other side , the ISF does put out that particular Sweet atifreeze smell on certin hot days . I always Assume its the overflow tank venting.
worth letting your dealership know. OVerheating will reduce the timing and reduce performance and not to metn:confused: ion warp the crap out of the block and heads._(Catastrophic)
That is what I'm thinking. I'm hoping it was just cause it was so hot and muggy out that mine did it, but Bruce, his could definitely be caused by the altitude difference. :D


I tested the ISF at well over 14K FEET up top of Mt evans and no overheating
but the higher you go the cooler and the less power the engine makes so that is that. i say you lack fluid or its cross contaminated with some thing like a little oil. Check it.
Which of the two brands of tires were you running on the track? Just curious.
I've ran the IS-F several times at Laguna Seca and CA Speedway hard with no issues at all. If anything, when I was at Laguna, one of the other drivers got the brakes so hot, it caught on fire. The driver didn't know they were running hot at all until he stopped. He even said there was no brake fade...they were that good!
Wow, I hope this is not a systemic problem, maybe just something with that one car. I'm off to a track days driving school at Sebring in two weeks, so I'll report back when I return. I suspect it will be pretty warm and humid, as it always is here in Florida in September.
I've ran the IS-F several times at Laguna Seca and CA Speedway hard with no issues at all. If anything, when I was at Laguna, one of the other drivers got the brakes so hot, it caught on fire. The driver didn't know they were running hot at all until he stopped. He even said there was no brake fade...they were that good!
:eek: They caught fire?! Holy shi*
The guys driving were on the brakes hard. Laguna Seca is pretty hard on the brakes with the drastic elevation changes and what not. The factory Brembos do their job well.
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