High performance Vortech at track
 

I'm wondering if anybody has any experience running a relatively high power Vortech system on the track. I consider anything high power (for the Vortech) >280-300 whp.

I'm mainly concerned with temperatures at the track. I'd assume the Vortech can run stable all day at the track with a full cooling system like Robispec's (which looks pretty high quality for the $$$). I just haven't found any information out there regarding Vortech track usage.

Also, has anybody found a point where power is *too much* on the track? I still want to retain a drivable car so I'm thinking 280-300whp for track performance might be around perfect for a more balanced solution. I'm sure 400whp would be a blast and probably still drivable with a full track setup, but I just know about Evasive who has an HKS system.

Thanks. If anybody has any videos of a high performance Vortech that would be really cool, I don't think I've found any but there's plenty of more mild videos of Vortech from 220-250whp.

@448hpsti

brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling brakes and cooling

Thank you...

I've been looking at AP Sprint + robispec cooling.

Any first hand at track experience is welcome...

AP Sprint looks good. Robispec i hear is good cooling solution

I had major issue with pad fade at VIR, i'm still on stock calipers. My perrin oil cooler and koyorad radiator did their thing, no problems there. I plan on getting bigger calipers next year.

Oh, I forgot to mention-

If you have a redline of 8k rpm's and run up there all day you might blow a vacuum line under the intake manifold. I recommend getting those clamped down. 9psi at 7.4k rpm becomes 10.2psi at 8.2krpms on the stock pulley. 10psi is enough to blow a hose (the one on my car blew).

Also worth checking in with are @FT-86 SpeedFactory and @jdzumwalt

Nice. I've been very interested in a higher revvnig Vortech setup, but I'm a little worried about the engine interals supporting that... I've seen a few blown up s2000's on youtube and that doesn't make me feel good about it lol.

Are you still on 10.2 psi? e85 or 91/93?

Thanks for the input

a 300whp FT86 will DESTROY brakes much faster than it will overheat.....the factory brakes can't even keep up with a stock HP car....not nearly DOUBLE....you will need much larger brakes....the AP setup is quite good.

In terms of heat.....I found the stock cooling system works VERY well on track.....I instructed in my stock FRS during about 105F heat....I ran 9 sessions that day with NO issues....I would sit in the hot pit with the AC full blast and only turn it off on track....temp never got above 1/2...granted I wasn't pushing very hard since it was driving school, but still impressive given the heat..... However doubling HP will also increase heat ALOT so improved cooling is a good idea, at least an oil cooler....

a 300whp FT86 will DESTROY brakes much faster than it will overheat.....the factory brakes can't even keep up with a stock HP car....not nearly DOUBLE....you will need much larger brakes....the AP setup is quite good.

In terms of heat.....I found the stock cooling system works VERY well on track.....I instructed in my stock FRS during about 105F heat....I ran 9 sessions that day with NO issues....I would sit in the hot pit with the AC full blast and only turn it off on track....temp never got above 1/2...granted I wasn't pushing very hard since it was driving school, but still impressive given the heat..... However doubling HP will also increase heat ALOT so improved cooling is a good idea, at least an oil cooler....

I can answer this question as a driver with a little seat time and a tendency to drive at the limits of the car or the limits of my brain, so someone else may not run a car as hot or as hard as I do, I eat everything but the 450HP STIs at the track, miatas and mini for breakfast, s2000 for lunch, I am not a great driver, but I do go as fast as I can. All the time. I push the equipment HARD

thus for me, in PHX, I've always run the 3.33"...and now am at 2.87" so this is my take on things:

The HD radiator is a must, either a robispec or a combo of a bigg assed oil cooler and a nice radiator, either will help, the OE radiator is NOT up to the task, and an oil cooler is a must
even then, seeing oil at 240 is still a reality and so its not like you dont keep it in corner of your eye

IATs have not been a concern the Vortech FMIC is ready for whatever you wanna throw at it
the hose clamp stuff was documented months ago, so you should know about it by now if your boosted and tracking a Vortech

the biggest issue I had with the SC was that once you start to run smaller pulley setups, it gets hotter, and so does the car

you can track all day long on the 3.48 pulley and there isnt an issue with the SC, the car on the other hand get hotter than you want with oe rad and no cooler, so dont do that if you drive like me in my climate without gauges

as soon as you go to the 3.33, the sc case temps go up a hair, still below 250F,so 20 minute sessions at 95F is possible, bit not lots longer, the temps at noon are at the limits

above that power level I would be sure to keep an eye on the SC case temps, you can see water temps in the 230's and oil up near 270F tracking the 3.33 so yeah its a blast and yeah its hot, the sc is the least of the concerns really

its a blast tho\just be sure to cool down the car on that last lap etc

I dont suggest tracking a self lubed SC with anything smaller than a 3.33 now thats my experience in PHX, northern climates may let you get away with a 3.125", but the boost is pretty high, so you need some way to taper it off, or need money to buy motor parts as running 12psi on the track is asking for it

running a 12+ psi pulley with boost capped off at 10.5psi is perfect for safety, heat and power on the street, but on the track its a different ball game

the 3.33 is a sweet spot as you can run it with no EBC or wastegate if you live at 1000 feet or higher, its a no brainer, if you ask me, I prefer the top end rewards, but it is the limit of what I would do to the wifes car without a EBCS. Disclaimer, I dont recommend you go void your warranty and go run the smallest pulley you can find

they newly released oil fed sc lets me run whatever pulley I want at the track.

The need to cool is very real, I can tell you pushing the 2.87 pulley is a blast but dang that thing makes that FA20 motor hot, so power is nice but if you dont manage the heat right it can be disastrous, so do it RIGHT, and take it slow.

No such thing as too much power on the straights and the vortech power delivery is very nice to unleash at the apex! It makes you realize how fun the car can be with about a extra 100hp. While My peak HP output isnt crazy high(never wanted it to be) I have great TQ with the smaller pulley and smile from ear to ear gear after gear.

I cant wait for my next track day! Hope that helps with your question?

Are you Gmhooker?

Thank you for the info. What power are you making and are you still on 93 or e85? Just curious thanks :)

I just installed the e85 stuff last week so I havent had the time to do tuning or dyno shop time yet

We dont get 93 by me, so I have 91 and am playing with Meth, another thing I just finished up a 4 month long product development thing with aquamist.

will post when I have that info for you rest assured!