24 Hour Endurance Race Reliability

[Grishbok]

The FA20 tends to run a little on the hot side with regards to oil temperatures. I would highly suggest an oil cooler before running an enduro.

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

We have experience in 24hr endurance races. I don't see why the FR-S / BRZ would not make it with the right modifications for such a race.

Asking any bone stock car to last a 24hr "race" is a hard task. Feel free to PM if you need assistance. What series are you going to run it in?

-JB

[ayau]

Didn't the gazoo 86 just finish a 24 enduro? Granted the car was modified to suit the race.

[rice_classic]

The secret to any enduro (4 hours or 25 hours) is keeping things cool. An oil cooler is a no-brainer, a big one if going force induction. I would also consider a cooler for the transmission and a large rear diff housing with aluminum cooling fins.

I would also remove the stock tank and install a quick-fill fuel cell. I would also consider pre-programmed maps to switches on the dash that can be triggered for the sake of changing a/f to lower temps/save fuel/increase power.

Big brake kit without a doubt and brake ducts. I would reinforce the suspension, frame and would remove the axles and wheel bearings, remove all the grease and replace it with greases for racing applications.

Since the day I bought this car I've been thinking about doing the 25 hour @ Thunderhill in it, if I had another 100k sitting around but the theoretical exercise is quite fun.

I would probably use the 986 Refrigerant cool shirt system as well to keep the driver cool too. A cool driver is a happy driver.

I think the engine, transmission and rear diff can handle a 24 hour enduro just with appropriate modifications regarding tuning and cooling and fluids.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by _F-R-S_

I imagine severe engine failue due to overheating..... this car gets hott only 10 minutes of easy cruising. cant imagine 24 hour hard pushing.

actually the car has an ignition and fueling sequence that heats up the motor faster, the quicker a motor reaches optimal running temps, the less wear and tear....

right after spark is made, the DI spurts a little bit more fuel in the combustion chamber to heat things up a bit, thats why our engines heat up so quickly, there is a write up on the forums but im too lazy to look for it....

[Crawford]

I raced ours at California Speedway which is a very high speed track and had no heating issues at all in the twenty minuet sessions.

Team Crawford

[AVOturboworld]

I've participated in 4 hour enduro's with spec MX5 Miata's in Japan, both as a driver and as pit crew for several years. They were basically prepped, but otherwise stock. They held up fairly well, all things considered, but more than once we nearly didn't make the final few minutes due to total brake failures/rotor explosions/other random issues. And that was over 4 hours. A 24 hour enduro requires an even different mindset.

How you plan to drive it will have a huge impact. There's several ways to "enhance" the longevity of various components by simply not beating on it as hard as it's possible to. Use the brakes, but don't beat on them. Use the highest gear possible while still making good time through the corners. A lot of different ways to approach it with the idea of making it to the end of the 24 hours intact instead of trying to do the fastest lap possible, every possible lap.

And if you do it, realize that your car is going to feel about 2 years older, literally, due to the amount of concentrated abuse it will endure.

[Wes B.]

Originally Posted by FT-86 SpeedFactory

We have experience in 24hr endurance races. I don't see why the FR-S / BRZ would not make it with the right modifications for such a race.

Asking any bone stock car to last a 24hr "race" is a hard task. Feel free to PM if you need assistance. What series are you going to run it in?

-JB

As of right now, I don't know which series I'm going to run it in. Any ideas?

Originally Posted by rice_classic

The secret to any enduro (4 hours or 25 hours) is keeping things cool. An oil cooler is a no-brainer, a big one if going force induction. I would also consider a cooler for the transmission and a large rear diff housing with aluminum cooling fins.

I would also remove the stock tank and install a quick-fill fuel cell. I would also consider pre-programmed maps to switches on the dash that can be triggered for the sake of changing a/f to lower temps/save fuel/increase power.

Big brake kit without a doubt and brake ducts. I would reinforce the suspension, frame and would remove the axles and wheel bearings, remove all the grease and replace it with greases for racing applications.

Since the day I bought this car I've been thinking about doing the 25 hour @ Thunderhill in it, if I had another 100k sitting around but the theoretical exercise is quite fun.

I would probably use the 986 Refrigerant cool shirt system as well to keep the driver cool too. A cool driver is a happy driver.

I think the engine, transmission and rear diff can handle a 24 hour enduro just with appropriate modifications regarding tuning and cooling and fluids.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably have to invest in most of those modifications before attempting an endurance race.

Originally Posted by AVOturboworld

I've participated in 4 hour enduro's with spec MX5 Miata's in Japan, both as a driver and as pit crew for several years. They were basically prepped, but otherwise stock. They held up fairly well, all things considered, but more than once we nearly didn't make the final few minutes due to total brake failures/rotor explosions/other random issues. And that was over 4 hours. A 24 hour enduro requires an even different mindset.

How you plan to drive it will have a huge impact. There's several ways to "enhance" the longevity of various components by simply not beating on it as hard as it's possible to. Use the brakes, but don't beat on them. Use the highest gear possible while still making good time through the corners. A lot of different ways to approach it with the idea of making it to the end of the 24 hours intact instead of trying to do the fastest lap possible, every possible lap.

And if you do it, realize that your car is going to feel about 2 years older, literally, due to the amount of concentrated abuse it will endure.

I understand. Thanks for the info.

[Grateful Dave]

Originally Posted by _F-R-S_

I imagine severe engine failue due to overheating..... this car gets hott only 10 minutes of easy cruising. cant imagine 24 hour hard pushing.

I drove my FRS in 100+ degrees weather for over 3 hours driving 75+ mph and no problem. The temp gauge never went up.

[celica73]

Originally Posted by Crawford Performance

I raced ours at California Speedway which is a very high speed track and had no heating issues at all in the twenty minuet sessions.

Team Crawford

Any chance you were logging oil temperature?

20 minutes is a far cry from an enduro, but I don't think it's relevant since my gut tells me that the original poster is just dreaming out loud.

SCCA and NASA both run enduros, and even an occasional 12/24 hour race for amateurs. I don't know anything about NASA classing, but the car strikes me as an SSB car for SCCA. Once you modify it, it will be hopelessly outclassed in some faster catch-all. It's not eligible for improved touring for another 6 years.

I suppose you could show up at a Lemons or Chump race just for fun, but you will be given about 1000 penalty laps, so it will be strictly for fun.

If you are thinking Sebring or Daytona (AMLS/Grand Am), those are pro races and I suggest you get ready to write a check for $100,000+ to actually play there.

Scott

[celica73]

Originally Posted by Grateful Dave

I drove my FRS in 100+ degrees weather for over 3 hours driving 75+ mph and no problem. The temp gauge never went up.

Not relevant to the conversation. Unless you were in 3rd gear the entire time.

[#87]

You can't run stock brakes at minimum

[Wes B.]

Originally Posted by celica73

Any chance you were logging oil temperature?

20 minutes is a far cry from an enduro, but I don't think it's relevant since my gut tells me that the original poster is just dreaming out loud.

SCCA and NASA both run enduros, and even an occasional 12/24 hour race for amateurs. I don't know anything about NASA classing, but the car strikes me as an SSB car for SCCA. Once you modify it, it will be hopelessly outclassed in some faster catch-all. It's not eligible for improved touring for another 6 years.

I suppose you could show up at a Lemons or Chump race just for fun, but you will be given about 1000 penalty laps, so it will be strictly for fun.

If you are thinking Sebring or Daytona (AMLS/Grand Am), those are pro races and I suggest you get ready to write a check for $100,000+ to actually play there.

Scott

As of right now, I am kind of dreaming out loud. I have participated in a number of 20 and 30 minute amateur events, and I would love to try an endurance race. I'm just curious if this car is up to the task...

Thanks for the info. on the classifications.

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by celica73

Any chance you were logging oil temperature?

20 minutes is a far cry from an enduro, but I don't think it's relevant since my gut tells me that the original poster is just dreaming out loud.

SCCA and NASA both run enduros, and even an occasional 12/24 hour race for amateurs. I don't know anything about NASA classing, but the car strikes me as an SSB car for SCCA. Once you modify it, it will be hopelessly outclassed in some faster catch-all. It's not eligible for improved touring for another 6 years.

I suppose you could show up at a Lemons or Chump race just for fun, but you will be given about 1000 penalty laps, so it will be strictly for fun.

If you are thinking Sebring or Daytona (AMLS/Grand Am), those are pro races and I suggest you get ready to write a check for $100,000+ to actually play there.

Scott

hmmm, I'd love to do lemons next year.