Dark8

I come from tubo land where between runs you opened the hood and let the car idle for 5-10 minutes to let the turbo/intercooler/etc. cool down. I have heard that rotaries generate a lot of heat. The car is relatively new (+1000 miles) and I will be taking it easy until I get the hang of rear wheel drive and get at least 2000 miles on it.

So, the questions are: Is it beneficial to pop the hood and motor cover between runs? Is it good practice to let the car idle to let it cool down between runs for say 5 minutes or so? Or should I even be worried about the heat buildup?

PUR NRG

I don't worry but your mileage may vary. I figure as long as the engine temp gauge doesn't creep 1/4" beyond normal there's nothing to worry about.
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Lovely Wendie99

red_rx8_red_int

I don't think it matters. That said, my last autox I lifted the hood between runs with the engine off, and had my best day.

Ophitoxaemia

cooling the intake of an EFI can result in substantial HP gains for that brief period it stays cool. i cant imagine opening the hood will by itself will make a different you could notice. but it doesnt hurt (as long as the designed airflow for the fan requires the hood to be closed- this i dont know)

james

tpryor

Bug sprayer full of alchohol, couple of bags of ice (for the intake runners).

Spray the alchohol on the radiator (if needed) and put a bag of ice on the intake runners between runs.

It can help.......

PUR NRG

tpryor, do you really do that between runs?
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tpryor

At Nationals, or at a National Tour, or at a Divisional event in Texas or Louisiana, yes I do. I even did this with the two Miata's before the 8.

When it doesn't really matter (local events, etc.), even I think it's over the top.

epitrochoid

unless youre a seasoned auto x veteran, you'll be maxing out driving skill long before the motor has a complaint. i run down here in hot, humid florida and only the occasional riced out neon ever lifts a hood between runs.

Dark8

Thanks for the info.

VividRacing.com

I usually open the hood for a few min with the engine cover off inbetween runs. It gets freakin hot hear in Phx so I do what ever I can. Having the better raditator helps too.

blksf8

many people do this when racing. I used to do this when I ran 1/4 at Pomona years back and it helped.

bmc

Well, I know many "top dogs" use insulation wraps for their tires inbetween heats. I've seen a couple of Z06's use insulation fullly wrapped around the car. The idea behind fully wrapping the car is to use the engine's heat to keep the tires warm.

One of these days, I'll try that out. I have enough insulation wrap laying around from past "HoneyDo" projects, I should be able to wrap the entire car, three or four times around.

Brian

Ophitoxaemia

some race tires you need to keep warm, although the newer ones work better at lower temps. these you often need to cool with water between runs. most street tires will need to be cooled with water.

james

Butt Dyno

Is the stock temp gauge oil or water?