95jersey

It's not hot yet, but when it gets warm outside my C6Z gets SO hot inside the cockpit (noticeably hotter than my C5Z) during track sessions, that it is almost unbearable. I wear a fire suit and that only compounds the situation. Even with the windows open, there is just little air movement inside the car to relieve one of the heat. Last year, I almost passed out coming back into the pits I was so hot.

I remember from my waxer days, they use to make a hatch extension so that the rear hatch could be lifted up slightly to provide air movement. I am thinking that little gap of a couple inches, could dramatically reduce the heat inside the car and allow the wind to actually come in through the windows and exit out of the rear hatch.

Has anyone tried this to try and reduce cockpit temperatures? Do they make this for a C6? Anyone see an issue using this for track days? I need to do something this year, and don't want to run my AC at the track.

Wayne O

I can't imagine the sponsoring organization would permit any car to run with the hatch/trunk 'open.' IMO it would be a potentially dangerous safety concern. If you find the heat that unbearable, perhaps there's a ventilated or 'cooled' driver's suit you could wear or run air ducts inside the cockpit.

I'm in Arizona so heat is just something I've learned to deal with. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can be dangerous. Don't pass out at the wheel...find a safe solution. Good luck!

wallyman424

the big problem is that the exhaust runs through the center tunnel. to really help with the heat you need to get up under there and put some shielding in place.

or get some headers that are coated with jet hot or something like it.

or the cheapest way would be to get a coolshirt and an ebay cooler/pump (50 bucks).

95jersey

I am not talking about running with the hatch open flopping around. It would be securely locked in place, but raised a couple inchs using this device:

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1612

It locks the rear hatch in place like your trunk normally would when closed.

johninar

As was mentioned above. I use a Cool Shirt. Hallett is just brutal in July/August.
Cool Shirt really makes the weekend more enjoyable.
Being 56, I need a little help dealing with the summer heat.

Wicked Weasel

Matt

Last year we wrapped my headers hoping that would reduce heat but it really didn't hold up so this year we sent them out to jet hot to be coated.

Besides the heat inside the cabin we were concerned that oil lines etc were close enough to maybe cause a problem. Nothing happen last year but we had it on the lift a lot to make sure everything was wrapped tight.

I got the extreme coating and although not cheap it does last for a very long time.

I will be running next week to see how temps are. I have a laser temp gauge so I hope to be able to compare my temps to others to get real data.

ErnieN85

I put on Melrose long tube headers last fall they are coated (jet-hot)

and the difference in the heat coming through the tunnel was astounding! down right cool things would melt in console before not any more.

Cobra4B

Coat your exhaust and get a tunnel plate w/ a heat barrier... makes a huge difference.

AU N EGL

Plus a Cool Shirt / Suit

also a cold damp rag on top of your head under your helmet does wonders.

95jersey

You guys are killing me...I really like my, "out of the box" $50 solution much better...

wallyman424

that vent thing isnt going to do jack. you might get a bit more breeze across your face, but you will still have the problem with radiant heat coming from the center console.

plus, there's no way thats passing tech.

davidfarmer

95Jersey, it's worth a try, but I'm not really sure the extra air will help YOU feel cooler. Wrapping the underside of the exhaust/torque tube tunnel with a reflective radiant barrier will help, but the aluminum tunnel simply isn't very good at insulating the heat away.

I personally run (as in exercise) all summer long and keep pretty acclimated....only one, racing in Puerto Rico, did I nearly reach a thermal "issue" with my body temp. Sooooo, my best suggestion is to spend some time in the local steam room of your YMCA and try and adapt as much as possible.

ryan0

when you lift, all the exhaust gets sucked right into the hatch lid.

and the cool shirt is the best invention in racing.. EVER.

Jason

I know people that used those hatch vents on C5's at autox's and had to explain them every time they went through tech. And the corner workers would still black flag them sometimes. It could be secure as the day is long, but I don't see it passing HPDE tech.

Start pounding water days in advance. If you don't have to ****, you should be drinking water. I spent 2 years in the desert carrying heavy machine guns up mountains, I learned how important hydration is and hard you have to work at it.

AU N EGL

drive with a bag of ice in your crotch.







:

95jersey

The way I get around it is to take off my driver suit and just use a pair of jeans and long sleeve shirt (one layer). I don't like doing this as it negates the whole reason of using the suit, but on those really hot days I will take it off.

Thanks for all the options guys, I will look into each of them. I don't see me spending $2000+ on set of headers just to get rid of some heat, but the shielding and cool suit are both good options.

AU N EGL

just thought of one one thing.

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get some hot water heater insulation wrap, and put that under your carpet next to the tunnel.

drivinfast

me too

MySR71

Andy Pilgrim once said that he did some of his workouts with a driving suit and helmet on. He said it really helped him become heat tolerant. This was important as he was driving the C5-R's and C6.R's before driver air conditioning.

I also wonder how much hotter it will become inside for those who removed their interiors. Seems like they are removing a lot of insulation which will drive cabin temps even higher.