C8 cooling for NON Z51 cars
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 187
Likes: 122
From: Sparks, NV
C8 cooling for NON Z51 cars
Tadge,
Basically I have two questions:
First, I've read your answers from other members about the capacity for the tracking/racing of the C8 with the Z51 upgraded cooling in your response dated 2-14-2020.
However, it begs the question about how the standard Corvette performs in the hot, dry, high elevations of the high desert areas of Nevada and in the east sides of the high Sierra Nevada Mountains . High elevation means low air density, and hot air means even lower density and additionally, much lower humidity for scavenging heat off of hot radiator fins (I've seen single digit humidity readings in Reno). So even though I won't be "tracking" my car, trust me when I suggest that the pavement in the summer in the Nevada desert can easily equal the hot surface temps on any track. So, is the cooling system in the standard car up to the task in the hot, dry, high elevations of Nevada?
I ask this question because I plan to buy a Non-Z51 car with the standard cooling system and wonder if prolonged idling in traffic or touring across Nevada in 100+ heat will overheat my standard C8 Stingray. I currently own a C7 Stingray with the Z51 performance package and have never experienced a heating problem, but I have no experience with a non-Z51 car in Nevada.
And Second:
I (and I presume others) would love to see a couple of the Z51 features available separately without buying the entire Z51 package. I'm mainly interested in having the extra capacity cooling system (as I've stated in the above discussion), and the upgraded Brembo brakes for added safety when coming down from high mountains.
I love this forum where the Real experts live; thanks.
Basically I have two questions:
First, I've read your answers from other members about the capacity for the tracking/racing of the C8 with the Z51 upgraded cooling in your response dated 2-14-2020.
However, it begs the question about how the standard Corvette performs in the hot, dry, high elevations of the high desert areas of Nevada and in the east sides of the high Sierra Nevada Mountains . High elevation means low air density, and hot air means even lower density and additionally, much lower humidity for scavenging heat off of hot radiator fins (I've seen single digit humidity readings in Reno). So even though I won't be "tracking" my car, trust me when I suggest that the pavement in the summer in the Nevada desert can easily equal the hot surface temps on any track. So, is the cooling system in the standard car up to the task in the hot, dry, high elevations of Nevada?
I ask this question because I plan to buy a Non-Z51 car with the standard cooling system and wonder if prolonged idling in traffic or touring across Nevada in 100+ heat will overheat my standard C8 Stingray. I currently own a C7 Stingray with the Z51 performance package and have never experienced a heating problem, but I have no experience with a non-Z51 car in Nevada.
And Second:
I (and I presume others) would love to see a couple of the Z51 features available separately without buying the entire Z51 package. I'm mainly interested in having the extra capacity cooling system (as I've stated in the above discussion), and the upgraded Brembo brakes for added safety when coming down from high mountains.
I love this forum where the Real experts live; thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 668
From: Orange County, CA
The base cars are tested extensively in hot desert and winter conditions for daily driving.
Traffic in Nevada heat is nothing to worry about. The z51 is designed for Max effort, back to back track sessions in 100degF ambient.
Will it struggle in 115deg ambient on a superheated asphalt surface sitting in traffic? May affect the AC cooling ability but I doubt it will affect anything else.
Traffic in Nevada heat is nothing to worry about. The z51 is designed for Max effort, back to back track sessions in 100degF ambient.
Will it struggle in 115deg ambient on a superheated asphalt surface sitting in traffic? May affect the AC cooling ability but I doubt it will affect anything else.
