Coolant question--- NHRA tech
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Coolant question--- NHRA tech
OK.
I'm going through NHRA tech a few times in the next month.
They want zero anti freeze in the car.
100% water... plus water wetter (or simliar)
I've sneeked through in the past with out this by the way but they say they are really checking this year.
The local tracks don't check much of anything.
I have informed racing friends that say if I do that with the aluminum radiator and other aluminum parts I run the risk of breaking down the aluminum (dissolving?).
They suggest at least 18-20 % alcohol-glycol in the mix to prevent harmful corrosion ,with the water wetter.
Any one have any experience with this situation?
Thanks!
Matt383
I'm going through NHRA tech a few times in the next month.
They want zero anti freeze in the car.
100% water... plus water wetter (or simliar)
I've sneeked through in the past with out this by the way but they say they are really checking this year.
The local tracks don't check much of anything.
I have informed racing friends that say if I do that with the aluminum radiator and other aluminum parts I run the risk of breaking down the aluminum (dissolving?).
They suggest at least 18-20 % alcohol-glycol in the mix to prevent harmful corrosion ,with the water wetter.
Any one have any experience with this situation?
Thanks!
Matt383
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
I don't know the exact wording of the rule, but my local NHRA track will allow antifreeze in a car that is driven onto the property. Any car that arrives on a trailer(even if licensed and inspected) must have zero antifreeze.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
I've never heard about Water Wetter messing up aluminum... in all my race motorcycles (which are 99%+ aluminum) Water Wetter+water is the ONLY allowed coolant, and they check it visually.
I've never had any problems, and I'm sure if there was a risk of it dissolving the aluminum it wouldnt be required by one of (if not the) largest motorcycle club racing Org in the US.
I've never had any problems, and I'm sure if there was a risk of it dissolving the aluminum it wouldnt be required by one of (if not the) largest motorcycle club racing Org in the US.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Originally Posted by Thrak
I've never heard about Water Wetter messing up aluminum... in all my race motorcycles (which are 99%+ aluminum) Water Wetter+water is the ONLY allowed coolant, and they check it visually.
I've never had any problems, and I'm sure if there was a risk of it dissolving the aluminum it wouldnt be required by one of (if not the) largest motorcycle club racing Org in the US.
I've never had any problems, and I'm sure if there was a risk of it dissolving the aluminum it wouldnt be required by one of (if not the) largest motorcycle club racing Org in the US.
The issue is zero coolant. Not the water wetter.
Water Wetter is a good Redline product.
I am sorry about the confusion.
Re: trailer. My car will be on a trailer.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Alpine California
Antifreeze contains anti corrosion inhibitors that (I'm not sure, but I belive it does) Water Wetter may or may not. I know I've seen a seperate additive available at the auto parts stores for aluminum component containing cooling systems. The problem is ionic exchange, so the corrosion will occur as long as there are two dissimilar metals in an electrolitic solution, even the inhibitors only slow it down, they don't completely eliminate it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I have run H2O and Water Wetter for 6 to 7 seven months of the year, for the last 4 or 5 years. My factory (23 year old) radiator keeps my car quite cool. MY track allows antifreeze on Street Legal nights, but not for the Summit events. The objection is the difficultly of the clean up, when the need occurs. For the same reason, they aren't too fond of synthetic oils. I would NOT run pure H2O with no additive package for rust/corrosion inhibitors or water pump lubricant. There are many choices out there, but I like what the Water Wetter does for my engine's ability to cool off quickly between rounds.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
commercial buildings generally have cooling(air conditioning) and heating systems that use water/ heat transfer-- most add corrosion inhibitors to protect their equipment...talk to the boiler room guys at work or visit a real HVAC/plumbing supply house (don't look at wal-fart)
water-wetters, really surfactants, can be many different common and/or exotic chemicals...some will eat aluminum; read the can first,if in doubt, make a concentrated solution in a glass jar + an aluminum test strip and see what it does in a week or two
water-wetters, really surfactants, can be many different common and/or exotic chemicals...some will eat aluminum; read the can first,if in doubt, make a concentrated solution in a glass jar + an aluminum test strip and see what it does in a week or two
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
The concern is the lack of corrosion inhibitors in the water + water wetter solution. The anti freeze has that. So the suggestion was to use 18 -20% anti-feeze instead of 50%.
I was told that with the new aluminum heads, rad, etc. that the parts will break down.
I will look into the nalcool.
Matt383
I was told that with the new aluminum heads, rad, etc. that the parts will break down.
I will look into the nalcool.
Matt383
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I am referring to Water Wetter (with capital letters) to denote the brand name of a specific product (not just a generic term) as produced by Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. The label says that it is suitable (and most effective) when used in pure water. It also says, "...provides excellent corrosion protection for modern cast iron, aluminum and brass systems." Nalcool may possibly be a better additive package (I am not familiar with it) but I chose Water Wetter because if it's cooling characteristics.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
