2024 Mustang GT (non PP) - Autocross Temp Concerns

[Benvolio]

Hey everyone,

I’m looking into some autocross days at a local track near me, but have some concerns about the temperatures I may see throughout the day. Short, spirited driving bursts in my GT leads to elevated temperatures (240+ engine oil temp, 205-210 CHT, and 200+ trans temp), so I’m not sure if the car could keep up with sustained 45 minute sessions like the itinerary calls for.

If anyone has insight into this, please let me know. My GT has Brembos and active exhaust so it’d be a blast to improve my skills if the car can handle the thermals.

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[BimmerDriver]

I don't know what CHT is.

I'm also confused, because typical autocross events last for one, maybe two minutes. There are no 45 minute courses, that's just crazy. Perhaps they mean that you'll be in line waiting for 45 minutes, that sound more typical.

A few seconds - even a minute or two of those higher temperature won't hurt anything.

I encourage you to do it, you'll have fun! However, be prepared to be taken to the cleaners by lighter, smaller and more nimble cars. Our big heavy muscle cars are not generally competitive in those kind of events.

 

[Benvolio]

CHT is Cylinder Head Temperature. My understanding is it’s one of the values that has a sensor, so the car uses the CHT + other values to determine the oil temperature since there is no oil temp sensor. I appreciate the words of encouragement, I’d really like to take the car out and stretch its legs! Even if I get walloped, having the opportunity to really drive it would be great.

 

[BimmerDriver]

I’d really like to take the car out and stretch its legs! Even if I get walloped, having the opportunity to really drive it would be great.

Indeed! Look into HPDE events. Major car clubs (BMW, Porsche, Mustang, NASA, Audi) put on great events, with instruction, and they're generally quite safe and a lot of fun! This is just one example, use the search function for tracks near you.

 

[robvas]

(240+ engine oil temp, 205-210 CHT, and 200+ trans temp)

None of those are in the danger zone

 

[Benvolio]

None of those are in the danger zone

I know - I’m more concerned that the car is reaching those temperatures within a couple of minutes of spirited driving. It makes me wonder if the cooling system is enough to handle a longer period of spirited driving (5-10 mins or a few laps).

 

[robvas]

I know - I’m more concerned that the car is reaching those temperatures within a couple of minutes of spirited driving. It makes me wonder if the cooling system is enough to handle a longer period of spirited driving (5-10 mins or a few laps).

A few laps of a road course can overheat the auto trans in the Dark Horse models or the differential on the PP2 models...but for autox you shouldn't have any issues. Feel free to do any upgrades you want, though. Radiator, oil cooler, boxing the radiator in, brake cooling ducts, hood vents....

It also depends on how hard you are pushing the car, some users report no problems and some (more advanced drivers) start seeing issues after 2-3 road course laps

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