Engine Coolants

[Rad Ray]

Interested in opinions (+&-) about radiator additives designed to lower engine temperatures. Thanks in advance for your comments.

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[PointByPatrol]

Like for track use, or just street driving?

 

[Cox1974]

Both

 

[PointByPatrol]

I run factory coolant without additives in the winter. For the warmer months since I'll be tracking during those months I use 1 bottle of water wetter, 1 gallon of distilled water, and fill the remaining capacity with factory coolant.

 

[Rad Ray]

Like for track use, or just street driving?

Opinions on both would be great!

 

[Rad Ray]

Any opinion on Mishimoto Liquid Chill for general use? It’s advertised to mix with any coolant and one bottle for our (FL5) engines. I’ve used Water Weter too and had zero problems, but only minimal cooling.

 

[PointByPatrol]

Any opinion on Mishimoto Liquid Chill for general use? It’s advertised to mix with any coolant and one bottle for our (FL5) engines. I’ve used Water Weter too and had zero problems, but only minimal cooling.

It's really not necessary for any climate in the U.S. to stray away from the factory coolant. I run the factory coolant in the off season. So no need for additives, the engine simply isn't going to get hot enough to cause damage.

If you attend several track events during the spring/summer/fall then I'd swap out the factory coolant for something that can handle more thermal capacity, and then at the end of the season you would drain it out and refill with regular old factory coolant. I tested my go-to coolant mixture for track use and it is only good down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit without freezing. The factory coolant is good for temperatures that drop into the negatives.

 

[ItsMeNickG]

It's really not necessary for any climate in the U.S. to stray away from the factory coolant. I run the factory coolant in the off season. So no need for additives, the engine simply isn't going to get hot enough to cause damage.

If you attend several track events during the spring/summer/fall then I'd swap out the factory coolant for something that can handle more thermal capacity, and then at the end of the season you would drain it out and refill with regular old factory coolant. I tested my go-to coolant mixture for track use and it is only good down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit without freezing. The factory coolant is good for temperatures that drop into the negatives.

What about 116 degree California weather, do you think I can get away with no additives?

 

[Jester04]

When I installed my radiator and thermostat I switched to VP racing stay frosty engine race coolant, which has no glycol.

 

[PointByPatrol]

What about 116 degree California weather, do you think I can get away with no additives?

You're going to want a mixture. 1 bottle of water wetter, 1 gallon of distilled water and fill the remaining capacity with factory coolant.

 

[ItsMeNickG]

You're going to want a mixture. 1 bottle of water wetter, 1 gallon of distilled water and fill the remaining capacity with factory coolant.

So a complete drain then fill with the above? Can I get away with just adding the water wetter to my factory coolant?

 

[PointByPatrol]

So a complete drain then fill with the above? Can I get away with just adding the water wetter to my factory coolant?

I'd drain it if you have 116 degree temps

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