No one overheated. I had CHTs in the 230s hitting 242 a couple times. The blue 5.0 with the Roush grille ran 220-230 and oil temp peaked at 270. Hopefully John can jump in here too, but I think he ran 220 or less with the chicken wire grille.

 

Ed,
check out their Facebook page. Looks like every car running Sunday morning is on there, and I think its Turn 5 behind the condos.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/RaceMph

 

Perfect, thanks Wayne.

 

I ran 230 a few times with just the fake fogs drilled. No warmer than it got, I would have been really surprised if anyone would have overheated.

Loved the chicken wire grill!!

 

What was the peak ambient temperature at the track? It sounds like overheating isn't an issue unless it's 90+ degrees.

I'm trying to figure out which route I should take -- aftermarket bar grille or chicken wire grille. It sounds like the chicken wire grille is quite effective with cooling. Is it enough to protect the radiator from small rocks/gravel? I need to consider this for the tracks that I go to...

How did it hold up? Is it something easy to swap in/out at the track?

 

I had the lowest ECTs of the group. Never broke 220* with the chicken wire grill. It actually kept all of the debris off it the upper part of the condenser...the lower part looks 100 times worse. I gotta say, it is quite hideous, but it is easier to install and remove than the OEM grill as there are no lower tabs.

I'm going to 'modify' an OEM grill over the winter. Basic plan is to remove all of the slats leaving only the Pony and the foglight surrounds. Then I will safety wire chicken wire into those areas. This should look much better and keep a good amount of airflow since only the Pony and surrounds will be the only solid objects within the grill surround. Should also fit better and be more sturdy.

 

Grills Schmills

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/19188...155418_PrPftBJ

 

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/19188...156726_rKrg9PW

Good to see NASA RM isn't the only region being infiltrated by old circle-track cars.
Fun to watch!

 

Anyone know where to get some nice stainless steel wire mesh? It looked like the FR500's at MMP were using SS mesh.

 

Hey Josh are you still planning on the NASA CR/RM event at MPH next weekend? Hope to get a chance to meet you there.

 

Pegasus Racing sells it.

 

Speaking of grilles...
I took a standard GT grille and cut quite a bit of the interior sections.
It's still strong once installed with the surround, and I added the wire mesh behind it for protection.

I'll eventually paint the surround Race Red, and paint the red tabs that are visible black.

 

Forget the grille, we need more pics if that 302S hood! How are you going to paint it?

 

Perfect thanks.

Here's the link. I'm thinking about the GT surround and SS wire mesh. I liked that look on the FR500 I saw at MMP.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/gr...GroupID=SCREEN

I saw a 302S hood on a 05-09 GT this weekend and liked it a lot. I'm seriously thinking about buying one.

 

So, that is the stock GT surround + the GT insert? Okay... that might actually be easier as the insert pops out and is probably easier to work a dremel around.

 

OK I've probably beat this question to death, but we're certain there are no water issues with the 302S hood for a street driven car? I'm more concerned that if I ended up with a CAI at some point, that water couldn't pour into it in a rain or car wash condition. At this point, I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on one. It would be something I could get done over the long winter.

 

I looked at it closely to determine how much engine you could see and you can see a lot of it. I don't plan on driving mine in the rain (right ) so it won't be a problem for me. If you were at a track day and it rained you could always install the original intake to keep the water out. If it's raining you probably won't need that extra 20-30 hp anyway.

 

So you wouldn't use the wire mesh again?

 

With as fast as you drive, no water's gonna get in that hood. Just don't stop if it's raining.

As for washing it, from what I saw of John's hood last weekend, whatever hose water you put on the hood to wash it is gonna pour right into the engine compartment, but it didn't look like it'd be too tough to wash it carefully enough to keep the water out.

Just get the hood. It looks awesome, and will keep your temps way down. If you're out and about and it starts raining, just drive faster.

You could always get some dense black foam and cut it to fit into the vents for daily driving and to keep most of the water out if a rain storm happens when it's parked. I have some of that dense foam for the SGT brake ducts and it works well to keep rain out.

 

Yep, stock GT grille and surround.
I tried several different methods of cutting the plastic, ( including heating the blade), but the only way that really gave me a clean look was, LOTS of elbow grease, taking my time, and just making multiple slices with a sharp blade.

I do have to be careful when washing the hood. I don't shower it with water, just a dribble and wash away the dirt.

This winter I think I'm going to fabricate some plates to cover the vents using metal sheeting and foam. I think by drilling a few holes, adding wing nuts annd using the foam as a water break, I can keep 99% of the water out. I'd use these for rainy track sessions and daily driving with rain in the area. Obviously it will probably look like crap, but it'll be functional.

The hood is painted with a flattening clearcote, thereby eliminating the 'hot spots flashes' from the sun. ( Which I hate!) Definetly helps eliminate eye strain.
I still have to install the front hood clips.

For those on the fence about this hood, I say, "get the darn thing"

+- $750 for the fiberglass. Weighs in at 19lbs. Tiger Racing has great customer service and puts out a well engineered product.