Preping for Headsup runs

[Richard Grant]

I see in the videos from Indy that they are using what looks to be a cooler to keep the motor as cool as possible before a headsup run. My question is how this is being done and what other tricks they were using at Indy. I am aware of minimun oil levels, lite oil and ice on the intake. However, what about these cooling machines and other tricks out of the ordinary that were used at Indy? If needed send me a PM so we can discuss them in detail. Thanks

[442OLDS]

Some have the luxury of removing 100 or more pounds of extra weight.I know that is one of the "tricks".

[Andrew Hill]

The cooling machines are filled with ice and water (I think some of the more expensive one's have water chillers so you don't have to use ice) and are connected to the radiator hose to pump cold water through the motor. They're pretty expensive, but I bet it wouldn't be too difficult to make one for cheaper, it just might not look as good.

[Richard Grant]

Andrew, you're probably right. You could use a plastic or metal container hooked to a bilge pump. Fill the container with ice water and turn on the pump which could be hooked to the car's cooling system. Someone else might have an even better idea. You have got me thinking.

[Rich Biebel]

If your racing a $100,00 Stocker ....$$$ is not a real big issue for a cooler if it helps you win I'm thinking........LOL..

I did not think an aluminum headed, aluminum intake engine like my LT-1 Friebird would really go a lot faster if the engine was cold.......well it did....I found out one day when we made a morning run and it went fast enough to get the class winner trophy for that race....I ran probaly a tenth quicker than I expected.....

I also watched someone with a similar car the next year ice his engine down for at least half an hour and he went very fast on that run surpising even him.....Chilled is fast.....

In the old days the lanes looked like a lake or a stream........and at tracks like Maple Grove....all the water ran down hill since the lanes are sloped down a lot....

[Lew Silverman]

A couple of quick disconnects, some 5/8" heater hose, 50 feet of copper tubing and a tub of Diet Pepsi chilling in ice water works for me! Of course I'm using straight H2O not a high-tech coolant.

Lew

[Rich Biebel]

In 1970 we did the exact opposite.....Pre Heated the engine at the direction of Ralph Truppi........so the rings would not scuff....

I still have the quick disconnect fittings I think.......Had them on our ramp truck and 2 long pieces of heater hose.....Hooked the racecar to the truck and let the truck run for a while untill the temp gauge was up on the racecar....

I got bored with that routine.....and those rings wore out.....We re-ringed it ourselves and I remember the rings were an odd size an hard to get....