[protovack]

I'm debating whether to upgrade my completely stock 2LT turbo to a turbo 1LE. Definitely a first world problem, I know.

I really like my current car (a riverside 2LT M6 2.0T), but I want to do some occasional track days in the summer and I want to be comfortable knowing it isn't going to overheat, etc. I'd also be lying if I didn't say the new rally green color for 2020 has caught my eye. But ignoring color for a moment, I could build up my current car, get the 4 piston brembos, track day pads, SRF fluid, add a mishimoto oil cooler, add a couple FE3 suspension components (or not), set of tires, and be in pretty good shape I think. I predict this would cost around $3000 to do it right.

The next option would be to trade in for either a turbo 1LE or a non-1LE with the HD cooling and brake package, and this is where my confusion begins. The 1LE description on configurator says it includes an engine oil cooler, dual outboard radiators, and rear differential cooler. And when you check the 1LE package, it automatically checks (in the exterior section) "HD cooling and brake package", which is composed of "External engine oil cooler", and "Extra capacity cooling system."

If you then uncheck 1LE package, and select just the "HD cooling and brake package" instead, that box gets checked ($995), and then external engine oil cooler box gets checked, but NOT the extra capacity cooling system box. If you attempt to check that box, it requires you to select either the 1LE package...or an automatic transmission.

So, it seems that the HD cooling and brake package is not equivalent to whats included in the 1LE package. The HD cooling and brake package says nothing about auxilliary radiators or a differential cooler. However, what exactly is meant by the "extra capacity cooling system" included in the HD cooling and brake package? IS that just another name for the auxilliary radiators?

Here is my dilemna--there are several things I don't want from the 1LE...the heavy 20" 1LE wheels, wrapped hood, black side mirrors, alcantara wheel and shifter, but I like that it has a track mode and I don't want to miss out on the critical cooling equipment that comes with it. Would I be fine with just the HD cooling and brake package? Which, frustratingly, forces you to buy heavy 20" GM wheels that I don't want and wouldn't keep.

Now, I highly doubt that having a differential cooler is going to be the deciding factor in whether I have a fun track day. I'm not an advanced driver or anything. So I ask honestly, what do I really need here?

[tstodii]

Not gonna be too much help with the difference b/w 1LE and HD Cooling Package equipped cars, but I can give some advice on swapping a new-ish car for another new car. There is a lot to think about here, so I'll name a few of the big ones that matter to me.

1) How big of a hit will you take trading in on a new car? Are you in the Upside Down? If so, can you afford and/or willing to take that hit? Do you have the funds to get you right side up? The worst thing I ever did while buying cars was allow negative equity to roll over into another car loan. Even if you get a "good" deal, it can sometimes leave you with a few grand to roll over if you haven't had the car very long, which only increases your overall debt on the new car. This would be the most important thing to consider IMO

2) What's the cost difference b/w what you paid for your current car vs the new? Are you ok with paying the difference? Also, is it more than $3k(your mod money)? If so, is that extra cost worth it to you?

3) Insurance costs... will they go up? Are you okay with the premium increase if they do?

4) Depending on your skill level, you would most likely not need to worry about overheating for you first few outings, if you won't be pushing it 7+/10. That would give you time to get a feel for tracking, while letting you gather the mods you mentioned or decide if you really NEED to move to a 1LE or HD Cooling equipped car.

[Hops]

For a couple years i did Track Night In America in just the novice group with my bmw 128i and had a blast even with the slower drivers, and my slowish driving at first. I don't think there would be much of an opportunity to overheat... well when i think about it, there were bmw 335i's overheating in novice.
Anyway, i'd do a track night first (i think there are a few in seattle), before thinking about sinking money into the 2.0T, and then count the pros and cons.