AC on track

nicktechla · 07-02-2020, 04:50 PM

I've never done it but I'm just curious if anyone has ran their AC on the track? Did it hurt your lap times? Did the car run any hotter? Were you happier? haha

kropscamaro16 · 07-02-2020, 05:12 PM

haha i always turn mine off but thats just me the windows down helps enough

nicktechla · 07-02-2020, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

haha i always turn mine off but thats just me the windows down helps enough

yeah me too, last time I was at Buttonwillow, even windows down I was melting :o

m3bs · 07-02-2020, 05:23 PM

I've left mine on by accident a couple of times. With windows down, I really couldn't tell the difference in performance or comfort.

Timbo-1LE · 07-02-2020, 05:52 PM

Coolshirt system. Second best add on so far.

Junkyardspecial · 07-02-2020, 06:11 PM

I've accidentally left it on, but there is a compressor clutch that doesn't allow it to kick on at WOT.

nicktechla · 07-02-2020, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timbo-1LE

Coolshirt system. Second best add on so far.

yeah those are so cool. there was a guy parked next to me with one of those, I was so jealous.

*mlee* · 07-02-2020, 06:51 PM

I doubt I've actually left it on but could have. Never noticed with windows down but the ventilated Recaros are huge.

Rams01 · 07-02-2020, 07:11 PM

At Cresson last month while doing MSR's 3.1 configuration my instructor gave me the goahead to turn the AC on since I wasn't able to utilize all my power to begin with. He went on to mention that the 911 guys also keep their AC on given someone isnt trying to get their all time best etc.

I did 1 session with it off and then on. I ran a faster time with it on and also during the peak heat of the day which was 101F

Paintslinger16 · 07-02-2020, 07:42 PM

I just assumed it was like a drag strip and you had to have it off.

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-03-2020, 06:05 AM

I generally leave my A/C on when idling on grid because all fans are "on". A/C off during sessions but I have forgotten at least once to turn it off and saw no difference in performance. As stated above, the A/C clutch is commanded to turn off at WOT.

samr350 · 07-03-2020, 05:20 PM

I usually run it on max although it will often drip on my leg and that gets annoying so I've started leaving it off now. But I've run almost 30 minute sessions when it's 95f with the AC on max with no issues. In a 17 SS 1LE. I know for a fact that I drive better when I'm not hot so it helps in that regard.

foshjowler · 07-04-2020, 12:25 PM

I would think at worst it would take away a couple of HP. Especially in a ZL1 that would be negligible. Seems like keeping yourself comfortable and preventing heat exhaustion would be more important. I turn it off for autox, but that's a 45-60 second run, so it doesn't really matter.

KeithO · 07-05-2020, 05:52 AM

Years ago when I ran 4th gen f-bodies, conventional wisdom was leaving the AC on advanced the timing so this could generate more power if the octane of the fuel was high enough to take advantage of the advanced timing.

I never dyno-ed AC On/AC Off on any of my LT1 or LS1 f-bodies to confirm this.

I suppose an ECM guy could confirm for sure.

07-02-2020, 04:50 PM	#1
nicktechla Drives: 2012 Porsche 911 Turbo S Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,776	AC on track I've never done it but I'm just curious if anyone has ran their AC on the track? Did it hurt your lap times? Did the car run any hotter? Were you happier? haha __________________ IG: 2fast2nick -- Current -- 2012 Porsche Turbo S - PDK - Basalt Black Metallic -- Past -- 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe - Red Hot - A10, PDR - HRE P101 2015 Mustang GT PP - Whipple Supercharger

07-02-2020, 05:12 PM	#2
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,817	haha i always turn mine off but thats just me the windows down helps enough __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

07-02-2020, 05:52 PM	#5
Timbo-1LE Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 617	Cool shirt. No ac Coolshirt system. Second best add on so far. Attached Images

07-02-2020, 06:11 PM	#6
Junkyardspecial Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: May 2019 Location: South Florida Posts: 438	I've accidentally left it on, but there is a compressor clutch that doesn't allow it to kick on at WOT. __________________ Subscribe to my Youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/c/Junkyardspecial Will buy your GoodYear Supercar 3R Take offs!

07-02-2020, 06:51 PM	#8
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37,507 View My Garage	I doubt I've actually left it on but could have. Never noticed with windows down but the ventilated Recaros are huge. __________________

07-02-2020, 05:23 PM	#4
m3bs Drives: '19 ZLE, S54 E36M3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 227	I've left mine on by accident a couple of times. With windows down, I really couldn't tell the difference in performance or comfort.

07-02-2020, 07:11 PM	#9
Rams01 Drives: 2018 ZL1, 2001 Z28 1LE Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: North, TX Posts: 30	At Cresson last month while doing MSR's 3.1 configuration my instructor gave me the goahead to turn the AC on since I wasn't able to utilize all my power to begin with. He went on to mention that the 911 guys also keep their AC on given someone isnt trying to get their all time best etc. I did 1 session with it off and then on. I ran a faster time with it on and also during the peak heat of the day which was 101F

07-02-2020, 07:42 PM	#10
Paintslinger16 Two Lane Blacktop Drives: '18 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Black River, NNY Posts: 516	I just assumed it was like a drag strip and you had to have it off.

07-03-2020, 06:05 AM	#11
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,811	I generally leave my A/C on when idling on grid because all fans are "on". A/C off during sessions but I have forgotten at least once to turn it off and saw no difference in performance. As stated above, the A/C clutch is commanded to turn off at WOT. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

07-03-2020, 05:20 PM	#12
samr350 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Southern NH Posts: 138	I usually run it on max although it will often drip on my leg and that gets annoying so I've started leaving it off now. But I've run almost 30 minute sessions when it's 95f with the AC on max with no issues. In a 17 SS 1LE. I know for a fact that I drive better when I'm not hot so it helps in that regard.

07-04-2020, 12:25 PM	#13
foshjowler Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0T, 91 Miata Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Posts: 505 View My Garage	I would think at worst it would take away a couple of HP. Especially in a ZL1 that would be negligible. Seems like keeping yourself comfortable and preventing heat exhaustion would be more important. I turn it off for autox, but that's a 45-60 second run, so it doesn't really matter. __________________ 305 BFG Rivals FTW Youtube Channel

07-05-2020, 05:52 AM	#14
KeithO Drives: 01 Z28, 1990 NASCAR Busch North Car Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Beaver, PA Posts: 36	Years ago when I ran 4th gen f-bodies, conventional wisdom was leaving the AC on advanced the timing so this could generate more power if the octane of the fuel was high enough to take advantage of the advanced timing. I never dyno-ed AC On/AC Off on any of my LT1 or LS1 f-bodies to confirm this. I suppose an ECM guy could confirm for sure.

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