ZL1 Seemingly Lacks Power - Page 2

travislambert · 07-31-2019, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRealJA105

No limp mode issues though Travis? I was at Watkins Glen last Wednesday and my car went into limp mode in 2 out of 5 sessions. A stock ZLE and Z06 also had issues and it was only 78 degrees there so I'm wondering about humidity. I am going to re-bleed my intercooler circuit, but I am also wondering if it is some electrical problem from sensors acting up under heat and shutting me down. I get no CEL, only the Reduced engine power warning, then after cooling down, pitting, and shutting it off for awhile it's fine when restarted.

Nope, no limp mode or any other indications of a problem.

That's interesting about the other cars also having issues in relatively mild summer temperatures. There is probably something in common. I didn't measure the humidity Monday at PittRace, but I assume it wasn't too high. It seemed comfortable to me.

On a side note, you and Larry should try to make it to PittRace on the 16th. There are only 7 people registered so far. It's on MotorsportsReg.com. I used the coupon SWPTRACK19 and saved $100 (I don't know if the coupon is still active though).

travislambert · 07-31-2019, 07:33 PM

Since I know better cooling should give me a few degrees of timing back in the summer months, I decided to go ahead an try some upgraded heat exchangers.

Today I ordered this:
https://www.mishimoto.com/chevy-cama...tors-2016.html

and this:
https://lsa-conversion-store.myshopi...heat-exchanger

I know there are more aggressive options, but I decided to go with direct fit units in case I decide to go back to stock.

Honestly, I'm skeptical, but it should be fun to try them.

TheRealJA105 · 08-01-2019, 07:48 AM

I'll probably just be going to the TNiA on the 14th. Cheaper and only have to take a half day vacation. I've ran with SWP before and their trackdays are awesome, not alot of cars and more track time than anyone else I've ran with. I want to go to Mid-Ohio with them on September 12th.

Stephen12ZL1 · 08-01-2019, 04:24 PM

I am going to say that it is definitely in the intercooler circuit. Upgraded heat exchangers with a reservoir will likely fix your issues. The reservoir is definitely a huge help even with the stock heat exchangers.

travislambert · 08-01-2019, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I am going to say that it is definitely in the intercooler circuit. Upgraded heat exchangers with a reservoir will likely fix your issues. The reservoir is definitely a huge help even with the stock heat exchangers.

Yeah, I'm certain that's at least part of the problem.

I wasn't planning on a reservoir, but you have me thinking... I assume you have one?

TrackClub · 08-01-2019, 05:45 PM

I gotta ask: so the car ran like a champ last season, but now it needs cooling mods? Was it your first outing of the season??? Something seems amiss (to me) given folks run these in Texas, Cali etc with seemingly no issues. Interested as i am considering one.

Gunkk · 08-01-2019, 05:48 PM

Gotta be air in the SC loop. Our cars slowly evap coolant. Main engine coolant loses a half pint to a pint per year. The SC loop will lose it too albeit a bit more slowly.

TrackClub · 08-01-2019, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Gotta be air in the SC loop. Our cars slowly evap coolant. Main engine coolant loses a half pint to a pint per year. The SC loop will lose it too albeit a bit more slowly.

Bingo! Seems like a maintenance item to me, no?
Especially after long winter storage...

travislambert · 08-01-2019, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackClub

I gotta ask: so the car ran like a champ last season, but now it needs cooling mods? Was it your first outing of the season??? Something seems amiss (to me) given folks run these in Texas, Cali etc with seemingly no issues. Interested as i am considering one.

The car always ran better in the spring and fall vs summer, but the difference was relatively small. To quantify it, I would usually see a decrease of 3-4 MPH (< 3%) on the front stretch in the summer at PittRace. On Monday, I was down 6-8 MPH.

The cooling mods are not intended to be a repair, but I'm thinking it might help to recover some of the reduction in power that's always present in summer temperatures.

travislambert · 08-01-2019, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Bingo! Seems like a maintenance item to me, no?
Especially after long winter storage...

Maybe, but keep in mind it was perfectly fine at the last two track events in April this year. The car literally wasn't driven anywhere but to and from the car trailer between the last event in April and Monday... that's why I'm leaning more toward the change in temperature.

Of course, it could be both. If something is slowly degrading the efficiency of the intercooler system, maybe it just wasn't exposed in the cooler April weather.

TrackClub · 08-01-2019, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travislambert

Maybe, but keep in mind it was perfectly fine at the last two track events in April this year. The car literally wasn't driven anywhere but to and from the car trailer between the last event in April and Monday... that's why I'm leaning more toward the change in temperature.

Of course, it could be both. If something is slowly degrading the efficiency of the intercooler system, maybe it just wasn't exposed in the cooler April weather.

Agree. If it were me, Id flush the system first and see what results it brings - to try and identify possible easy root cause. Or at least easily eliminate one possible factor if it doesnt fix it. Id then check the whole system for leaks, plugs, etc. This is assuming you had run it in summer conditions before and it did fine (unsure how long youve had her).

In any case, fingers crossed for ya! Cheers!

travislambert · 08-01-2019, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Agree. If it were me, Id flush the system first and see what results it brings - to try and identify possible easy root cause. Or at least easily eliminate one possible factor if it doesnt fix it. Id then check the whole system for leaks, plugs, etc. This is assuming you had run it in summer conditions before and it did fine (unsure how long youve had her).

In any case, fingers crossed for ya! Cheers!

Yeah, this is my 3rd summer tracking the car, so I have a some data.

TrackClub · 08-01-2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travislambert

Yeah, this is my 3rd summer tracking the car, so I have a some data.

Great! Just out of curiosity: have you ever flushed the system?

travislambert · 08-01-2019, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Great! Just out of curiosity: have you ever flushed the system?

Not with this car, but I am familiar with the process.

07-31-2019, 07:33 PM	#16
travislambert Drives: '17 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 1,558	Since I know better cooling should give me a few degrees of timing back in the summer months, I decided to go ahead an try some upgraded heat exchangers. Today I ordered this: https://www.mishimoto.com/chevy-cama...tors-2016.html and this: https://lsa-conversion-store.myshopi...heat-exchanger I know there are more aggressive options, but I decided to go with direct fit units in case I decide to go back to stock. Honestly, I'm skeptical, but it should be fun to try them. __________________ 2023 Camaro SS 1LE A10 2023 Camaro ZL1 1LE M6 2017 Camaro ZL1 M6 2016 Camaro SS M6 w/LT4 (Sold)

08-01-2019, 04:24 PM	#18
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	I am going to say that it is definitely in the intercooler circuit. Upgraded heat exchangers with a reservoir will likely fix your issues. The reservoir is definitely a huge help even with the stock heat exchangers. __________________ '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)

08-01-2019, 07:48 AM	#17
TheRealJA105 Drives: 2013 C6Z06 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: PA Posts: 1,577	I'll probably just be going to the TNiA on the 14th. Cheaper and only have to take a half day vacation. I've ran with SWP before and their trackdays are awesome, not alot of cars and more track time than anyone else I've ran with. I want to go to Mid-Ohio with them on September 12th.

08-01-2019, 05:45 PM	#20
TrackClub Drives: 2020 SS 1LE (previous: 2017 SS 1LE) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada, eh! Posts: 5,091	I gotta ask: so the car ran like a champ last season, but now it needs cooling mods? Was it your first outing of the season??? Something seems amiss (to me) given folks run these in Texas, Cali etc with seemingly no issues. Interested as i am considering one.

08-01-2019, 05:48 PM	#21
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 4,975 View My Garage	Gotta be air in the SC loop. Our cars slowly evap coolant. Main engine coolant loses a half pint to a pint per year. The SC loop will lose it too albeit a bit more slowly.

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