So today, I went to the track and had good first run of 14.303, 2.174 60' missed the 3rd nls and got mph 97.81. Second run missed a couple nls got a 14.8 im stock by the way. So 3rd run i decided to try a little launch control. I staged the car then started to bounce the rev limiter while waitin for the car next to me to stage, well i launch and almost kill the car and made it down the track, by the end i noticed the coolant was at 219! Ive never seen higher then 207, so i pull over to cool off and noticed this clancking like the valves were Super hot red hot! Let it cool down for 30 min and restart it. Sounds like under the valve cover somthing is makeing a clancking sound but on every other rotation of the engine sounds like. So if the valves did get hot they cooled but what other damage could be done from overheating. I am stock, what should i tell the dealer, that i overheated or jus say there is a weird sound from the valve cover. What could it be? I noticed i cant hear it when im driveing, and i babyed it not going over 3k rpm on the way home. When the hood is up you can hear it right under the valve cover. Thanks guys

 

You are hearing the cam driven fuel pump.

 

Sounds normal, if it kinda sounds like a diesel

 

Nope, i know the useaul sounds this engine makes this is abnormal. I'm use to 350 chevys, but sounds like a rockerarm. Any clue what could rattle loose under launch control or overheating the valvetrain?

 

219 is not overheated.. far from it. Ive seen that waiting in a drive through on a hot day.

 

Did the temps return to normal after the run? How long were you sitting on the LC?

 

yes coolant temps returned to normal, and soon as i staged after burnout i started to use launch, while waiting for him to stage his second lights. So if 219 is ok then i should be fine? Should i actually wait for somthing to break / get worst before taking to dealer?

 

If youre completely stock and something breaks just tell them you were driving on the highway and the car started making noise. They cant not fix it

 

What is the highest the coolant should go and still be safe? On a hot day with normal driving, no A/C (just open windows) my coolant gets close to that 210-219... But no wierd sounds. Is this a problem?

 

Bump

 

I've seen as high as mid 220's in the staging lanes on a cold night, making two consecutive laps. But then again I have an SS/SC ....

 

No, 219 is not overheating, I saw 220 regularly in my 2.4L GT in the summer here last year. I'm sure the SS will see the same temps once we start seeing our regular 110-120 degree summer heat.

For every lb of pressure in the coolant system the boiling point of water is raised by 3 degrees F. I think these cars have a 15LB cap? 15x3 = 45F + 212 = 257F. The fact that we don't run just water as coolant raises the temp even higher. You shouldn't OVERHEAT until around 260F..that's when the water in the coolant will start to boil. You should start worrying if you're constantly approaching 240F+. 220 after racing is nothing to worry about.

 

did 215 coolant racing.

if the ticking sounds like a clock. its normal

btw dont bounce the rpms when on launch control. way easier to launch at 2K RPMS...

 

The noise you heard is normal. Me and a buddy a while back were doing some "spirited" driving on some back wood country roads, and encountered some "problems". Once these "problems" happened, I had to drive my car VERY VERY VERY "spirited". Once the "problems" were over and we arrived back home, the coolant was in the 215-220 range, the engine sounded like it was going to literally die. Steddy is right, it is the fuel pump, atleast mine was. A VERY loud TICK, so loud I wouldnt even call it a tick. I let it cool down, and she ran fine afterward. In all honesty bro, these cars are made fairly tough, and a few botched track passes, within reason, shouldnt cause a problem.

 

Awesome, I think i may take it back to the track on wednesday and make sure by trying to get in the 13s stock. I'm at high altitude, was impressed considering my launch and shifting was not to good.

 

Remember, if your stock, high altitude isn't going to change a thing. Your computer will up the boost to reach the desired 260 ft/lb mark.

 

Long pulls in this car will spike the coolant temp from what I've seen, but nothing dangerous. A water-cooled turbo will do that to you.

50/50 dexcool mix has a boiling point around ~240, and 15 lb of pressure jacks that to 270, So the occasional 220-230 reading is harmless.