Limp mode at the track

[pablom2c]

Hi,

I went to the track with my 135i N54 this past weekend for the first time and after 4 or 5 laps I got limp mode. The ambient temperature was pretty hot outside (28C / 82 F) and at high altitude (2,190 meters / 7,185 feet).

Is the definitive solution getting a CSF radiator for example? Anything else?

My car came with the OEM oil cooler from the factory and it is an automatic transmission.

I'm running MHD stage 2+ and the coolant mode was in sport as I always run it, to be honest I forgot to change it to track mode. Would this really make that much of a difference or maybe 1 or 2 extra laps without overheating? I have the VRSF 5" stepped intercooler, VRSF downpipes, VRSF chargepipe, with stock intake and exhaust.

I don't think I will be tracking too often but want to know if there's a solution?

Thanks!

[AshwinLB]

I read that the factory oil cooler is way too small for the track, only really good for the street. I've heard good things about the stett cooler

[amg6975]

So you're overheating the car but still running Stage 2+? First step is to revert back to Stage 1 or stock and see how that treats you.

[Jeef]

From what I have heard CSF radiator doesn't improve much???

best part about it is the non-plastic end tanks


upgrade the coolers/thermostat and add auto trans cooler!

[amg6975]

Originally Posted by Jeef

From what I have heard CSF radiator doesn't improve much???

best part about it is the non-plastic end tanks


upgrade the coolers/thermostat and add auto trans cooler!

In an auto the trans cooler is the radiator. The CSF radiator helps quite a bit. OP's issue is that he's running a tune that's going to create a ton more heat than running stock.

That said I ran a CSF radiator, CSF intercooler, big dirty dual oil coolers, and a very mild tune/stock power and could still had to manage the heat at power tracks. These cars are just not well suited for pounding out laps full bore.

[drwillb]

You need additional oil cooler for track work.

[Jeef]

Originally Posted by amg6975

In an auto the trans cooler is the radiator. The CSF radiator helps quite a bit...

why not get rid of that auto heat exchanger and put an oil cooler for the trans?

[Windy5000]

Hi OP,

Do you have the codes?

[dizzy619]

Are you sure the limo mode was caused by overheating? Have you turned all of the "electronic nannies" off? I got limp mode from the car assuming my brakes must be cooked after a few laps..

[maj0r]

my car was fine at mosport never once hit limp with stock oil cooler. although I had the t-stat delete for it. CSF rad does make a big difference my thermostat is stuck and I have to block off half of my rad to allow the car to warm up to operating temps even during summer (on the street).

you need to log things like you IAT, coolant temp, oil temp and trans temp then you will see what is causing the issue.

[amg6975]

Originally Posted by Jeef

why not get rid of that auto heat exchanger and put an oil cooler for the trans?

Why would I? I've never had an issue with the transmission temperature. It's always oil temp that is the issue.

[drunkenup]

Does anyone know the thresholds for power reduction for IAT an N54 shelf tune on pump gas?

I am peaking IATs in the 150-160s in ~90f, maybe a slight loss in power.

Coolant temps peak at 230f, oil does not move past 255f. <- that required 2x 25 row coolers and a csf radiator. Brake temp power reduction is coded out.

[maj0r]

that's really hot iat. id get a basic methanol kit to fix

[Jeef]

what intercooler are you running?!

[drunkenup]

Originally Posted by Jeef

what intercooler are you running?!

The original VRSF 7", and I suppose the newer versions will do much better. I'll sit closer to 130f for most of the road course, but the spike to 150+ is on the main straight. This is on a custom tune for inlets running 16 psi on the upper end, so I could probably mitigate this significantly just dropping that a few notches. Meth kit would keep IATs quite cool but I would rather keep things relatively simple.

[iminhell1]

Without a datalog, it's tough to say which of the many track prep things you didn't do.

Here is how the IAT's play into timing pulls: