Le Mans 2017

[Storer]

So got back from Le Mans this evening. One of the hottest races in a long while and dry right through.
Better not dwell on the Corvette puncture (French tyres) too much....

My Ultima endured 37deg C temperatures and some traffic and never went over 93 degrees water temperature and 38deg C fuel temperature. Even the cabin was bearable (if parked in the shade) even in traffic.
Electric steering greatly improved "tram lining" somehow and reduced effort.

Only small issue is a brake and wheel vibration. I get vibration through the brake pedal and seat (but not steering wheel) and from a wheel(s) at above about 70mph.

I suspect either a rear wheel bearing or stub shaft out of line.

It was really noticeable on nice smooth French roads but hardly detectable on the rally stages we call the M20, M25 and M11!!!

Otherwise a great trip.

Paul


Oh, and didn't see another Ultima anywhere.

[mt308]

Wow - keeping fuel at 38 degrees when its 37 degrees outside is amazing. As the clam temperature in traffic must be massively higher than 37 degrees - more like 60 degrees at a guess.

My fuel boiled last weekend in heavy traffic in about 30 degree heat.

Great to hear your car behaved in such conditions.

Mark

[F.C.]

Storer said:

So got back from Le Mans this evening. One of the hottest races in a long while and dry right through.
Better not dwell on the Corvette puncture (French tyres) too much....

Yeah, reckon that first detour across the chicane did for him, then the Aston was all over him.
Amazing to see two cars so close after 24hrs!

[Storer]

French flies stick just like English one's

Bloody caravans get everywhere!!!

Paul

[Storer]

This picture went missing!!!!

[Storer]

mt308 said:

Wow - keeping fuel at 38 degrees when its 37 degrees outside is amazing. As the clam temperature in traffic must be massively higher than 37 degrees - more like 60 degrees at a guess.

My fuel boiled last weekend in heavy traffic in about 30 degree heat.

Great to hear your car behaved in such conditions.

Mark

My fuel temperature pretty much mirrored the outside temperature all the time I was away.

Before I went I made a few adjustments to my Fuel-On-Demand software settings, to ensure sufficient fuel for high speed running. The pump amps settled at 4.2 amps. If I switch FOD off it is over 10 amps all the time.

Remember I am using a non-standard fuel pump (Aeroquip) though.

It was a relief that fuel was no longer an issue (other than the amount used!!!!).


Paul

[Storer]

F.C. said:

Storer said:

So got back from Le Mans this evening. One of the hottest races in a long while and dry right through.
Better not dwell on the Corvette puncture (French tyres) too much....

Yeah, reckon that first detour across the chicane did for him, then the Aston was all over him.
Amazing to see two cars so close after 24hrs!

Difficult to know if it was the off track action or the 'kiss' they gave one another at one point. The Corvette was clearly suffering tyre issues before the puncture, but it was also clear that without an issue the Aston would not have got past.

The Corvette sounded like thunder every time it went by. Those side exit exhausts are mega. The Aston sounds good but nothing like the Corvette!!!


Paul

Paul

[mt308]

Storer said:

mt308 said:

Wow - keeping fuel at 38 degrees when its 37 degrees outside is amazing. As the clam temperature in traffic must be massively higher than 37 degrees - more like 60 degrees at a guess.

My fuel boiled last weekend in heavy traffic in about 30 degree heat.

Great to hear your car behaved in such conditions.

Mark

My fuel temperature pretty much mirrored the outside temperature all the time I was away.

Before I went I made a few adjustments to my Fuel-On-Demand software settings, to ensure sufficient fuel for high speed running. The pump amps settled at 4.2 amps. If I switch FOD off it is over 10 amps all the time.

Remember I am using a non-standard fuel pump (Aeroquip) though.

It was a relief that fuel was no longer an issue (other than the amount used!!!!).


Paul

Are you running a swirl pot and if so is it thr factory one. My swirl pot gets very hot in traffic.

Mark

[V8Dom]

gave mine a run last week in the heat and massive drop in temp.

the new updated fans plus new rad cap and it was sitting 75-80 even in very hot traffic

id check your drive shafts Paul... quite a few owners have had them snap including me.... rear wheel balance you dont normally notice unless alot out..

i upgrading my driveshafts and now guaranteed to 1000 hp as used on monster trucks too.

glad you had fun

[Storer]

mt308 said:

Are you running a swirl pot and if so is it thr factory one. My swirl pot gets very hot in traffic.

Mark

Mark
Mine is not a Factory swirl pot. It holds about 1.5 litres. Never gets hot now. Fuel temp only, so just above outside air temp.

My fuel system is returnless. Once in the fuel rail it has to go through the engine!

IMO pumping the fuel is the main cause of high fuel temperatures. The pumping creates heat, passing through the regulator creates heat, returning to the swirl pot escalates that heat as it repeatedly passes round the circuit.
If you circulate through the fuel rail that also adds heat.

Also IMO radiated heat from the exhaust has little effect.


Paul

[Storer]

V8Dom said:

gave mine a run last week in the heat and massive drop in temp.

the new updated fans plus new rad cap and it was sitting 75-80 even in very hot traffic

id check your drive shafts Paul... quite a few owners have had them snap including me.... rear wheel balance you dont normally notice unless alot out..

i upgrading my driveshafts and now guaranteed to 1000 hp as used on monster trucks too.

glad you had fun

I will pop the car on my lift and run it up to speed with a dial gauge on the wheel rim to search for any misalignment as a first resort. I think I will start at that end of the drive system and work inwards from there.


Paul