MAD MAN

I ran my first track event last week [ Chin Motorsports - Road Atlanta] and had overheating issues . The afternoon ambient temperature was 88 degrees and after 4 laps my water temp went to 240 and was still climbing . I backed off for a lap or two and the temp dropped to 220 . I got back on the throttle and it immediately went back to 240 was heading to 250 degrees . I had previously drilled out the faux headlight "dimples" but this didn't seem to help . My car often runs 220-225 just cruising on the highway .

I heard from a racing friend of mine [ who received the info from Mark Wilson - Ford Racing ] that Ford has a three part fix for the overheating problems . It includes a new radiator , a stand alone engine oil cooler and new grill . These parts are supposed to retail for approx $2K but I strongly believe this Ford's problem to be fixed at no cost to the car owner . The Boss 302 LS was advertised as a track car and that's why I purchased it . Making only 4-5 laps before overheating when the temperature is only 88 degrees is unacceptable !

Does anyone know the Ford Racing part numbers for these " fix" parts" ?

P.S. I also had an engine light appear the next morning while I was unloading my car from the trailer . This code was " a cold engine miss-fire - cylinders 5 and 6 " according to the dealer . They are replacing the coil packs and plug wires for those cylinders .

MAD MAN

blackgt87

Just take your grill out when you track the car. It has been documented to solve the overheating issue.

There's a big thread on here about it, I'm sure the Boss guys will chime in soon.

5 DOT 0

The radiator is available now and the grill and oil cooler should be available shortly. My first track day is this Sunday and I'm expecting temps close to 90 degrees. I don't think I'll be driving hard enough to experience overheating problems but will report back if I do.

11SHELBYGT500

This can't be, say it ain't so. A boss overheating, that sounds crazy. I do hope you get that fixed.

JScheier

Mark Wilson and crew are working to get those parts released. However, the easiest thing you can do is just pull the front grill. Two 8mm bolts and about 10 speed locks and you can pull it out.

Definitely seems to be an airflow issue. Cars with OEM grills and no AC condenser seem to be OK. Cars with no grill and stock AC condenser seem to be OK.

Radiator part number is M-8005-MGT. Stock Boss Radiator is M-8005-MBR.

blackgt87

Don't make me call..............zee germans

11SHELBYGT500

LOL I'm German

nota4re

As others have said, simply pull the front grill when you get to the track. Literally a 2-3 minute job after you have done it once. No big deal. Not sure if we have seen any measured improvement with the larger radiator in place. Data thus far suggests that it is an air flow/air management challenge. Again, the grill "fix" is a good one. I believe soon Ford will also recommend a oil to air cooler to replace the OEM oil to water cooler. The OEM oil cooler further taxes the water cooling system and performance in cooling the oil is also compromised when coolant temps rise. (i.e. it is hard to cool 280-300F oil with 240F water.)

Note: Our oil to air cooler should be available shortly as one alternative. We are using a NASCAR-spec'd oil cooler with incredibly lower pressure drop across the cooler. On-road testing last week was extremely encouraging - more than 30F improvement over our former cooler design. Track testing scheduled for this weekend with expected ambient temps 95-100F.

blackgt87

I was joking about the reference to you in the Hitler trackey video lmao

11SHELBYGT500

Ohhhh got it. Yeah I probably wouldn't last long.

Jza1736

You can add the 302S hood. Worked for me!

Whammer

Not to be confused with heat soak that would do a GT500 in after 2 laps.

nota4re

Absolutely. The "fix" for the Boss is to simply remove the grill. The "fix" for a GT500 wanting to race in the same conditions is to remove the SC and re-program the engine management calibration. Moral: If you live in a glass house, don't throw rocks.

11SHELBYGT500

Whatever you boys need to tell yourselves to get through, go for it.

Whammer

Whatever you need to tell yourself about a car that NO ONE is talking about.

MAD MAN

Thanks for the quick responses . I will try removing the grill but feel this shouldn't be necessary in a " track" car .

MAD MAN

Apollo

I understand your frustration but removing the grill is easy and quick. There is a list of things Ford put into the manual as to do things before you track, just pretend removing the grill is one of them and Ford forgot to print it in the track prep section. It really does solve the issue even in very hot weather.
There were two of us at Button Willow (grill removed) with 100+ heat with A/C on high windows up and never got above 230. With the grill in, limp mode was the order of the day. There will certainly better choices in the grill design moving forward either from Ford or aftermarket, but this is such a minor procedure and can easily be incorporated into the multitude of other items you should do with any car brought to the track.
Now an upgraded oil cooler, like the one Cooltech is designing, is just plain and simple a good idea if you are serious about hammering your car on the track.

06GT

5 DOT 0

What's your point?