Hello, new here, question about Az Heat - Page 2

bdmiller909 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-28-2020, 11:03 AM

Thank you everyone!

Karl Bebout · #2 (**permalink**) 02-29-2020, 04:04 AM

Gus, another tip I've found very useful is to have a warning light wired in to indicate that the radiator fan is running. I have left my fan running when the manual switch was used and since I'm deaf as a post, I didn't hear it. With the light, I don't forget. My ERA has a red warning light that was never hooked up so that works very well for me. I don't know if BDRs have that but if not, its an easy addition. Little warning lights can easily be found on line.

Karl Bebout · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2020, 12:45 PM

Mark, I'm thinking someone knew your driving style and realized that you needed the high risk rating.

snapier · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2020, 04:09 PM

I have Superformance (SPO1400) I able to tell when my fans come on by the amp gauge.

Karl Bebout · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2020, 06:36 PM

Gauges are great and they give much more information than a light, but you gotta be looking at them. A light is much more noticeable without looking directly at it.

Gus M · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2020, 08:56 PM

Keep the advice coming... I can use it.

Gus M · #7 (**permalink**) 05-19-2020, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdmiller909

Hi, I'm not new to the car world, but I'm BRAND new to the Cobra world. I just bought a Backdraft (its being shipped to me now). I live out in NE Mesa towards Saguaro Lake.

Since transit takes a while, it has given me extra time to overthink things. One of those things is overheating in our climate. Do any of you have any engine overheating issues with your cobras or are they pretty darn robust? For instance, I think some BDR's come with traditional radiators (those prep'd for small blocks) and some have larger 4 core ones (those prep'd with big blocks). Mine has the traditional electric 16" BDR fan on it, but I don't know what radiator it has. Regardless of motor, is it a requirement in Az to have an over-sized radiator and/or a specific thermostat or better fan(s)/shroud? I don't plan on driving this thing on 118 degree days because I would die...but there may be a time when I take it to work in the morning, park it in the shade, and drive home at night when it's hotter. I don't want to give our brand a bad reputation by being stuck on the side of the road.

I'm probably just overthinking this, but figured it would be great to get some real life experience from you experts who live here. I think I can figure most other stuff out from searching, but I didn't see a definitive answer on this for our climate.

Any other Az tips you have? The car is a little older (maybe 2011 from what I can deduce on the paperwork) but only has 2000 miles on it. So I might need to replace the tires, hoses and maybe replace the thermostat to be preventative?

bdmiller909, by now I'm sure you've received your BDR. Question, do your exhaust side pipes rattle when you lift off the gas?

Gus M · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2020, 10:22 PM

I've put 300 mile on my BDR to date. Car runs strong but the sidepipes driving me nuts. That rattling sound I'm being told is part of the baffles in the side pipe. The problem is that I've been on YouTube and listening to BDR cars driving and I do not hear the rattling.

As a side note, I do have a fan light and a manual switch as well. I like it. Light goes on every time the fan is running. I can also turn on as I feel needed.

Paul Gillespie · #9 (**permalink**) 05-31-2020, 09:20 AM

I've driven a lot of miles in the heat, the car will tell you that it is hot, always watch your passengers and yourself to make sure the people don't overheat. Long sleeve cotton tshirt and light ski buff/balaclva like https://www.amazon.com/Self-Pro-Bala.../dp/B00S0YA5GM will go a long way, a sun/wind burn is no fun. Keep hydrated.

Karl Bebout · #10 (**permalink**) 05-31-2020, 10:08 AM

Paulie certainly knows. I think he's the only one in our group, now that Tucson John bowed out several years ago, that puts in more iron-butt miles than I.
Goes without saying, but, be sure your long sleeved Tee and balaclava are white or very light color. Dark colors will add to your misery, big time. AXE me how I know.

Phx Mike · #11 (**permalink**) 05-31-2020, 07:22 PM

Agee with everything here. It’s never an issue when you are moving....idling and or driving slow is what drives up engine temp. My FE has just one SPAL fan that I turn on when I start the car and leave on all the time. Temps in the summer are generally 190-195 which the engine likes. At 210 I make sure I am moving. Have not seen it get hotter than that.

Generally I overheat before the engine.

Mike.