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Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 11:49 am
by Brian
One of the many little tests on the first track day for our Fiat 124 was tracking OIL TEMP. The Miata lacks an oil cooler, no heat exchanger between oil and radiator and no dedicated oil cooler. With the Miata we found oil temps could spike toward 300 F on track days, way too hot. Thus, it is our firm recommendation that the Miata needs an oil cooler for any track days...if you care about motor longevity. Meanwhile...the Fiat has an oil/coolant heat exchanger but we still added an oil temp gauge so we could check effectiveness. This event day was relatively cool for Willow Springs, even afternoon temps only about 71 F. Nonetheless, oil temp was 220 most of the day and peaked at 230 at the last run of they day. Thus, factory heat exchanger is decently effective, we expect that HOT track days and future mods still need a dedicated oil cooler and will look into that down the road but for most folks our initial opinion is that Fiat does not require upgraded oil cooler for mild weather track use.

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 6:40 pm
by jpwfz6
Hi Brian,
Does the Fiat have an oil temperature sender and if so were you able to pick it up from the obd2 port?
Or did you have to install your own oil temperature sender and gauge and if so, what did you use?
Thanks,

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 6:08 am
by Brian
We added our own oil temp sensor sender and gauge, I don't recall the brand at the moment, something we already had in our collection of testing gear.

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 10:59 am
by Brian
Our own Ryan Passey in our Fiat 124 at Willow Springs Raceway.

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 2:41 pm
by Brian
Picture Courtesy Larry Koh

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 3:19 pm
by GraemeM737
Great comparison test Brian, still love my NC1.........just one thing? that FireBird roll protection bar wouldn't cut it in OZ. There appears to be no rearwards bracing & in a rollover (heaven forbid) it would simply fold back! Never really understood even the factory protection more focussed on sideways protection, guess the hood restricts bracing? Hence your NC removable brace bars, heh?

Keep up the good work but don't forget the NC's
Aussie NC lover, 'Down Under' :D

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 6:28 pm
by Brian
GraemeM737 wrote:Great comparison test Brian, still love my NC1.........just one thing? that FireBird roll protection bar wouldn't cut it in OZ. There appears to be no rearwards bracing & in a rollover (heaven forbid) it would simply fold back! Never really understood even the factory protection more focussed on sideways protection, guess the hood restricts bracing? Hence your NC removable brace bars, heh?

Keep up the good work but don't forget the NC's
Aussie NC lover, 'Down Under' :D
You cannot see it in these shots...but it is heavily braced to the rear under the body work.

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 10:25 am
by Brian
Pic of our AFR setup, AEM Failsafe.

Cannibalized one cup holder but it works great.

Can be both AFR and Boost Gauge.

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 10:50 am
by Brian
Our Fiat 124 on NEW Flow Formed Konig ULTRAFORM 17x8

Re: PROJECT FIAT 124, Testing, Measurements, Dyno, etc

Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 6:04 pm
by Brian
The one thing in our notes after first track weekend with our Fiat vs Miata test was both drivers found the Fiat was at a disadvantage to the Miata on our best big brakes. The 'Streets' of Willow Springs Raceway is not a seriously big or fast track, only hitting a bit over 100 on the two straights, but the downhill braking zone put enough heat stress on the brakes that it was enough to separate the performance of our Fiat with four piston upgrade on stock two-piece rotors from our Miata using our 12.88 big brakes and SIX piston caliper. The Miata braking was consistent and smooth and driver could be late on the brakes with confidence they were going to brake and make the turn-in. The Fiat several times faded enough to go deeper than planned into the brake zone and that meant the line into the next turn lacked consistency. So....on with our big 12.88 kit and our six piston setup.