cold engine?

DickH · October 21st, 2008, 01:28 AM

I was a dumb ass the other day and raced someone without letting my car warm up. It was maybe in the 50's a bit chilly and my car maybe ran for 10 minutes in the last hour, his car had been running the entire time to keep his wife/gf/whatever warm. Now before from a roll I got him, not by loads, but I would pull and keep moving away, slowly. We went from a stop and I put a good length on him right away, but then he ran up on my ass real fast and we ended up about even. Now usually losing doesn't really bug me, but other people had pissed me off earlier saying that other guy walks me all the time and so knowing I am faster I raced him again. He had new, better tires and wanted to go from a stop, for whatever reason so we did that. How much could I hand over to someone else by having a cold engine? And yes I know it wasn't the best for my car.

94' Cobra 351 · November 12th, 2008, 07:12 AM

I always figured colder engine = more power

My cars always felt like they had more power cold. I figured it was colder air coming in.

2006GTARPD3 · November 12th, 2008, 06:44 PM

I think its actually better for warmer engine but cold out for the intake. Idk if you gave up any power though, when I fire up mine and take off its ready to go.

ReverendDexter · November 12th, 2008, 09:59 PM

Running the motor hard when it's cold is a bad idea. You should always make sure you engine is up to temp before you get on it.

And yes, cold air makes more power than warm air. It's why drag racers ice their intakes, boosty cars use an intercooler, and a half the reason nitrous adds power.

thewayshemoves · November 13th, 2008, 07:12 AM

When cold metal starts warming up too fast the change in pressure can cause problems. Heat expands metal. If you run a cold engine too much it'll heat up too fast and can actually crack things. It's good for the air going into the engine to be cold because cold air is denser than warm air. You want to give the oil time to heat up the entrails of the block, though. You'll lose a bit of power if you're running too cold and could potentially risk more than power. Personally, my tranny runs like total shit until it's warmed up a little bit.

01Ranger · November 13th, 2008, 10:52 AM

you dont want to go from extream cold to hot

Goblin · December 18th, 2008, 02:09 AM

Be a team player to your engine and let it warm up before you hot dog it.

F8L GT · December 18th, 2008, 02:14 AM

If I were to start my car even in the summer and just take off to go to town, it is real doggy and just weird. Once it warms up it is much better. You want an engine to my at operating temp before messing around. And its not a colder engine that = more power, its colder air. Thats why in bracket racing, you always have to move your dial in up a couple tenths because you may pick some up from the colder air.

ROUSH STAGE II · January 4th, 2009, 10:35 PM

Running too cold will hurt your times. I put a t-stat that was too cold in one of my vehicles and it was noticeably affected.

zack065 · February 3rd, 2009, 03:24 PM

i always wait til the car gets warmed up first

94' Cobra 351 · February 3rd, 2009, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by zack065

i always wait til the car gets warmed up first

Yeah, running the engine hard when it isn't warmed up is hard on your engine. The pistons actually expand when they heat up, making a better seal inside the cylinder (forged pistons especially)

topogiggio · February 14th, 2009, 05:15 AM

Ouch! Cold engine, cold tranny... that'll do just like everyone's said so far, lose the power and most importantly tear up the engine, but don't forget the tranny and the rear end!

NinetySixVert · February 15th, 2009, 02:01 PM

Cold air =

Cold engine =

October 21st, 2008, 01:28 AM	#1
DickH MM Fanatic 2003 gt 5.4 32v on the way Join Date: May 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 3,947 iTrader: 2 reviews	cold engine? I was a dumb ass the other day and raced someone without letting my car warm up. It was maybe in the 50's a bit chilly and my car maybe ran for 10 minutes in the last hour, his car had been running the entire time to keep his wife/gf/whatever warm. Now before from a roll I got him, not by loads, but I would pull and keep moving away, slowly. We went from a stop and I put a good length on him right away, but then he ran up on my ass real fast and we ended up about even. Now usually losing doesn't really bug me, but other people had pissed me off earlier saying that other guy walks me all the time and so knowing I am faster I raced him again. He had new, better tires and wanted to go from a stop, for whatever reason so we did that. How much could I hand over to someone else by having a cold engine? And yes I know it wasn't the best for my car. __________________ Before asking a gearing related question click THIS link and enjoy all your saved time. Click here for your tuning needs My slow paced budget 5.4 dohc build

November 12th, 2008, 06:44 PM	#3
2006GTARPD3 Golf Pencil Kawk Juggler 2006 Mustang GT 509RWHP/450RWT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NY Posts: 2,395 iTrader: 0 reviews	I think its actually better for warmer engine but cold out for the intake. Idk if you gave up any power though, when I fire up mine and take off its ready to go. __________________ Procharger D-1SC Kit - Pypes O/R H - FRPP Stingers Team Ricer GT Co-Founder

November 12th, 2008, 09:59 PM	#4
ReverendDexter Priest of the Car Gods Clapped-out '90 GT 'vert ~5.5 seconds off TTOD :( Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 13,233 iTrader: 0 reviews	Running the motor hard when it's cold is a bad idea. You should always make sure you engine is up to temp before you get on it. And yes, cold air makes more power than warm air. It's why drag racers ice their intakes, boosty cars use an intercooler, and a half the reason nitrous adds power. __________________ O o /¯/______________________ \|BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!! \_\ Buy my Bronco, special deal for MM folks

December 18th, 2008, 02:09 AM	#7
Goblin Hardcore Enthusiast 88mm Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,111 iTrader: 0 reviews	Be a team player to your engine and let it warm up before you hot dog it. __________________

December 18th, 2008, 02:14 AM	#8
F8L GT !FACEPLATED! 2002 Mustang GT 7.84 @ 86.01 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 12,063 iTrader: 13 reviews	If I were to start my car even in the summer and just take off to go to town, it is real doggy and just weird. Once it warms up it is much better. You want an engine to my at operating temp before messing around. And its not a colder engine that = more power, its colder air. Thats why in bracket racing, you always have to move your dial in up a couple tenths because you may pick some up from the colder air. __________________ MM Bracket Racing Crew Co-Founder ~Its a Drag Car, Not a Show Car~ Custom Race Transmission Build

November 12th, 2008, 07:12 AM	#2
94' Cobra 351 Regular Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 478 iTrader: 0 reviews	I always figured colder engine = more power My cars always felt like they had more power cold. I figured it was colder air coming in.

January 4th, 2009, 10:35 PM	#9
ROUSH STAGE II Hardcore Enthusiast 2005 Turbonetics Baby!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mauriceville, Texas Posts: 2,218 iTrader: 0 reviews	Running too cold will hurt your times. I put a t-stat that was too cold in one of my vehicles and it was noticeably affected. __________________ Turbonetics baby!!! 11.23@122 mph...

February 3rd, 2009, 03:24 PM	#10
zack065 Regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 461 iTrader: 0 reviews	i always wait til the car gets warmed up first

February 14th, 2009, 05:15 AM	#12
topogiggio Newbie 2007 Retro-Styled BOSS281 Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 36 iTrader: 0 reviews	Ouch! Cold engine, cold tranny... that'll do just like everyone's said so far, lose the power and most importantly tear up the engine, but don't forget the tranny and the rear end! __________________ GOBOSS www.grabberorange.com Home of the new shinier GO site!!

February 15th, 2009, 02:01 PM	#13
NinetySixVert Regular 1996 Mustang GT Conv. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 239 iTrader: 0 reviews	Cold air = Cold engine =

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