r5 engine bay vs r9, better cooling??

[alister]

Ok the r5 has a bad rep for overheating, talking to a friend he seems to think the r9 engine bay being bigger and more room round the engine for airflow would be a better bet for a trackcar.

I wouldnt of thought it would make much difference as cooling is do by the radiator, any opinions?

[paul b]

I have a 9 that spend's time on track......compared to the 5's I had it cool's no better or worse....

it is easier to work on with the extra room....just my opinion but I think it handles better than a 5, gives a bit more notice before she goes light at the back...LOL.:D

[Bruce - BHPerformance]

They both cool perfectly well if the airflow is good and the rad and other componants are in A1 condition. Best cooling is achieved with air rammed through the rad using the standard plastic shields that most people bin.

[Bruce - BHPerformance]

I agree on the handling (although I am only experienced with an 11) as its much more stable at speed.

[alister]

i'm just having a dilema with which cars i should keep! I cant keep them all!
R5 gt turbo, r9 turbo, e30 325i and and e34 525i.
525 is standard, 325i just has koni rate adjustables and front and rear strut braces.
R9 is lowered, t25, different exhaust and air filter, most interrior trim missing, and the r5 is standardish, but I have a rollcage waiting to be fitted to it.

Plus I have a turbo kit that will go on either bmw, but currently its up for sale. A garage full of bits and bobs, silicone hose, nitrous kit, leda suspension for a 106/saxo, lightweight bucket seats, 5 point harness, cossie 4x4 intercooler, plumbed in fire extinguisher, battery cut off, afew sets of wheels, one for an e36 bmw, one for a saxo/106, a set of compomotive alloys 2 are different centerbore to the other 2 tho will go on e30, r5/r9 with rings/machining, set of 15"ax alloys, 2.5" r5 stainless exhaust, escort rs turbo stainless exhaust and heaps of other random bits.

Only driven the e30 on track as the 5 never seems to be ready!

A friend said sell the r5 and use the r9 as a trackcar as will less likely get hot, and keep the e30 as its awesome, and it is the best car i've ever had.

[alister]

oh and after seeing what the backyard boys have done with the civic for little outlay I've been thinking Jap vtec, as they are crazy strong engines!