[Mattyice]

I own a 01 Celica GTS 6MT. It's been my baby since 2010 and the only major problem was a head gasket replacement. Everything else was minor fixes and replacements. I also own the last year of the QX50 with a VQ37. I'm looking at the 400z and am very interested in the suspected price and performance.

My biggest concern is the design of the VR30DDTT engine itself; primarily with the turbo system. My question comes in two folds and I've searched everywhere and there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer to it.

Does installing a larger heat exchange fixes the issue with heat soak for the IAT? If so, how long and hard do you need to beat on the car for it to start sagging in performance? My Celica, I beat the hell out of this guy and nothing happens. I have a huge, aftermarket radiator and upgraded oil pump from mwr to keep it going.

Will the new 400z be including a better heat exchanger than aftermarket ones?

If the 400z lands at $39-40k for the sports package, I want to get one. The qx50 belongs to my wife. There's a list of folks who wants my Celica and I'm willing to let it go for the right car to replace it. Until then, I'll be driving my road hugger.

 

[St00k]

Welcome to the forum @Mattyice

I think it's too early to speak specifically about the new Z yet but generally speaking a larger heat exchanger will do a better job. I do find turbo engines and larger engines in general really do benefit from these sort of upgrades.

And I'd say the aftermarket can always do a better job than OE because OE parts need to meet so many requirements. Most owners will never require massive amounts of cooling, so it's not built into the car. But if that's what you require, well, you can go to the aftermarket.

If you're tracking the car, I generally find the brakes fade well before any heat soak issues, unless it's a crazy hot day out.

 

[THaskins]

Hey @Mattyice! Welcome to the forum. Those Celicas are a lot of fun to drive, great engines to rev up. It's easy to fall in love with them. Do you have any other mods on it?

Usually a larger heat exchange makes a big difference from what I've seen in other cars. But until the Z comes out and people get their hands on it it's hard to say right now.

 

[325]

Usually a larger heat exchange makes a big difference from what I've seen in other cars. But until the Z comes out and people get their hands on it it's hard to say right now.

Do you think they would gather info from the cars operating in desert environments?

 

[THaskins]

Do you think they would gather info from the cars operating in desert environments?

Nissan? I would hope they're doing hot weather testing with some of the Z prototypes.

 

[Mattyice]

Welcome to the forum @Mattyice

And I'd say the aftermarket can always do a better job than OE because OE parts need to meet so many requirements. Most owners will never require massive amounts of cooling, so it's not built into the car. But if that's what you require, well, you can go to the aftermarket.

If you're tracking the car, I generally find the brakes fade well before any heat soak issues, unless it's a crazy hot day out.

I don't take my car to the track anymore. Did it once and I got side-swiped by a car that was salty because he got passed on the inside of the hairpin. It didn't take him long to catch me on the straight and then it happens. I just want a car I can enjoy on windy roads.

Good to know about the heating concerns. For a DD, I shouldn't need to worry. I don't mind investing in aftermarket parts to preserve the engine and turbos.

Hey @Mattyice! Welcome to the forum. Those Celicas are a lot of fun to drive, great engines to rev up. It's easy to fall in love with them. Do you have any other mods on it?

The Celica is a very easy car to drive and quite forgiving to newbies.

The only engine mods are the upgraded oil pump and larger (3x the OEM size) radiator. I did full coilovers, full polyurethane bushings on the swaybar, control arms and steering assembly. 17x8 rims with all season rubber (used to be a set of re71r). The camber is set to OEM specs. Brakes were changed to drill\slotted rotors with carbon ceramic pads. It's basically setup for windy roads.

All you need is a stiffer suspension, windy roads and proper driving etiquettes. Fun car indeed but it needs to sit above 6k to really wake up.