Hi all!

in my intro post, I described the new FC I'll be picking up Saturday (shout out to Sean and Jeff, the enthusiasts who rebuilt thus engine and have been testing it out!) I'll be driving it back 7 hours to Texas. Weather is supposed to be warm that evening, so I'm already on alert to keep the car from overheating.

I have the ability to bring tools/fluids up with me as I'm catching a ride with a friend. Does anyone have any advice on driving it back? I know to be mindful of overheating and flooding. I plan to premix and bring extra coolant/oil and check levels when I fill up. Trying to not run below a 1/4 tank of gas either, so I'll stop fairly frequently I think.

Looking forward to getting this baby into my driveway!

thanks for reading!

 

Overheating shouldn't be a big concern as long as the cooling system is in good shape. It looks like from the pictures that's a stock radiator, so if you're living in texas, a Koyo aluminum would be a good upgrade. The stock mechanical fan pulls a lot of CFM. Do you know if it still has the factory under tray?

The stock gauge isn't the most accurate for temp before it's already starting to get too hot, so just be mindful of that.

 

thanks for the reply! Yes, I intend to go with a Koyo. I've seen around here that the N-Flow is preferential even among other SS radiators.

both radiator hoses have been replaced, and I did ensure this one has an undertray/fan shroud. I really think coolant upgrades are the first place I'll start since I live in one of the hottest (but driest) areas of the country. Good idea with the aftermarket coolant temp indicator, I'll put that in the research pile!

 

i'd just check the fluids and tire pressures before you go, and it should be ok. freeway driving is basically the easiest.
for me to get to Sevenstock its ~400miles just to get there, and in ~20 years, its been pretty much smooth sailing.

last time, in our group of 4 cars, we had one where the gas pump didn't shut off, so it was all over the ground. and then we got stuck in traffic on the grapevine, and pulled over cause things got hot, it wasn't just us though
the time before that, someone's alternator died (i think?), so we just rotated batteries

 

sounds like a real adventure! Thanks for the reply, I feel like paranoia is part of the rotary ownership experience, but it's probably largely overstated 😂

 

Looks like it's in pretty good shape for an S4. How many miles are on it? Like GtiKyle mentioned, as long as the original cooling system is in good shape then it shouldn't be an issue. Since you're unfamiliar with this car, I would keep a check on your oil level. The S4's used a mechanical oil metering pump (OMP), which tends to use a lot of oil especially during high speed driving. Also, check your tires before the trip. Have a safe trip!

 

For what its worth - the S4 gauge is known to be much more dependable in truth telling in terms of the temp gauge. Its the S5 gauges that set you up for failure...meaning once it starts to creep up into the high range, its already been way too hot.

Edit - youll also want to get a battery tie down...that optima battery is going to be flopping around there like crazy.

 

thanks for the tips! I'll definitely keep an eye on that oil level. The previous owner's been testing it after the rebuild (132kmi currently on ODO with about 500mi on the rebuild) and reports average oil consumption, so fingers crossed it should be fine

Thanks for the reply! Good to know that about the S4 temp gauge. I've checked temp forecasts all along my route and it looks like it'll be high of 80's, so I'm grateful for that. And thanks for the recommendation about the battery tie down, that's a really good catch! You get the eagle-eye award of the day (no cash value &#129320