So I bought a cool shirt 12 for my E36 M3 future IP car. I was wondering if anyone had any hints on installation? Since I am already under weight for class, I was thinking of cutting out the center post in the spare tire well and putting the cooler off to one side. I figured I would eventually get a fire system and mount it in the well also to get some extra weight in the rear. How did you wire it? I was planning on wiring a live switch on the dash to run the pump. Any hints?

My install was a piece of cake...I removed my passenger seat and I mounted the coolshirt box to the seat mount. The weight of the ice/box is on the light side of the car. I mounted my fire system on the short wall behind the passenger seat.

I actually have the F.A.S.T. system. They have two versions I think, I have the one that have variable speed on the water pump. This way if I get too cold, I can turn it down a bit. It's a knob, I fit it right into the a/c panel so it looks stock.

If I recall, the trunk is the preferred location by bimmerworld for both the fire system and coolshirt. It's definitely doable, just a little more wiring/tubing hassle.

vanderson has one as well. Maybe he can chime in..

Ideally you don't want to add additional weight behind the rear axle. Put it in the passenger area, on the right side of the tunnel.

Ideally you don't want to add additional weight behind the rear axle. Put it in the passenger area, on the right side of the tunnel.

My fire bottle and coolshirt cooler are on the floor of the front passenger compartment.

Drill holes in floor, inserts bolt, tighten nut. The best place for it is going to be where the passenger seat was.

Since many of our cars are dual purpose cars, it might make sense to pay attention to where you put the brackets for the cooler on the passenger side.

I actually placed mine a bit more forward in the car than I might optimally have done so to avoid any interference with putting a passenger seat in easily for driver school events.

Different chapters have different rules and guidelines for instructors. In Windy City, we are not supposed to go out in instructor sessions in cars that can not carry students. (trunk doesn't count). This is not necessarily a written rule, but its highly encouraged to get them in cars and scare the c**p out of them. I mean show them why following the line is important. Excuse me. Frankly, its really fun to instruct, and to get people involved in our hobby that way. Getting them into a full blown race car is a hoot, and sometimes its the only way they suddenly "GET" what is all about, and why the line matters. At slower speeds, it is sometimes difficult to "feel" why its so important to do it right. I digress.

But, really, in the E36, its a bit flatter just ahead of the seat area, and it was a whole heck of a lot easier to bolt the FAST bracket down there than it was right in the middle of the "seat area".... so mine sits forward, and outward a bit.

pull the passenger seat if you're in mod. Place the bracket around this way and that until its pretty flush... fill in the "space" with washers so it won't be pulling this way and that on the floorboard...and drill away. Be sure and watch whats underneath first.

Passenger area is easy access, and you don't have to futz with your trunk this way. The variable timing switch on the FAST product is slick, IMHO well worth the dough.

Alex Lipowich

The variable timing switch on the FAST product is slick, IMHO well worth the dough.

Maybe it's just because I race in the South for the most part, but I've never found a need for anything but 100% on all the time. I've never felt it was too cold, that's for sure.

What are other people finding?

Side note: I just got a Sparco shirt with the tubing on it. It dries so much faster than one of the normal cotton shirts, wicks moisture from sweat while I'm driving, and adds an extra layer of fire protection. A GREAT buy!

What are other people finding?


On the grid, I'm cranking 100%...it's really helped me to relax and focus on the task at hand. I got tired of staying out of the car for as long as possible then rushing to get strapped in before the cars started moving. With the coolshirt, I'm far cooler inside of the car than I am talking to the fellas.

During the race I start to feel a little too cool so I adjust it a little bit. Then as I'm on the cool down lap, I go back to 100% to get cold before having to get out of the car and go back to work. I think the variable pump speed feature will be very useful in the spring and fall where it's not really hot but it's uncomfortable on the grid.

I am in NC as well and cant imagine anything but, ON, for the shirt. I guess Alex touched on my main concern which is that I am still getting track time before I plan to get licensed next year. That means that I still have a passenger seat in with equal restraints. Other than the passenger seat (corbeau) the car is fully prepared. I only want to install this once so I was naturally thinking trunk.

vanderson has one as well. Maybe he can chime in..

I installed my 12 qt Coolshirt system this summer (being a PA native, I was stunned at how damn hot it is in OK and TX. You people are all nuts living out here. I may have to move back before next summer.....). I absolutely love the system and I plan on using unless it's really cool outside. Even at Mid-Ohio, when the temps were in the 70's, I used it. I have the variable-speed reohstat (sp?) thingy, when it's hot I have it cranking to 100% anyway. I mounted the cooler in the trunk, on the driver's side, in the far left rear corner. Although not ideal for weight distribution, that spot was perfect for the size and shape of the cooler and the mounting tray. Plus there was nothing else there :) . My car in its present state has weight issues anyway - I'm about 65 lbs over minimum, but with the AC and a good old fashioned solid front swaybar, the car is front heavy anyway. So that location was fine with me. I still run a passenger seat in the car when instructing, so I didn't want to clog up that side of the car. Two sturdy bolts for the mounting tray and I was good to go. From that spot, it's also very easy to drain the water out of the system via a simple siphon. I just stick a 1/2" diameter hose in there, and start a siphon and it drains right out. Before every session I refill it with regular ice cubes from a gas station, top it off with cold water and it's good for another session. If you are running an enduro in hot weather, I'd recommend a block of ice so it will last longer. Anyone considering one of these should do it. As Krisko said, it is truly a performance advantage. You can get strapped in early and then sit on the grid while it's cranking and stay cool and collected. Even during a 30 minute sprint race in hot weather it is a huge advantage. 30 min, plus 5-10 min grid time, in a suit in hot weather is a long time to be in a hot race car. I highly recommend them. I'd love to have the fancy Coolsuits, but just the Coolshirt and the 12-qt system is a great step, and not that much money for the benefits. I could take some pics this weekend if you want, but it's a really simple setup.

Vern
#186 IP

Ideally you don't want to add additional weight behind the rear axle. Put it in the passenger area, on the right side of the tunnel.

Correct. Mine is in the trunk, but I still also have the damn trailer hitch on my car, so my car is already a weight distribution disaster :eek: Maybe next race I'll leave the hitch shank and ball in there! Gotta get a tow vehicle. Looks like this spring that will finally be reality.

Side note: I just got a Sparco shirt with the tubing on it. It dries so much faster than one of the normal cotton shirts, wicks moisture from sweat while I'm driving, and adds an extra layer of fire protection. A GREAT buy!

Bryan, who sells the Sparco shirt you mentioned? Sparco, Coolshirt, other? Do you recall how much? Thanks!

Vern

During the race I start to feel a little too cool so I adjust it a little bit.

You actually get cooler WHILE you drive? I wish I could say the same for myself.

You people are all nuts living out here. I may have to move back before next summer....

No arguement there.

I absolutely love the system and I plan on using unless it's really cool outside.

I'm definitely sold. Sitting on the grid at MSR in August was more than enough to convince me.

Do you all think having the fire bottle in the trunk is a bad idea?

Rob-

Found a picture for you.

You actually get cooler WHILE you drive? I wish I could say the same for myself.

I get the wind on my face and I'm not thinking about being so damned hot anymore during a race. I'll be on the back straight collecting my thoughts and I'll think to myself 'damn, I'm getting cold!' and I'll adjust the cool shirt.

On the grid the coolshirt is a lifesaver. Just as you start getting a little uncomfortable, you'll hear the whirrrr of the pump and you know everything is going to be okay.

I have the cool suit... With the variable panel, which is in the trash right now... Just put it on a switch. Can it ever get too cold in a race car????? not is south florida. I would never put something as important as a FIRE BOTTLE out side of the cage. If you back it into a wall and the car catchs on fire your are toast with the bottle back there.....

The tray fits under the passenger seat when it is installed you just have to set it up right. I odviously don't run the cool suit when I have a paasenger seat in the car. We only use the seat for students or Family lapping fun.

My wife loves it.

That pic is exactly what I was thinking.

Bryan, who sells the Sparco shirt you mentioned? Sparco, Coolshirt, other? Do you recall how much? Thanks!

I got mine, along with some additional HANS hardware, from one of the board sponsors. Apexperformance.net I believe.

Who sells a nomex shirt with the tubing?

I bought one of the slick PTG suits... Dieter Quester's, and Its only two layers. It sucks to have a nomex layer AND the cool suit.

Also, I have an "extra" PTG suit, it was Adams I think? Its a bit tight on me at 5-10 155, but length and otherwise pretty much good. Is there a skinny guy out there that might want it?

(not free)

And... if you have not prepare LARGE ice cubes in advance, and are running small cubes from a gas station, the variable speed is critical to keeping the cubes in place for the lenght of the race. Full on will not cool you for 30 minutes on a hot day, so the variable timer is pretty slick for that reason too.

Alex.

Bryan, what Sparco shirt did you buy? Do you have a link?
Also, I have an "extra" PTG suit, it was Adams I think? Its a bit tight on me at 5-10 155, but length and otherwise pretty much good. Is there a skinny guy out there that might want it? I'm 5'9", 150 lbs. Send me a PM.

Who sells a nomex shirt with the tubing?

http://www.apexperformance.net/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=1023&cid=11

You can get it in either Carbon-X, Sparco Nomex or Stand21 Nomex. I've got a white Sparco, short sleeved that I love. It's MUCH preferable over the normal cotton shirt. We keep the cotton as a backup now.

Muchas gracias, beewatts.