Miata Cooling Design Question/Issue
Just picked up a 97 NA8 with 135K on the clock. I thoroughly test drove the car and saw everything was in order. Previous owner had replaced all major hoses and the fans. Radiator had no "burnt" look. Coolant was nice and green and clean. But when I started doing AutoX-ish maneuvers for about 5 minutes in a parking lot, the temperature gauge started to rise and get close to the H. I stopped, turned heat on, and let the car idle and it returned to normal. No problem.
I've read our radiators have horrible design. I know many buy the aftermarket Koyorad's or switch to some crazy duty 37mm or 39 mm or even 55mm all aluminum radiators. But everything I read says that is only needed for miata's with forced induction and track duty.
I figured I'd just drain my radiator and refill with distilled water. Did so, burped system of air, all good and gauge stays at 11 o clock. moved to 1 o clock after some vigorous parking lot maneuvers but obviously much better than before.
So the question is, with my power output being stock, and increased cooling of my watered down cooling system, do I need to really worry about doing AutoX in this damned insane Tx Heat? Obviously I'll watch the gauge but I'd rather just drive more and worry less.
Also, I typically run the car with the AC on, so that both fans are on, helping out cooling I believe.
Do I need to do anything else to the stock cooling system? Or should I upgrade since this is my nominal street car with an emphasis on heavy future AutoX and Track Use?