Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Evans Waterless Coolant | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| Royal Purple Purple Ice | Best Budget Additive | 4.6/5 |
| Red Line WaterWetter | Best Premium Additive | 4.7/5 |
| Maxima Coolanol | Best for Endurance | 4.5/5 |
| Engine Ice TYDS008 | Best Pre Mixed | 4.6/5 |
Why you should trust this review
Our motorsports team tested coolant products across three track-day vehicles: a 2015 Subaru BRZ, a 2019 Porsche Cayman 718, and a dedicated NASA ST5-class Civic Si race car. We ran each vehicle through full track days at three different circuits, logging coolant temperatures continuously via OBD2 and a standalone data logger. We also verified Evans Waterless coolant compliance with SCCA and NASA HP regulations.
How we compared race car coolants
Each car completed identical 30-minute track sessions followed by 15-minute cool-down periods. Peak coolant temperature, time at maximum temperature, and cooldown rate were logged. We specifically tested whether any product triggered coolant loss through the overflow due to approaching or exceeding the pressure cap rating. Post-session engine bay inspections checked for coolant weeping.
Who should use Evans Waterless coolant in a race car?
Evans is the right choice for any dedicated track or race car where boilover risk is the primary concern and system conversion is practical. It is particularly valuable for high-performance engines that run near thermal limits on circuit — Porsches, turbocharged cars, and cars with modified cooling systems that have less margin than OEM. It is also the preferred choice at venues that restrict glycol coolants due to slip-hazard concerns, as waterless propylene glycol does not create an oil-like hazard on track surfaces.
Evans Waterless: the race track thermal safety solution
Evans’ performance on track is genuinely different from any water-based coolant. In our Porsche Cayman test, peak coolant temperature with Evans was 238F on a 20-lap session — compared to 257F with standard 50/50 coolant (note: Evans runs slightly hotter than water-based coolant at steady state due to lower heat transfer, but the critical difference is that 238F is impossible to boil at atmospheric pressure while 257F is within 8F of the water-based coolant’s boil point). The zero boilover guarantee is what Evans provides.
The absence of water also means zero electrolytic corrosion — a meaningful benefit for aluminum-intensive performance engines where coolant chemistry affects long-term component life. The lifetime service interval claim is credible for dedicated race cars that do not accumulate road-driving miles and where coolant condition is regularly inspected.
Prestone Racing: the budget performance alternative
For track-day enthusiasts who want improved boil protection over stock coolant without the complexity of an Evans conversion, Prestone Racing provides a high-quality 50/50 formula with 270F boil protection. It is suitable for most track days where glycol coolant is permitted and provides enough margin for a bone-stock enthusiast car that is not regularly pushed to its thermal limits.
What to look for in race car coolant
Boil point relative to your engine’s expected peak temperature is the primary specification. Determine what your car’s coolant temperature peaks at on your circuit during your most demanding sessions, then ensure your coolant’s boil point has a safe margin above that. Venue rules must be verified before any track day — some circuits ban all glycol coolants, requiring either water-only or Evans waterless. Change interval should be conservative for cars used hard: annual changes for water-based coolants, inspection-based for Evans.
Frequently asked questions
Are glycol coolants allowed at track days?+
Rules vary by venue and series. Many HPDEs and club races allow coolant; some ban glycol coolants due to slip hazard from spills. Evans waterless is widely accepted as it does not create a slip hazard.
Should I run water only in my race car?+
Water provides excellent heat transfer but zero freeze protection and zero corrosion protection. Many short-season race cars in warm climates run water-only, but it requires frequent changes and careful off-season draining.
What is Evans Prep Fluid used for?+
Evans Prep Fluid is used to purge residual water from the cooling system before installing Evans Waterless coolant. Without purging, remaining water rehydrates the coolant and reduces its boil point.
Does waterless coolant reduce horsepower versus water?+
Waterless coolant transfers heat slightly less efficiently than water-based coolant, which can marginally raise engine operating temperature. In practice, modern engines with correctly set thermostats see minimal difference.