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I have a set of SPAL fans. They seemed to help a little bit, but not that much. I think the bigger issue is keeping air flow going through the condensor and radiator. JMHO but if I were going to put $500 into the cooling system (roughly the cost of the fans or the pump), I'd put it toward having a fabricator make me a trick shroud that provides for top AND side enclosure of the radiator.
A lot of people don't realize it but the factory shroud (almost) perfectly encloses the radiator so that as the air dam scoops air upward it has no place to go but through the radiator. Most of the SC kits I've seen out there only prevent air from going over the radiator, but they don't do anything for air going AROUND the radiator.
This is one of the strong aspects of the LPE kit IMHO. Their fender mount twin intercoolers seem to get the job done somehow and they are able to retain the factory shroud. Not only is that more stealth but I think it eliminates virtually all of the cooling issues us FI guys have. If I could get my hands on those ICs for cheap and I could replumb my TTiX without a huge issue to use said ICs, I'd do it.
Just my two cents, for what it's worth.
Last edited by Tony @ MPH; May 15, 2006 at 11:46 PM.
I have a set of SPAL fans. They seemed to help a little bit, but not that much. I think the bigger issue is keeping air flow going through the condensor and radiator. JMHO but if I were going to put $500 into the cooling system (roughly the cost of the fans or the pump), I'd put it toward having a fabricator make me a trick shroud that provides for top AND side enclosure of the radiator.
A lot of people don't realize it but the factory shroud (almost) perfectly encloses the radiator so that as the air dam scoops air upward it has no place to go but through the radiator. Most of the SC kits I've seen out there only prevent air from going over the radiator, but they don't do anything for air going AROUND the radiator.
This is one of the strong aspects of the LPE kit IMHO. Their fender mount twin intercoolers seem to get the job done somehow and they are able to retain the factory shroud. Not only is that more stealth but I think it eliminates virtually all of the cooling issues us FI guys have. If I could get my hands on those ICs for cheap and I could replumb my TTiX without a huge issue to use said ICs, I'd do it.
Just my two cents, for what it's worth.
agree 100%. I've spent a few hours and about $10 in parts and I have no cooling issues at all (stock radiator + some simple fabricated parts).
From: Stealth So Cal GOCC ...comming to invade your neighborhood soon
I've done the Spal's, and the DeWitt's, and the lower T-stat. Now I've even relocated/reconfigured/redesigned the intercooler and it's associated air feed path. Next is to shroud the rad like Noob sated. I WILL eventually solve this cooling issue!
What is the main cause for heat issues with a FI induction setup? Is it the FMIC? Lowering the radiator? or high IAT?
V8_Club, while Iam not an expert, but if you are concerned about heat issues when under boost then you can probably solve that by tuning as well as Alky injection. However if you are having heat issues when off boost (i.e. idle-cruise) then what you probably need are the SPAL fans as well as increasing the water % & decreasing the glycol % in your radiator.
I have a set of SPAL fans. They seemed to help a little bit, but not that much. I think the bigger issue is keeping air flow going through the condensor and radiator. JMHO but if I were going to put $500 into the cooling system (roughly the cost of the fans or the pump), I'd put it toward having a fabricator make me a trick shroud that provides for top AND side enclosure of the radiator.
A lot of people don't realize it but the factory shroud (almost) perfectly encloses the radiator so that as the air dam scoops air upward it has no place to go but through the radiator. Most of the SC kits I've seen out there only prevent air from going over the radiator, but they don't do anything for air going AROUND the radiator.
This is one of the strong aspects of the LPE kit IMHO. Their fender mount twin intercoolers seem to get the job done somehow and they are able to retain the factory shroud. Not only is that more stealth but I think it eliminates virtually all of the cooling issues us FI guys have. If I could get my hands on those ICs for cheap and I could replumb my TTiX without a huge issue to use said ICs, I'd do it.
WHile on this subject can anyone tell me how the ATI Single fan holds up. I am not going to lower my radiator and am hoping to work out a way to use the stock fans, but if its not possible I'd like to know how the ATI fan performs. And if its not satisfactory what can i do to improve cooling.
What is the main cause for heat issues with a FI induction setup? Is it the FMIC? Lowering the radiator? or high IAT?
V8_Club, while Iam not an expert, but if you are concerned about heat issues when under boost then you can probably solve that by tuning as well as Alky injection. However if you are having heat issues when off boost (i.e. idle-cruise) then what you probably need are the SPAL fans as well as increasing the water % & decreasing the glycol % in your radiator.
It's not an IAT thing. I think many of us who live in hotter climates get hot coolant temps just cruising around. The issue is two-fold -- you have the FMIC blocking a little bit of airflow, and because the FMIC is there, you can't use the factory shroud which would have ordinarily directed airflow through the radiator.
Alky may help keep the temperatures down when you're running the car hard but to solve the "car is generally hot" issue you'll need to fab up a shroud of some sort.
It's not an IAT thing. I think many of us who live in hotter climates get hot coolant temps just cruising around. The issue is two-fold -- you have the FMIC blocking a little bit of airflow, and because the FMIC is there, you can't use the factory shroud which would have ordinarily directed airflow through the radiator.
Alky may help keep the temperatures down when you're running the car hard but to solve the "car is generally hot" issue you'll need to fab up a shroud of some sort.
And this is exactly why I chose not to use the FMIC, not only does it block off some air it also heats it up too.
I lowered my radiator and installed a DeWitts and kept the twins, yeh I know I left some on the table, but not as much as you think.
Freeing up the blower intake is a huge help in lowering IAT's and increases boost by about 3lbs.
BTW Andy makes a nice piece to cover the top and with just a little minor tweeking and some weather striping form Home Depot you can assimilate the factory shroud pretty well.
It's not an IAT thing. I think many of us who live in hotter climates get hot coolant temps just cruising around. The issue is two-fold -- you have the FMIC blocking a little bit of airflow, and because the FMIC is there, you can't use the factory shroud which would have ordinarily directed airflow through the radiator.
Alky may help keep the temperatures down when you're running the car hard but to solve the "car is generally hot" issue you'll need to fab up a shroud of some sort.
Thanks for the info. Just how hot are we talking about here? For example, assuming ~100 degrees, what is your coolant temps when sitting in traffic for 10+ minutes with the AC on? What about temps while driving on the highway?
I don't understand-how can you make a shroud similar to stock to take care of cooling for the FMIC and the the rad. Please tell me-i own a fab shop and could help myself and alot you guys out too.
It's not an IAT thing. I think many of us who live in hotter climates get hot coolant temps just cruising around. The issue is two-fold -- you have the FMIC blocking a little bit of airflow, and because the FMIC is there, you can't use the factory shroud which would have ordinarily directed airflow through the radiator.
Alky may help keep the temperatures down when you're running the car hard but to solve the "car is generally hot" issue you'll need to fab up a shroud of some sort.
Which of the following would you do to keep your coolant temps down:
1- Spal Fans
2- Mezieres sp ?
I already have a Dewitts A01A Radiator.
Neither of the above. Your best best is to move the intercooler so it's not blocking air flow to the radiator and to fit an efficient engine oil cooler if you want safe engine temps in high ambient temperature conditions. Large air to air intercoolers mounted in front of the engine radiator will cause real temp issues for the C5 with FI.
I have A&A Vortech S Trim setup on my 99 Z51 MN6. Dewitts radiator & Dewitts twin 12" Spal fans did not help much. I believe this is due to air not being channeled properly through the radiator. In addition I have A Tigershark front end which lets in considerably more air than the factory front end. I know these items work better than stock setup just by their physical design properties. No overheating issues but the temp does reach 220-228 in city driving conditions with the A/C on. On the highway at 80MPH the temp reads 190-200. Without the A/C city or highway temp is 180-190. SO, IMHO I believe a custom fabricated shroud & maybe some creative engineering will be the ultimate solution.
I have a meizere EWP and as soon as I put it on I took notice that the car takes alittle long to warm up.... but 90-100* don't even budge the temp gauge... WOT runs don't even budge it...
I also have a 160* thermo and the fans set to turn on at 180*
Will the stock shroud fit over the A&A kit? I'm assuming you still need to cut holes for the piping to the blower and after the intercooler. Anyone have pics of there stock shroud over the ECS setup?