New Intercooler Heat Exchanger
07-17-2004, 04:06 PM
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New Intercooler Heat Exchanger
I just mounted up the new heat exchangers for the intercooler system and it has now become a buck toothed vehicle. 
I wanted to try something to help keep the IC water temps lower to increase efficiency. I initially tried to find a radiator which would fit but was unsuccessful. I could have had one made but it would have cost over $400. So I went with something I did with my Typhoon; heater cores.
These are plain old GM truck heater cores. Thinking about it, this is probably the most efficient method of transferring heat out of the water as that is what it is designed for.
It wasn’t that the other method wasn’t working. It was keeping the coolant within 20 – 30 degrees of ambient even after being stuck in traffic on a 90+ day. I just wanted to see if it could get better. This is also in conjunction with the other things I will be changing this week in going with a fuel cell as the reservoir.
No tests yet but I will tomorrow as the hoses are hooked up yep and I had to jump in the shower (company coming over).
More on this tomorrow but now you can certainly see somehting isn't normal here.
I wanted to try something to help keep the IC water temps lower to increase efficiency. I initially tried to find a radiator which would fit but was unsuccessful. I could have had one made but it would have cost over $400. So I went with something I did with my Typhoon; heater cores.
These are plain old GM truck heater cores. Thinking about it, this is probably the most efficient method of transferring heat out of the water as that is what it is designed for.
It wasn’t that the other method wasn’t working. It was keeping the coolant within 20 – 30 degrees of ambient even after being stuck in traffic on a 90+ day. I just wanted to see if it could get better. This is also in conjunction with the other things I will be changing this week in going with a fuel cell as the reservoir.
No tests yet but I will tomorrow as the hoses are hooked up yep and I had to jump in the shower (company coming over).
More on this tomorrow but now you can certainly see somehting isn't normal here.
07-17-2004, 05:08 PM
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not quite an fmic, but you can tell something is going on under there. 
how in the world your hood closes? looks tight, good job though!
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07-18-2004, 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by derelict
flwse.com having some issues right now I believe.
07-19-2004, 10:48 AM
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So far so good. I'll take some temperature measurements later today when I get home and post them. But it sure looks like a mean blue rabbit from a distance.
07-19-2004, 11:08 AM
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Adding more weight to the front can't be helping the CL's stock weight ratio of 63/37 (not sure what it is on the 6MT)
Any ideas to get this ratio to go in a more favorable direction?
Any ideas to get this ratio to go in a more favorable direction?
07-19-2004, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by mantis23
Adding more weight to the front can't be helping the CL's stock weight ratio of 63/37 (not sure what it is on the 6MT)
07-19-2004, 07:53 PM
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Well, I go home from my normal drive with the OAT reading 88 F and I immediately dropped the thermometer into the reservoir and... 
It was only 98 F. That is about 15 degrees cooler than it was with the previous system which used a larger transmission oil cooler. That could translate into about 2% more power (which would never be felt but hey, it didn't take much). But more importantly, when combined with the larger reservoir I will be adding this week I will have a system that resists heat soak very well which will help on the back road drives.
It was only 98 F. That is about 15 degrees cooler than it was with the previous system which used a larger transmission oil cooler. That could translate into about 2% more power (which would never be felt but hey, it didn't take much). But more importantly, when combined with the larger reservoir I will be adding this week I will have a system that resists heat soak very well which will help on the back road drives.
07-19-2004, 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mrsteve
Explain how these work and what they will do to increase efficiency of the S/C and I/C package.
I previously used a transmission oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator as the heat exchanger. After the water, which is circulated via an electric pump, leaves the IC it runs to the front of the car and through the trans cooler helping to shed some of the heat it picked up from the charge air. I went with the heater cores as I expected them to be a bit more efficient and I was correct.
By keeping the coolant temps down the charge air entering the engine will be cooler. And you know the rest...
07-20-2004, 06:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Chemmech
Nice! Any pics of the new (aluminum) reservoir?
That isn't necessarily what you get, unless it is what you want. I'm flexible either way.
I was going to get an aluminum can constructed but was persuaded not to for two reasons. Aluminum is a bitch to welded and insure that it doesn't leak. Plus it transfers heat from the engine bay well. So a plastic tank was to be made and then I was considering an aluminum cover. But that has fallen back now in favor of using the fuel cell. I can have nearly ten times the capacity with the fuel cell and spend less $$.
07-20-2004, 05:18 PM
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It wasn't a fluke, the numbers are good. Today was hotter and I was stuck in traffic the whole way. This was with a day with all sun so the roads were plenty heated. The OAT was reading 91 on the way home and when I got there I checked the IC water temp:
102 F!!!
It would have been closer to 120 F with the old cooler so I think it is confirmed that this is more efficient.
102 F!!!
It would have been closer to 120 F with the old cooler so I think it is confirmed that this is more efficient.
07-20-2004, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ModAddict
Steve, the bottom picture shows your secret, (accidental ?), ram air pick-up in front of the drivers side tire, under the bumper,....
I noticed that too... the "custom" intake
07-20-2004, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ModAddict
Steve, the bottom picture shows your secret, (accidental ?), ram air pick-up in front of the drivers side tire, under the bumper,....
This was during my custom IceBox build which did not yield the gains I desired.
07-21-2004, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ModAddict
No, below that,... it looks like the underbody guard did not get tucked inside the bumper.
Ah. I see it now. The bumper wasn't even bolted up yet.But it is now and that under body diffuser didn't prove to be worth anything in the end so I corrected it.