Just a thought. It would be much easier to grab a little air and flow it over the IC and an IC would shed heat much better than a crossover even without extra air flow.

Cheers, Jon

 

 

suggesting mounting the i/c behind the radiator, in engine bay. hmm

I suppose technically you're correct, although the purpose of mounting it in the front of the car is to "exchange" the heat out of the system. Now your suggestion would work on the first pull as the i/c pulled some heat out, but the heat would have nowhere to go and the i/c would heatsoak.

On the 10 pull, or after sitting in traffic, the "heat exchanger" would be more like a air heater, lol. Basicaly the opposite of what you want.

Getting sufficient airflow through the i/c is the only way it might work, assuming the i/c itself wouldn't just heat up to underhood temps and stay there.

Go frontmount.

 

I know it wouldn't be anywhere near as efficient as mounting it in front, but I'm only running about 5 psi anyway. I was thinking of this mostly as a intermediate step to replace my blown crossover while I fiddle with the tubing to get it out in front.

I'm thinking an 18 x 6 x 2.5 core would fit there okay...


Jon

 

you can get an ebay special 12x18x3 for cheap that will fit with a/c.

 

Well, don't get me wrong I think it's cool to try.

Do you guys think the intercooler would heat up to underhood temps? It might not.

Depending on the airflow in the engine compartment (?), which I have no idea about, it might be able to repeatedly cool the charged air.

 

I'm thinking of trying it just so I can tell everyone if it works to any degree or not...

12 x 18 x 3? I was thinking of something that would serve as a large portion of the crossover like the the 25 * 6.5 * 3 (outer dimensions) and get it down below and behind the radiator for some air flow. I'd also thought of rigging some flexible PVC pipe from the nose to blow air across the IC.

No way I think this is optimal, but it would be pretty darn easy to do.

Jon

 

ohhh. it sounds like a very bad idea. no airflow and major heatsoak. It could possibly results in intake temps equal or greater than a just a crossover tube. Might just wanna do a air/water intercooler if your going to put it in that spot.

 

Actually, there is a fair amount of airflow where it drops down behind the radiator. Exactly how hot does it get in the engine compartment anyway.

I was also thinking of wiring the fans as always-on.

Jon

 

Just make sure the intercooler you buy will work for your frontmount setup if you decide you dislike this arrangement.

I think the investment would be little, and probably worth it "just to see." But, trying to improve upon the less than optimal setup sounds like as much work as just routing the front-mount in the first place.

 

While heat flow is important its the temp of the heat flow that matters too. I would rather have less flow at lower temp than greater flow at a higher temp (after the radiator)

 

Is there an IC that wouldn't work in a front-mount? I'll most likely put it in front anyway...

Cheers, Jon

 

I guess there are fitment issues. Did anyone ever decide what the largest is that will fit with AC?

Jon

 

yes.

 

Yeah, that was sorta' dumb. I could probably find one bigger than a Miata if I looked hard enough.

Would 25" total width work with AC? Anyone?

Jon