Screw your FMIC

[turbo23]

This goes along with the heat soaked thread, but I received my fan today, and did some cutting and mounting. I have included some pics of some different angles, sorry about the cutting, doesnt look bad, but not great, however I dont really care. The fan isnt wired yet, thats tomorrows job, Ill be directly wiring the fan to a 12v source, with a 40amp switch, and 10amp hard circuit breaker.

I decided to take the car for a drive to see if the fans position was blocking as air flow, and using my highly accurate temp probe (my hand) the fan and intercooler were both very cool, so it felt as very little airflow has been blocked.

here they are...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0431.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0432.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0433.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0434.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0436.jpg

and here is a pic of some magnets I made for this weekends autox:)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0435.jpg

[jville]

actually looks pretty good.

[turbo23]

also the fan flows at 810cfm, Im really attentive when I drive, so I listen to everything, watch everything car related (yes im alittle retentive) So during stop and go and autox, the fan will be running)

[sl0wthe0ry]

not really sure how i feel about it.

[Alejo_NIN]

wow, that looks sick
kind alooks factory installed if you squint your eyes a little

[PureDrive]

Good idea. Who cares what it looks like if it works well. Lut us know how it performs.

[lestat13]

Wow, it does almost look factory. Waiting for driving results when all hooked up!!

[edrive73]

Nah, can't say that I like it. It doesn't matter what I think though as long as it works for you.

[Ghost Rider]

Lol, sorry man but that is just ridiculous!

[hectik1]

Don't look bad......

[BOOSTR]

A+ for ingenuity. Hope it proves to be effective for you.

[UHATEIT]

surprised that fits under the hood with all the plastic ram air shit that comes under the hood. looks gangsta! I like it!

[6262MS3]

That's awesome! I always wondered if an intercooler fan would work.

[stockms3]

isnt a bad idea if it works...

[Babyface13]

Subbing to see how this works out.

[samsel450r]

sub

[Kurt07]

Let me know when you want to meet up so we can track your tempratures.

The install looks good.

[kneedragger241]

Looking forward to seeing some data on how this mod works.

A little neater on the cutting on it would look totally factory!

[bnoon]

Looks like a fun project. I hope someone can track your intake temps back to back to see just how much it helps.

By the way, you spelled "STFU" wrong on your door. (lol2)

[dmention7]

That's an interesting idea, and looks to be executed pretty well.

I'm guessing the fan wouldn't increase airflow that much (if at all) at highway speed, so the most effective test would be at idle on a warm day. Here's what I'd do.... take the car for a short spirited drive to get underhood temps up, then park with the engine running and let the IC temp level off. Then switch the fan on and see how much and how quickly the temp drops. For accurate data, you can get probably get ahold of a cheap IR thermometer ($20-40), or else some kind of surface-mounted temperature probe.

[Shane5425]

subing, had this idea a while back, but never did anything.. cant wait to see results..

Title should have been, "Screw your fmic, my idea blows!!"

[BluMicaR]

I want to see some results, that is a cool idea!!

[clos561]

very nice, where did you buy the fan and the accesories for it to work?

[astraelraen]

It looks like a good idea, my only question though is where will the heat go? Sure you can blow air around your engine bay all you want, but if its got no where to escape it won't help much.

At least on the CX7, the engine bay retains heat very well.... TOO well. After a driving home with IAT's in the 120-150F range (engine bay temp) it will seriously take 4+ hours to cool down to a reasonable temp if you park in a garage and leave the hood closed.

[marashka]

I think this is an awesome idea, and execution is not bad either. Sub for testing effectiveness.

[jville]

It looks like a good idea, my only question though is where will the heat go? Sure you can blow air around your engine bay all you want, but if its got no where to escape it won't help much.

At least on the CX7, the engine bay retains heat very well.... TOO well. After a driving home with IAT's in the 120-150F range (engine bay temp) it will seriously take 4+ hours to cool down to a reasonable temp if you park in a garage and leave the hood closed.

good point. now time for some duct tape, dryer vent tubes, 42inch swampcooler fan mounted to the undercarraige and that should take out the hot air.(first)

[aaronc7]

hahahahaha bad ass

[billyrohm]

Sub

[mckraut]

Nice, looking forward to seeing results.

Next project - VTOL MS3

[GhostMercury]

i was thinking about a similar setup. subbin like everyone else to see if it works

[RXMmazdaspeed]

isnt a bad idea if it works...

my thoughts exactly.

if you are into autox, obviously functionality is more important than the looks. and it doesn't look bad either. let us know how it performs.

[LBV]

Looks pretty good.

2 questions:

a - when you're at a light will you be blowing down towards the IC or out towards the ducting?

b - would that have worked if u just mounted it to the top underside of the hood?

[blue-sun]

I had dual puller fans on my MR2.

They were a bit on the loudside, but functional!

http://blue-sun.net/Pics/BerkVacume/BerkVacume-Images/4.jpg

[3.slow]

I assume it is pushing air toward the tmic. It might decrease temps even more if you spray water as well. Post the Results!!!!

[lestat13]

I had dual puller fans on my MR2.

They were a bit on the loudside, but functional!

http://blue-sun.net/Pics/BerkVacume/BerkVacume-Images/4.jpg

That's HOT!

[mrjoshyman]

sub

[blue-sun]

That's HOT!

Thanks! She was an awesome car, just she never got driven really. I had the Protege MP3 for 16-17 months and put almost 40k on her in that time and in the 4+ years I had the MR2 (1 year NA as my only car/daily driver then 3 years swapped + a DD) I barely put 25K on her and only 15k or so after the swap.

Here's exterior pics:

http://blue-sun.net/Details/MR2/MR2-Images/1.jpg

http://blue-sun.net/Details/MR2/MR2-Images/2.jpg

http://blue-sun.net/Details/MR2/MR2-Images/7.jpg

[turbo23]

Thanks for the input guys, Ill be wiring the fan up after dinner so I will include a video of the fan running. The fan will be blowing down, since sucking up would just be pulling hot air through the IC. Im hoping things work out nicely. Update tonight!

[ericrapp]

cool cool subbed

[turbo23]

Okie....I hard wired up the fan as I stated before, using aircraft grade electronics. 40amp switch with a 10amp hard circuit breaker, wired directly to the battery so Im able to turn the fan on even when the car is off (mostly for autox cool down)

As for the fan itself, the fan pulls great! It even pulls enough to cuase some suction when the hood is closed. Im able to put my hand in front of the mazda emblem and feel the pull. Unfortunately, I wont have any numbers for alittle bit, so youll just have to take my word as for how well the fan works. Since its late I wasnt able to shoot a video, so youll have to wait till tomorrow.I even let the car sit for alittle, and everything close to the fan was cool with the fan running. For those who want to try the mod:

Here is the fan http://www.the-fan-man.com/shop/size-push-part-0365-p-195.html?cPath=33

and switch and breakers can be found from www.hrpworld.com I would recommend for those of you who are not race oriented drivers to just use a relay setup, it would be alittle bit cheaper since the switch and breaker cost me close to $60.

Im satisfied with how the fan turned out, Ill probably go back and trim the shroud alittle better when I have the time. So for those who are iffy about the craftsmanship, well so am I, and it bothers me:)

Anyway here are 2 pics of my switch and breaker
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0437.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/DSCN0438.jpg

[turbo23]

The reason i wasnt able to get a vid for all of you....a nail in my brand spankin 3 day old kumhos, wtf

[3.slow]

You gonna spray water too?

[bnoon]

It looks like a good idea, my only question though is where will the heat go? Sure you can blow air around your engine bay all you want, but if its got no where to escape it won't help much.

At least on the CX7, the engine bay retains heat very well.... TOO well. After a driving home with IAT's in the 120-150F range (engine bay temp) it will seriously take 4+ hours to cool down to a reasonable temp if you park in a garage and leave the hood closed.

The fan will pull in cooler outside air through the factory ducting and go out the bottom of the engine bay. I would venture to guess that with the fan running it would cool off quicker with the hood closed than it would without the fan and the hood open. It doesn't even have to cool off the whole engine bay, just the intercooler... that's got to be enough for a HP difference at low vehicle speeds or just off idle. Now, get this running on a better flowing core, then you've really got something!

[turbo23]

I thought of spraying water, but i decided against it, for the fan option. I think water is a great idea, however, I didnt want to have to deal with the whole water crap. This is nice and easy flip of switch. I noticed today I had alittle more pop driving at low speeds in traffic. Normally the car does feel sluggish, due to the heat soak. After I got home, I lifted the hood and....hot engine bay, but cool IC.

[turbo23]

here is a vid, not really exciting, but a vid none the less
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/th_DSCN0441.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/?action=view&current=DSCN0441.flv)

[Babyface13]

WOW that thing BLOWS!!!

[jaydubz]

I truly have to give you credit I have been sitting here looking up water sprayers and it is a real credit to you to go forward with your idea. I still think I want to pursue the water mister to truly help the intercooler but brilliant idea!

[lestat13]

Driving impressions?????

Data from dashhawk etc????

I'm VERY excited to see what happens! :D

[turbo23]

Ill try to get some dashhawk results within the next 2 weeks. Im sorry i dont have any more data. Im pleased with the results as of the moment.

[Shane5425]

does it pull a suction from the front grill when hood is closed?

[turbo23]

yup. its not like tornado style suction, but you can feel it pulling air from the outside

[Kurt07]

Ill try to get some dashhawk results within the next 2 weeks. Im sorry i dont have any more data. Im pleased with the results as of the moment.

I look foward to see the results from the testing.

[Shane5425]

what fan is that?

[UHATEIT]

is this something that can simply be connected to a power source off the ignition to STAY ON while the car is on and turn off when the car is off? That would mean it would be running at all times on the streets, while stopped, adn on the freeway. Would that be a BAD thing to have it running all the time? If not, they I'd hook one up and not do a switch if its ok to leave on all the time

[Shane5425]

idealy , the best would be to hook up to a temp sensor and have it come on a a certain temp. having it run all the time will put a bad load on the altenator and battery

[ztuner]

use this controller

http://www.spalusa.com/fans/automated/accessories/fanpwm.html

Works very well

Harry

[clos561]

thats pretty badass

[Hyun]

props

[CWPspeed3]

Thats pretty interesting, what would be more effective, a fan such as that or an IC sprayer?

[jville]

Thats pretty interesting, what would be more effective, a fan such as that or an IC sprayer?

fan is more reliable, and nothing to refill. plus nothing dripping onto the electronis under the IC. Maybe a light spray when temps are up there so it will evaporate immediately.

[ericrapp]

Turbo23, I really have to say I am very proud of you for bringing an old school hot rod method and using it to resolve a very real issue with our top mounted ICs. I was at a car show today and saw a couple of really old hot rods that had fans hooked up same as you, forcing the air through the radiator. some had two fans! Good shit 23! thanks for doing the experiment and sharing with all of us!

[ztuner]

Thats pretty interesting, what would be more effective, a fan such as that or an IC sprayer?

both especially if you use a fine mist with 50 50 alchy. Evaporates on contact :) I have used that setup on 300zx's sucessfully and intake temps dropped quite a bit . On a top mount setup a fan would help with heat soak significantly. You still have the issue of the top mount being very restrictive though.

Harry

[tru-boost]

GHETTO !! and it wont do too much of anything to be honest. just like the fans at a dyno shop. it will never move enough air at enough speed to keep it "cool" it will prevent horrible heat soak i guess, but it also is now a huge restiction for real airflow that covers about 75% of the cooling surface of your intercooler. take it off and buy a co2 sprayer if you have to. there is a reason nobody has done this.

[turbo23]

er blocking air flow, well it doesnt really do that, IC feels exactly the same. And as for doing nothing, I can sit in traffic with the fan on, and have a nice cool IC, even with the engine bay very hot. Most dyno fans actually work quite well, especially when tuning my Rx7 which needs air for oil and coolant temps more then anything! Alot of old school rally cars did it, and the reason why alot of people havent done this....not many cars have the top mount. Sure a wrx does, buts its tiny. CO2 works well, but you just cant keep a continuous flow of CO2 blowing on the IC all the time.

The fan worked great during the autox today. Alot of people loved the idea, and a couple evo guys want to install one in their hood vents to draw out the hot air. I would say 810cfm is a pretty darn good air flow, the air coming out the other side is very strong. So take it or leave it, Ill keep the fan.

Just a comment. The screws that hold the motor together for the fan do rub alittle on the hood, which only started happening during the autox today, Im assuming from the harsh throttle inputs causing the motor to move. I may eventually try to mod the underside of the hood to allow for more room, but air being pushed in will go right about the fan motor.

[astraelraen]

Is that a stock TMIC? If so, I assume this would not work with an ETS because of the thicker core and less clearance?

[turbo23]

ya stock IC, any other and it wouldnt work. So for those who want to keep the stock IC, this is your "upgrade"

[souper]

if you dehumidify that 810 cfm you could cool a small apartment :p

someone should figure out how to re-work the AC ducting to the intercooler...

[3.slow]

if you dehumidify that 810 cfm you could cool a small apartment :p

someone should figure out how to re-work the AC ducting to the intercooler...

That is genious! Run the a/c ducting to the intake. Suffer for the sake of performance.

[lestat13]

if you dehumidify that 810 cfm you could cool a small apartment :p

someone should figure out how to re-work the AC ducting to the intercooler...

I want to say I read a car magazine article or Q+A a few years ago that said that at least on n/a cars the ammount of power it takes to run the a/c is more than power gained by trying to cool the intake charge.

Now if you try the same principal with fi and an intercooler, it might work. I still think the cooling charge would not be worth the parasitic engine loss from working the a/c system. Spray (CO2, N20, etc) ftw!

[J-Villa]

Turbo23, I really have to say I am very proud of you for bringing an old school hot rod method and using it to resolve a very real issue with our top mounted ICs. I was at a car show today and saw a couple of really old hot rods that had fans hooked up same as you, forcing the air through the radiator. some had two fans! Good shit 23! thanks for doing the experiment and sharing with all of us!

all cars have fans on the radiators. Alot of old muscle cars use eletric fans b/c they have crate motors that don't work really well with their old engine fan and usualy don't have the clearance to run a fan like that.

Off road is a big advocate of eletric fans. Running them on radiators in the beds of trucks like on tough truck racing and rock crawlers, etc.

Great idea on the fan. i like how you can switch it on and off when the car is off. So you can blow all the hot air out of the bay quicker.

But dang that thing is loud in that video. haha

[robin2660]

ya stock IC, any other and it wouldnt work. So for those who want to keep the stock IC, this is your "upgrade"

Is that the thinnest fan you can get?

[dkswim]

subbn

[turbo23]

that is the thinnest fan I have found that flows that much. It would be hard to beat what spal puts out for fans. Im also thinking of mounting a metal plate behind the IC. Not directly behind it, but over the turbo heat shield. The metal heat shield would be coated in gold heat tape, and its main goal to prevent alot of the direct heat thats throwin from turbo at the IC. It should be simple, and effective. I would also like to raise the rear of the hood, by perhaps running some foam around the IC shroud to make sure there is still contact with the hood. Also removing the weather stripping at that time. I know alot of 3rd gen rx7 owners, and 2nd gen owners that have seen great results with this. However contrary to what most people beleive, at speeds it would not release hot air, it sucks in air. But during stop and go driving, heat would be release from the rear of the hood.

[Shane5425]

bad idea... the turbo would overheat..
the air that flows through the IC, then goes to cool turbo..

[turbo23]

er are turbos are water cooled. It would take a MASSIVE amount of air, and some engineering to cool the turbo via air. Very little of that air would actually reach the turbo, and is blocked by the heat shield anyways. here is a pic of my FC rx7, notice the heat blanket, I have ZERO air being forced on that turbo. So there would be no effect from blocking air. http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/100_4044.jpg

[jville]

er are turbos are water cooled. It would take a MASSIVE amount of air, and some engineering to cool the turbo via air. Very little of that air would actually reach the turbo, and is blocked by the heat shield anyways. here is a pic of my FC rx7, notice the heat blanket, I have ZERO air being forced on that turbo. So there would be no effect from blocking air. http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/PandaFC/100_4044.jpg

+1 our turbos are water cooled so air is little or non efective on temp. This is also the reason a turbo timer is not necessary on our cars, just a quick idle b4 cut of.

[Shane5425]

i stand corrected... should be cool then..

[Kynetx]

This is a brilliant little mod. Nice work.

[invertedcharlie]

turbo23, how is the fan working still, any difference when driving at high speed like 100+mph, any new data

[Oxymoron]

turbo23, how is the fan working still, any difference when driving at high speed like 100+mph, any new data

Theoretically there would be no difference at 100mph. This mod is to eliminate heat soak while the car is at a stand still. There is already a shit ton of air passing through the TMIC at speed.

[rosskoss]

That video was actually exciting! Very nice mod.

[turbo23]

No updates, fan still works, I use it alot when sitting in traffic. Its doing exactly what I want it to do:) I also raised the rear of my hood. Im not sure if at higher speeds its causing a vaccum or releasing air, that I will have to test. But I know after driving my engine bay isnt ridiculously hot like it used to be, and I can watch the heat come out when the car is off and cooling down.