Stupid Question number 2

[DONWORK]

So it's a well-known fact that Mazda was taking a hit off of Subaru's crack pipe when they decided to mount an intercooler on top of a heat source. Until someone comes up with a commercially viable front mount intercooler kit, we are stuck with trying to improve the efficiency of what we have. Either by Nitrous spray bars ($400 for the kit plus refills), by Co2 (not good to have Co2 in an engine compartment) or with water spray kits. Now keep in mind, this post is a result of a "what-if" moment, but has anyone looked at a slim-profile, high output (1500 cfm or so) pusher-type electric cooling fan mounted to the top of the intercooler? It would be simple enough to to, i'm just curious about possible gains, if any.

I have seen recent adds for intercoolers with ports for Co2 on the end tanks. Supposedly for the Co2 to help cool the air exiting the intercooler. I've sent a couple emails requesting information but have yet to hear back.

So...thoughts? Ideas?

[jonny_sin]

well i would just upgrade the stock top mount to the ets top mount as it is a big diffrence in heat exchang and heat soak is no where as viable as in the stock intercooler..now i am in the process of custom making an fmic for my cx-7 with help from other sources in the business.. if everything comes out as expected i am planning on producing 10 more kits to go up for sale. but still in the testing.

[wwest]

The very first thing I would do is mount about 4 of those relatively inexpensive 12 volt computer "boxer" (5"X1") fans (solid state power "commutation" ball bearing type) on top of the intercooler blowing/forcing airflow downward. Since heat rises I would always would run the fans but at low speed, each two in series, and only go to full speed as boost is begins to rise.

[wwest]

Has anyone considered adding a second refrigerant evaporator to the existing A/C system..??

Select a relatively thin evaporator to mount over the existing intercooler..??

Most modern day minivans have a second evaporator for cooling the rear.

[Mazda3]

The very first thing I would do is mount about 4 of those relatively inexpensive 12 volt computer "boxer" (5"X1") fans (solid state power "commutation" ball bearing type) on top of the intercooler blowing/forcing airflow downward. Since heat rises I would always would run the fans but at low speed, each two in series, and only go to full speed as boost is begins to rise.

There's no room for any of this stuff.

[Shadow102]

The very first thing I would do is mount about 4 of those relatively inexpensive 12 volt computer "boxer" (5"X1") fans (solid state power "commutation" ball bearing type) on top of the intercooler blowing/forcing airflow downward. Since heat rises I would always would run the fans but at low speed, each two in series, and only go to full speed as boost is begins to rise.

I think I would fall on the ground laughing if I saw somebody with that on their top mount. It would hinder more than help the issue.

A simple fix to all of this is to simply run meth/water injection. I have actually seen a couple modified turbo cars run just meth injection in place of an intercooler.

[DONWORK]

I would have to snicker at the computer fans as well but the meth injection sounds like a good idea. A good 1500 cfm fan runs for about $150..and the injection kits arent THAT much more. Hmmmm...time for a little more research.

[SuperStretch18]

There are actually a lot of guys running meth injection on MS3's and MS6's. Here's a couple of places to start:

http://www.alcohol-injection.com/water-injection-kits-1/mazda-50/mazdaspeed-3-6-276.html

http://www.pt-performance.com/showProduct.php?vID=3&cID=3&pID=186

[rnjmur]

The very first thing I would do is mount about 4 of those relatively inexpensive 12 volt computer "boxer" (5"X1") fans (solid state power "commutation" ball bearing type) on top of the intercooler blowing/forcing airflow downward. Since heat rises I would always would run the fans but at low speed, each two in series, and only go to full speed as boost is begins to rise.

The other problem with this is that, like you said, heat rises. If you blow air DOWN on to the IC you will be blowing the hottest air onto the IC. You would want the fans to blow AWAY from the IC to draw the cooler air in. Also, If you blow the air down onto the IC you would be trying to force air against the flow of the radiator fans which is not going to work, you will cause a heat pocket in the IC in turn raising the intake air tempuratures.

[wwest]

No, blowing down would draw relatively cool air from the standard intake and COOL the compressed atmosphere within the inetrcooler while simultaneously forcing the HOT engine heat downward and away from the intercooler. As it is currently with no intercooler "forced" airflow due to forward motion the intercooler just gets hotter and HOTTER due to upward convection airflow plus the radiant heating effects, both due to the HOT engine lying underneath.

[Mazda3]

(screwy)

[Alpha Wolf]

TMIC are done for packaging (ie easy of assembly of the car and engine) and to be less prone to damage.

Not for max power. But since this is not my race car I just went with a 3" ETS TMIC. Yes there is a noticeable improvement. Where the stock TMIC was too hot to touch the ETS is cool to the touch when I park. I am sure stopped it will heat soak too. But once moving it fed from the grilles ram air and down and under the car drawing the hot air off.

It works nice and is a 10 minute installation.