How far to space FMIC from radiator?
How far to space FMIC from radiator? I am in the middle of a single turbo 5.3 build. I am currently installing a large FMIC and radiator. The FMIC covers about 75% of the radiator. Is there a good distance to keep the FMIC from the radiator? I could either have them in close proximity (with rubber gasket between), or leave an air gap. My thinking is that having a gap (maybe 1" or so), would allow the puller fans behind the radiator to pull air more easily without having to have the air travel through the restrictive intercooler. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
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Joined: Oct 2020
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I'm no boost expert, but I know about cooling systems. Are you talking about literally installing the FMIC directly in front of the factory positioned radiator.......where the A/C condenser is normally factory located?
Where is the factory "shroud", did you remove that? Not a good idea to remove that.
Also, what do you mean about putting a rubber gasket inbetween the FMIC and the radiator......do you mean the entire surface or just around the edges/outer borders of both items? If it covers the entire surface you're DOOMED.
Why not put the FMIC in the front bumper like everyone else does, then it won't be anywhere near the radiator.
Where is the factory "shroud", did you remove that? Not a good idea to remove that.
Also, what do you mean about putting a rubber gasket inbetween the FMIC and the radiator......do you mean the entire surface or just around the edges/outer borders of both items? If it covers the entire surface you're DOOMED.
Why not put the FMIC in the front bumper like everyone else does, then it won't be anywhere near the radiator.
Myself I would keep it away from the radiator if room, radiant heat from the rad. I try and uncover as much of the rad. as possible to help cooling, but they gotta go where they gotta go sometimes, lol.
"My thinking is that having a gap (maybe 1" or so), would allow the puller fans behind the radiator to pull air more easily without having to have the air travel through the restrictive intercooler. "
Why would you not want the fan to pull thru the ic?
When designing a FI cooling system, it's necessary to size the components, to handle the added heat load created by the ic.
Failure to pull sufficient air volume thru an air to air ic, makes it very inefficient.
A 1" gap is sufficient to allow the system to work, assuming the other components are correctly sized.
Why would you not want the fan to pull thru the ic?
When designing a FI cooling system, it's necessary to size the components, to handle the added heat load created by the ic.
Failure to pull sufficient air volume thru an air to air ic, makes it very inefficient.
A 1" gap is sufficient to allow the system to work, assuming the other components are correctly sized.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 269
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"My thinking is that having a gap (maybe 1" or so), would allow the puller fans behind the radiator to pull air more easily without having to have the air travel through the restrictive intercooler. "
Why would you not want the fan to pull thru the ic?
When designing a FI cooling system, it's necessary to size the components, to handle the added heat load created by the ic.
Failure to pull sufficient air volume thru an air to air ic, makes it very inefficient.
A 1" gap is sufficient to allow the system to work, assuming the other components are correctly sized.
Why would you not want the fan to pull thru the ic?
When designing a FI cooling system, it's necessary to size the components, to handle the added heat load created by the ic.
Failure to pull sufficient air volume thru an air to air ic, makes it very inefficient.
A 1" gap is sufficient to allow the system to work, assuming the other components are correctly sized.
Last edited by Cant_die_LOL; Apr 17, 2021 at 09:34 AM.
Thanks everyone for your comments. This is going into a 1976 Datsun 280z. I have 3200cfm dual brushless 12" fans with a full shroud on the engine side of the radiator. I'm sure the fans can pull air through the IC but was wondering if it's better to leave a gap. And lol to the suggestion that the rubber gasket would totally cover the entire area between the rad and IC.
You will have better, more efficient overall results with little or no gap. If you look at any factory setup, you will see they stack them basically up against each other, and put a small foam strip to pad minor movement. Ideally, you want the only path for airflow to only be allowed to travel through the intercooler/condenser/radiator.
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Verdad Gallardo Not in front, more like just sealing off the area all around it.
Just thinking out loud, most folks run puller fan(s) setups behind the radiator, I have wondered why folks don't run an extra fan in between the radiator and the FMIC to help move the area, like a very slim fan.
Just thinking out loud, most folks run puller fan(s) setups behind the radiator, I have wondered why folks don't run an extra fan in between the radiator and the FMIC to help move the area, like a very slim fan.
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You will have better, more efficient overall results with little or no gap. If you look at any factory setup, you will see they stack them basically up against each other, and put a small foam strip to pad minor movement. Ideally, you want the only path for airflow to only be allowed to travel through the intercooler/condenser/radiator.
Not in front, more like just sealing off the area all around it.
Just thinking out loud, most folks run puller fan(s) setups behind the radiator, I have wondered why folks don't run an extra fan in between the radiator and the FMIC to help move the area, like a very slim fan.
Just thinking out loud, most folks run puller fan(s) setups behind the radiator, I have wondered why folks don't run an extra fan in between the radiator and the FMIC to help move the area, like a very slim fan.
Thanks everyone for your comments. This is going into a 1976 Datsun 280z. I have 3200cfm dual brushless 12" fans with a full shroud on the engine side of the radiator. I'm sure the fans can pull air through the IC but was wondering if it's better to leave a gap. And lol to the suggestion that the rubber gasket would totally cover the entire area between the rad and IC.
Thanks everyone. I definitely understand that whatever isn't sealed to the fans will not draw air through. I know this is very important for the radiator. I thought that most of the cooling for a FMIC was from the air blowing through it while the car is moving. At standstill, the coolant is still hot and needs to be cooled but the IATs don't. I had thought (perhaps wrong) that you wouldn't want the radiator fans pulling through the IC since it would be that much harder to pull air and thus reducing the cooling of the radiator itself.
The fins on the IC usually aren't as dense as on a radiator either which would promote airflow through to the radiator.
You might also want to start looking at having a way to turn the fans off at freeway speeds (40-50mph+) as the fans can become a restriction at that point provided you have the airflow.
You might also want to start looking at having a way to turn the fans off at freeway speeds (40-50mph+) as the fans can become a restriction at that point provided you have the airflow.