Modifying an intercooler? Volvo FMIC too big

[zerepdivad]

Ok so i got a volvo front mount intercooler from a junkyard the other day. It's a fairly big intercooler and i was wondering if it'd be ok to cut a section of it out and weld the bottom back onto it. The reason for this is that it is too tall to fit my car. I've seen lots of cars online and whatnot where they modify junkyard intercooler and what not and i was wondering if it was a safe route to go.

thanks in advance to all those who reply.

[KATwo40]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those plastic tanks on the Volvo FMIC? Also, it's flow properties are kinda ...sad.

[crzycav86]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those plastic tanks on the Volvo FMIC? Also, it's flow properties are kinda ...sad.

We have a local guy here who's using that fmic. He ended up putting it where the radiator is, and put the radiator right behind it and used an electric fan. (I think).

I'll try to find pics of it. Let me know if you wanna get in touch with him too.

[crzycav86]

I donno if you have the same fmic as this one, but, this is how my friend mounted his large thin fmic:





It's not the best junkyard intercooler out there, but I suppose it works.

[S14tat]

wow that freaking intercooler looks like a a/c condensor. lol well if it works it works.

[zerepdivad]

Yeah that's exactly the intercooler real big and tall. actually a friend of mine has already started on the chopping phase of this intercooler the only reason i had him do it is because i know on other forums i've seen where people do it. i guess i'll let you guys know how it turns out. So what kind of setup is your friend running with that intercooler? what psi etc? and how happy is he with it?

[BlackFlag_s13]

I know that people cut truck intercoolers to utilize them on their cars...

[crzycav86]

my friend had an ssautochrome/sr t25 setup. however, he switched to a bigger intercooler, so i'm not sure if he even used that one. i just posted to show how it might work.

[Valley]

anyone ever thought of a supra side mount? DSM guys use them until the 400ish mark, and if you're worries water/alchy injection helps lots.

[morodo_s13]

thats not a volvo intercooler , that is a Saab intercooler,

[babowc]

thread jacking (so sorry)

crazycav, i see your buddy used a taurus fan..doesnt look like he used a thermo.. could you ask him how he did it or could you give me his aim/email so i could ask him?

thanks, and sorry for thread jacking.

[crzycav86]

http://www.houston240sx.com/fo...=2444

I don't know if that helps.. but.. there ya go.

[babowc]

yeah.. i read that and all, but sadly, i have a s13 and i dont have the high/low relays like the 14s do could you give me contact info for your friend?if not, thats okay too..

[crzycav86]

yeah.. i read that and all, but sadly, i have a s13 and i dont have the high/low relays like the 14s do could you give me contact info for your friend?if not, thats okay too..

Yeah I'll ask him for his info.

EDIT: I gave pm'ed him your aim and email. he should contact you sometime.

[babowc]

coolbeans..thanks

[veilside180sx]

If you switch your fan to a pusher instead of puller you can place the volvo intercooler right behind the radiator. It fits like a glove. I have a spare one still sitting in my garage from 2 yrs ago.=)

[C-Kwik]

If you switch your fan to a pusher instead of puller you can place the volvo intercooler right behind the radiator. It fits like a glove. I have a spare one still sitting in my garage from 2 yrs ago.=)

There are 2 ways I am interpreting this, and neither is a good idea. Either you are saying to put a pusher fan in front of the radiator and push the air through the radiator and then the I/C. Problem is, a radiator is going to heat up the air passing through it quite quickly. An I/C needs to try and cool the air as cool as possible. Radiators have a bit of leeway in that it only needs to shed enough from the water so that the water entering the motor can absorb enough heat from the motor to maintain a temperature. If you put the I/C behind the radiator, the intake charge will not shed as much heat as might be ideal. At off-boost conditions, it may actually absorb heat as it wille be absorbing heat from the air that had passed through the radiator.

On the other hand, if you push the air through the intercooler to the radiator, then you'll be trying to blow air to the front of the car. As you get to higher speeds, the fan will be fighting the air being pushed towards the radiator by the vehicle's movement. Not only that, the air inside the engine compartment will be hotter than the ambient air. So you're also starting with a poor source of cooling air. At some speed, the air will become stagnant and will not be flowing in either direction and thus not effectively do any cooling to either the I/C or the radiator. AS you get to higher speeds it will start forcing air past the fan, but the fan will still be offering resistance. The ideal condition is to have as much cool air flow across the I/C and radiator as possible to maximize cooling of both.

[veilside180sx]

All things i'm well aware of, but people on budgets are trying to use what they have. So compromises are made.

There are 2 ways I am interpreting this, and neither is a good idea. Either you are saying to put a pusher fan in front of the radiator and push the air through the radiator and then the I/C. Problem is, a radiator is going to heat up the air passing through it quite quickly. An I/C needs to try and cool the air as cool as possible. Radiators have a bit of leeway in that it only needs to shed enough from the water so that the water entering the motor can absorb enough heat from the motor to maintain a temperature. If you put the I/C behind the radiator, the intake charge will not shed as much heat as might be ideal. At off-boost conditions, it may actually absorb heat as it wille be absorbing heat from the air that had passed through the radiator.

On the other hand, if you push the air through the intercooler to the radiator, then you'll be trying to blow air to the front of the car. As you get to higher speeds, the fan will be fighting the air being pushed towards the radiator by the vehicle's movement. Not only that, the air inside the engine compartment will be hotter than the ambient air. So you're also starting with a poor source of cooling air. At some speed, the air will become stagnant and will not be flowing in either direction and thus not effectively do any cooling to either the I/C or the radiator. AS you get to higher speeds it will start forcing air past the fan, but the fan will still be offering resistance. The ideal condition is to have as much cool air flow across the I/C and radiator as possible to maximize cooling of both.