Overheating

[wga240]

Ok, since I installed my FMIC I noticed my car is running hotter than before. The stock temperature gauge hasn't moved, but today it was in the mid 80s outside and after driving it pretty hard I pulled over to see the coolant level in my overflow resorvoir higher than usual, my 2nd electric fan on (which runs off the stock RB20 radiator thermostat and used to NEVER come on), and a few signs that the coolant was actually leaking out of the overflow resorvoir. I'm not sure if it was leaking because it started to boil or if it was just leaking because it's higher than usual and I have a tiny hole somewhere in that 13 year old resorvoir.

I've got a few questions...

1) Does anyone know what temperature the stock R32 radiator thermostat opens at? That would give me a pretty good indication of how hot my water temp actually was.

2) Up until now I've just been using 2 of the small 12" stock A/C Condenser fans to cool my motor. And really I've only been using one since the second was wired to the thermostat and was never opening until I installed the FMIC. I've since ordered 1 perma-cool 12" high performance fan to replace one of the A/C condenser fans. Do you guys think this will be enough to keep my engine cool, or should I go ahead and buy another and just wire them both to run all the time?

[PROJECTRB240SX]

YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT THE PERMA-COOL HIGH PERFORMANCE 14" IT PUSHES 2950 CFM WHICH IS ALMOST QUADRUPLE WHAT THE CONDENSER FANS PUSH.

[wga240]

Yeah I wanted the 14" but I didn't see any place at all the put the thing. I can't mount it as a puller because it says it is 3-3/4" deep and I don't have that much space between my radiator and my motor. I also can't mount it as a pusher because it takes a 14" by 14" mounting area and even though the radiator core is about 15" tall the 12" condenser fan I have in there right now is almost too tall, so I don't see how a 14" could fit.

If this single 12" isn't enough I'll just order another one and have them both run all the time. That should keep it from overheating, hopefully.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

DO YOU HAVE A/C? IF NOT IT DOESN'T NEED TO TOUCH THE RADIATOR, MOUNT IT IN THE AREA THE CONDENSER SAT.

[wga240]

Nah I don't have A/C. But I thought because the fans didn't have shrouds, they were designed to be mounted directly to the radiator? In any case, if one 12" isn't enough I can just buy a second one and have more cooling with 2 12" fans than one 14" fan (since I couldn't possibly fit a 12" and a 14", at least not on the same side of the radiator)

[PROJECTRB240SX]

THE RADIATOR IS 14.75" X 26.5" YOU CAN FIT A 14" AND A 10" THE 14" FAN ALSO PUSHES SO MUCH MORE AIR ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY. 2950CFM IS LIKE A TORNADO FOR YOUR RADIATOR, PLUS IF YOU NEED BETTER COOLING UPGRADE TO A TWO CORE OR THREE CORE.

[wga240]

Yeah I know the radiator's core area is big enough to support a 14" fan on the motor side, but I just don't have the depth. My crank pulleys and cam angle sensor and intercooler piping all get in the way over there. On the bumper side of the radiator, some of the radiator core area on top is unusable for mounting because of that big metal support and wiring that are right there..

If you have fitted a 14" fan on the front side of the radiator I'd like to see some pics just to see how you did it. I could be wrong in saying it won't fit, but it sure doesn't appear one would.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

I'LL HAVE PICS OF EVERYTHING I'VE DONE SO FAR HOPEFULLY BY NEXT WEEK.

[hashiriya13]

I have a 14" and a 12" mounted on the front of my radiator. They will fit. The 12" hangs off the side of the radiator about a half inch. I will try yo remember to post pics tonight.

[JeffTN]

I have a 14" and a 12" mounted on the front of my radiator. They will fit. The 12" hangs off the side of the radiator about a half inch. I will try yo remember to post pics tonight.

How much space is between your FMIC and rad?

[PROJECTRB240SX]

I HAVE 6 INCHES BETWEEN MY IC AND RADIATOR. THE ONLY THING REALLY IN THE WAY IS THE HOOD LATCH SUPPORT BRACKET.

[hashiriya13]

Sorry I forgot about the pics last night try to get them tonight. Anyway I am not sure how much room between (never measured) but there is some room.

[hashiriya13]

Here are some pics of the Koyo radiator and my fans. Its hard to get good pics of the fans so its the best I can do. I have more pics in the link in my sig.

[wga240]

Well I guess a 14" can fit then I got my 12" perma-cool installed today and so far haven't seen my backup fan switch on yet. However I may have the backup fan run all the time since right now one side of radiator is actually quite a bit cooler than the other, at least at idle.

I also took the time to totally insulate my pod filter in a box made out of aluminum and some insulated duct wrap stuff from Home Depot. Then I routed cold air up to the pod filter from the front bumper, and after a hard drive my pod filter is cold to the touch. Before doing this it would almost burn me if I touched the metal part. Very worthwile mod

[AREITU]

To the people with the unshrouded push fans, you've never had a problem with overheating? I'm going to be running AC as well as driving around (carefully) in 100+ degree weather during some parts of the year and overheating on an engine not exactly sold or servicable in the US isn't a good thing.