Does anyone use fuel coolers in their fuel system? I was wondering how much they actually do. I would think it would aid in preventing vapour lock right? If you all have one post up some pics. I am sure I am not the only one that is interested.

Santiago

 

You talking like a "cold can"?

 

I haven't seen anyone use them personally, but I've seen them used in plenty of race fd's. Everything gets hot with an fd even in cars producing mild hp numbers. A good example is apexi's latest drift fd, I think it's around 350hp, it has fuel coolers.

 

do fuel coolers help prevent detonation by giving the fuel more heat capacity when it atomizes into the chamber, and reducing chamber temps?

 

that's what I've been told.... I don't know if it really helps much in real-world applications.

 

It's useful on a race car where you're trying to squeeze every last hp. On a street car it's a waste of money.

 

Those are mostly for drag racing. Also available are small "radiators". Typically, they are 6 AN metal hose forming an S shape through about 6" of metal fins.

Hotter fuel atomizes more easily, which is good for horsepower, but it also raises the total charge temps, which is bad for horsepower (and risk of detonation). You would not see much of a gain using one, they are mainly for racing use only.

I have NEVER heard of vpour lock occuring on an FC. Don't fix a problem that doesn't exist.

And lastly... your best bet for controlling fuel temps is to use a fuel pump voltage controller. Aeromtoive sells a nice billet piece that allows you to vary voltage via several load inputs. This is a good idea for higher volume pumps or low fuel amounts as the cycling of fuel through the fuel pump and system and back into the tank will add heat to the fuel. Really, though, you need to be pumping over 500 lph before this becomes necessary.

 

I wanted to know if they are functional. Thanks anyway.

 

for street = useless

 

Is there a "set" temperature which is a good compromise between atomization and protecting against pre-ignition? This would be cool to know that way if I can rig up a temp guage to the fuel system I could see how hot it gets while at the track or cruising.

 

It does occur, that's why all EFI rotaries have the Hot Start Assist System. It's caused by heat soak "boiling" the fuel in the rails after shutdown.

Of course a fuel cooler is totally useless in this situation.

 

We made our own fuel coolers for our sprint cars. And a few for motorcycles. we took a cylinder peice of billet and machined fins on it and drilled a proper size hole down the center then just made then ends the right size for the tubing and flanged them so there was no way the hose could slide off.... worked great.

 

Fuel injector higher fuel rail pressure prevents vapor lock from occuring.


-Ted