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Intercooler before or after the rad?

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Old 06-08-03, 06:41 PM
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Question Intercooler before or after the rad?

Hey, Im making a shroud for my rad and intercooler that will direct the air through both and then out a vent in the hood.
What Im wondering aboot is whether it matters or not if the intercooler is before or after the radiator?

Before: cooler air flowing through intercooler...

After: a LOT easier to mount and plumb...

Anyone done this or have an opinion on which would be better?

PS- car will mostly be street driven with occational track days

Thanks
Old 06-08-03, 06:43 PM
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I think most people put the intercooler in front of the rad so the air hits the IC first.
Old 06-08-03, 06:49 PM
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it has to be infront.

you'd probably be better off not even having one then having one behind. it'll just get even hoter.


wondering aboot
LMAO
Old 06-08-03, 07:02 PM
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Re: Intercooler before or after the rad?

Originally posted by Snufelupogus
wondering aboot
i think he's Canadian
Old 06-08-03, 07:11 PM
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yea scott is right....IC needs to be mounted in front....if its behind the radiator then it wouldnt do shiet....

just space them out a bit from each other.....move the radiator back a bit it would work....since theyll be spaced apart there would be good air to both
Old 06-08-03, 07:18 PM
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lol yeah Im Canadian
Can you mount the rad back further and put it on an angle? or would that mess with the flow of the coolant?
thanks
Old 06-08-03, 07:23 PM
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A lot of people do that. They move the radiator back. Doesn't affect the cooling at all (although you may want a better bigger radiator anyway since you'll have an Intercooler in front of it)
Old 06-08-03, 07:30 PM
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well here is what I did with mine last year...

http://www.1300cc.com/howto/how2/front.htm

I am having some cooling problems though... I think having the rad angled forward is better. but I doubt that's my main problem.

it's under constrution again right now so we'll see what happens next week.
Old 06-08-03, 08:08 PM
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I dont' have any pics, but I moved my rad back and mounted the intercooler right in front of it.

All I did with the rad was to buy longer mounting bolts (about 6" longer!) and some pipe that was a tiny bit bigger than the bolts, to use as spacers.
It works great.
Old 06-08-03, 08:38 PM
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put a fan behind the intercooler too i saw that in a probe GT. it's stock radiator takes up only half the width of the engine bay, then the stock intercooler takes up the other half. both had fans behind them. i thought it was a pretty cool idea to have it like that.
Old 06-08-03, 09:11 PM
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Placing the intercooler behind the radiator isn't such a great idea unless you stagger them and use appropriate ducting. Attached is a picture with some of the many options you have.
Old 06-08-03, 09:20 PM
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hey snuff you still have that 6port carby intake?
Dave
Old 06-08-03, 09:44 PM
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well, any FMIC will be lower down than a good portion of the radiator and though it will obstruct cooling a little it should not be a major major concern if your system is healthy. for street drivers the stock cooling system is fine for any NA and most TII's if it's in prime condition. for people who actually see track time a larger capacity radiator is a must on a TII, especially with an FMIC. make sure the OEM underpaneling is on the car and an easy to make (or buy) cooling panel is a good idea -the pair will make sure air goes through the radiator, not above or below it.
Old 06-08-03, 09:52 PM
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Originally posted by jon88se
well, any FMIC will be lower down than a good portion of the radiator
Any FMIC is lower down?
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/spinraci...ler/index.html
Old 06-09-03, 05:26 PM
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Thanks for all the responces...
I want to put it behind, so Ill have to think up some ducting that will give fresh air to the ic... probably will have its own intake and vent, we'll see
Old 06-09-03, 05:59 PM
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Originally posted by Snufelupogus
Thanks for all the responces...
I want to put it behind, so Ill have to think up some ducting that will give fresh air to the ic... probably will have its own intake and vent, we'll see
Helpful hint: Use cardboard to plan your project so you know that everything will fit before you purchase an expensive intercooler or radiator. Be sure to also plan on the pipe routing, and make sure that you can actually get the components in and out of the car and that non-related compents are still accessible (ship in the bottle dilemma).
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