Ok, i have never owned nor worked on a turbo car so dont think I am retarted for asking this. But is it possible to put a FMIC on a n/a engine. i dont see why it wouldnt be if it is just a more effiecient radiator but i always see them sold, advertised, and put on turbo vehicles. I only ask because my radiator is damaged and i was looking for a replacement and came across a decently priced noname fmic. I figure it cant be any worse at cooling my car than the stock radiator so i would go for it if i can put it on my 91 n/a engine. Thanks in advance for any help.
wpgrexx
11-16-04 03:28 PM
no you can't use it. It is an air to air heat exchanger meant for pressurized applications. You need a radiator. they are meant for water
BklynRX7
11-16-04 03:30 PM
Oh soo it cools the air used for a turbo while the radiator in my car cools coolant. Thanks alot, for the quick answer and not flaming me.
Kingofl337
11-16-04 03:30 PM
Goto the parts forum. You should find what you need there. For around $50
DEZERTE
11-16-04 03:52 PM
Wow.
ilike2eatricers
11-16-04 06:02 PM
Originally Posted by I EAT CIVICS
I figure it cant be any worse at cooling my car than the stock radiator so i would go for it if i can put it on my 91 n/a engine.
It can be worse because it may block a lot of the air going to the radiator.
Parastie
11-16-04 06:07 PM
Originally Posted by Kingofl337
Goto the parts forum. You should find what you need there. For around $50
I was just going to congradulate you guys for handling this so maturely, w/o flaming. lol
Evil Aviator
11-16-04 07:25 PM
Originally Posted by I EAT CIVICS
Ok, i have never owned nor worked on a turbo car so dont think I am retarted for asking this. But is it possible to put a FMIC on a n/a engine. i dont see why it wouldnt be if it is just a more effiecient radiator but i always see them sold, advertised, and put on turbo vehicles. I only ask because my radiator is damaged and i was looking for a replacement and came across a decently priced noname fmic. I figure it cant be any worse at cooling my car than the stock radiator so i would go for it if i can put it on my 91 n/a engine. Thanks in advance for any help.
Actually, you CAN use the intercooler as a radiator if you run your engine coolant through it. The only problem is that the intercooler is designed for air, not liquid. This means that its internal and external design is not as well suited to cool liquid, or to flow liquid, and it may even leak. Also, an intercooler doesn't have a drain or bleed valve, and you will need special adapters to attach your engine radiator hoses to it. Basically, it is not worth the trouble, even though it may work.
An intercooler can be used to get better performance from an NA engine. However, a regular air-air intercooler would not work because the air hitting the intercooler would not be any cooler than the air normally entering the engine. For example, how much is 80deg air going to cool 80deg air? None. You would need some type of super-cooling effect, such as dry ice, nitrogen, CO2, etc., to make the intercooler cooler than the outside air temperature. Once again, this is not usually worth the trouble on an NA, but it would work, especially in hot climates.
An effective intercooler does add to the cooling of the engine. Any time you remove heat from the system, there is less load on the radiator, oil cooler, or other engine cooling devices. However, cooling the intake air of an engine will never take the place of a radiator.
