how do you keep your fd running cool?

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Oct 25, 2005 | 07:06 PM

#51

jic

volk racing

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: bay area

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamonB

Galvanized tin from the hardware store. It is cheap and weatherproof.

My ducts seal the inlet to the sides of the condensor and radiator. Much more efficient than just stuffing something in the gap between the radiator and chassis. I'll take better pics next time I have the belly pan off.

The duct on the driver side has a hole in it for the power steering line to pass through. They are simple flat shapes that are mounted under the screws of the a/c condensor and extend down into the belly ban.

yeah that pic isnt that great, but was mounting the tin a pain in the *** or do you fabricate your own way to bolt it in next to the radiator?

Oct 25, 2005 | 07:37 PM

#52

DaleClark

RX-7 Bad Ass

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From: Pensacola, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamonB

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleClark

IMHO the KEY to having a good cooling setup on the FD is *proper fan control*

Fans only dominate when stopped and at low speeds though. What really matters is how much heat the cooling system is capable of shedding into the airstream and a higher ratio of water and ducting of the radiator inlet makes for a much more efficient heat exchanger than merely actuating the fans at lower temps. This is profoundly illustrated when driving the car hard under nearly constant boost.

But, I would say the majority of FD owners drive their car on the street. Before the fan controller, I could EASILY get over 100 deg. C in stop and go traffic. The FC thermoswitch helps this a BUNCH, but routinely (day in, day out) running the car that hot just isn't good for anything. I believe that's yet another factor in the higher percentage of FD's with cooling seal failures.

On a street car, good fan control is CRITICAL - I put that up there with the first mods for the car. It has done a great job keeping my temps down.

Dale

Oct 25, 2005 | 07:54 PM

#53

Sgtblue

Urban Combat Vet

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From: Mid-west

Quote:

Originally Posted by jic

...but was mounting the tin a pain in the *** or do you fabricate your own way to bolt it in next to the radiator?

For a street driven car, I think you'll find foam works pretty well. It's inexpensive, easy, isn't prone to rattling and lasts quite a while. You may even still find some OEM foam in there. I also used some silicone adhesive caulk and sealed up my belly pan a bit.
Still, ducting would probably be even better. I recalled this thread from a few months back. Has good pics too.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...highlight=foam

Oct 25, 2005 | 07:59 PM

#54

John Magnuson

Rotary Enthusiast

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 1,147

Likes: 1

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgtblue

For a street driven car, I think you'll find foam works pretty well. ]

Heavy duty foam works great for me. I just cut it to size, spray on some adhesive and stuff it in the gaps. Fine at the track too.

Make sure in particular that the foam between the bottom of the undertray and the back bottom lip of the radiator is in good shape. It really help direct the air up into the radiator.