More Cooling
 

I just got my FD running after 3 years of ownership. I noticed it runs significantly hotter than my turbo II I had years ago. I'm not digging the bay heat I can feel by standing next to the car outside of it so I want to make sure this motor I put in it will last as long as possible. This 100% stock (California smogging setup) minus apexi intakes. I've thought of a few ways to run cooler which I will be doing in chronological order shortly such as:

Deleting precat and running 3" DP (heatwrapped) and HFC

Headlight air duct

Upgraded 3 row radiator

Upgraded v-mount intercooler

Efini y-pipe

Bov

Vented CF hood

The order is not listed by the most impact in cooling but mainly the cost and what I already have obtained recently to swap out.

Any help on other things that'll help me keep cooler and extend my engine life is appreciated. Thanks!

Other common cooling mods include: FC thermoswitch, 2nd oil cooler, foam ducting around radiator sides

One thing that is not mentioned often as a cooling mod is a catback system. I think it is because most people do that early in the process anyway. I did my catback later and it does aid in engine cooling. I have seen this mentioned in a big cooling thread by one of the older members in the FAQ/archives, can't remember the author, maybe Fritz Flynn. It just doesn't get mentioned in cooling discussions all that often.

Most of that radiant heat from popping the hood is from the stock precat. Get a decent downpipe and get it ceramic coated. Heat wrap is a pain in the ass and cheesy, a good ceramic coat with outlast the car (that stuff is BULLETPROOF) and is a night and day change in temps under the hood.

Start with that before you go any further. I don't think you'll have issues with the smog police with a downpipe, but if you do, get a JDM stock downpipe. No cat in it, but it's ultra stock looking.

Dale

Another good mod is the remedy water pump, run it with the stock pulley. this pump does well.

Awesome great info guys thanks for dropping the info. I have my fujistsubo cb already so ill be good there. I was considering ceramic coating but wasn't sure of it bring worth while. Seems to be since YouTube and other recommend it. I'm doing it!

Wp I will look into as well! What's a thermos witch? I've hear about deleting the AST and using FC thermos witch but what's the upgrade besides avoiding a plastic AST that can explode or crack?

What's the coating product name you've used?

By 'cb' you mean cat-back? that means you're still running a stock downpipe with pre cat unless you've already gone to a downpipe.

As Dale said, replace the stock pre-cat with a good aftermarket downpipe like the Bonez from RX7.com.

From there, I'd jump right to the v-mount radiator + intercooler setup and the thermo switch. The v-mount was by far the best mod I have ever made to get the car to run and behave consistently. The Rotary extreme v-mount setup is by far the best out there that I have personally seen in person and held in my two hands - vs read about on a forum.

highlited if you don't already have one.

catback exhaust brings more cooling? what would straight exhaust do?

My fd has stock precat and stock California cat and some dumb cat back for now that looks close to stock but isn't. It's very quiet as well so it's well muffled. I have all my exhaust components already to run 3" from dp to the tip. Yes cb is catback.

I wish I could afford a second oil cooler but for now I'm rocking touring hard lol

You guys know of a good intercooler v mount that's a good price? I'm not worried about brands right now since my fd fund isn't so high right now. Too many babies and house renovations are digging deep

If money's tight, save it on the vented heat light cover and BOV. They won't help cooling or performance. The efini 'Y' pipe won't do much for cooling either. But it does flow marginally better and eliminates a trouble-prone coupler.
And assuming you're currently still running the OEM SMIC, you'll probably end up needing a different intake and a boost controller with the 'Y' pipe and V-mount and decent intake.

You need to get rid of your pre-cat. Hell, I have an HKS downpipe Im never going to use if you need to find one cheap, I'm in California as well.

-David Guy

I was thinking of getting the v mount and radiator soon along with a fcd. Anyone has experience with a fcd on an fd?

I ran a Koyo radiator, front mount intercooler, a/c condenser and an aftermarket downpipe in 90/100* conditions for a year without ever having a heating issue. I now charged over to a Power FC, FC thermoswitch, removed a/c and have never seen above 89* Celsius in the car... Don't need crazy vents & holes to keep your car cool.

Dude, just listen to what people are saying, don't start buying random crap :(.

It's not random. I simply think id be hitting fuel cut because of a major exhaust change and easier flowing system. At least my FC did. Nothing to worry about in an fd? I will be getting the radiator and v mount like people are saying. And I already bought hi heat coating for my dp and be putting it on once my stainless ties come in for my wrap.

Do you think you will be able to smog your car after you go with a v-mount?

No but I'm keeping all my factory parts to switch over when the time comes again

If you're looking to make more than ~12 psi buy some sort of standalone. This isn't an FC, piggybacks are nothing but headaches on a 3rd gen.

-David Guy

From a V mount back to stock...along with everything else?:scratch:

Speaking for myself, I have legitimately CA smogged my v mount equipped FD several times. Now here's the caveat: I retained the factory air box (now a CAI) and used a medium IC; works great, fits and looks stockish--never had anyone question it.

As has been mention, ditch the precat--you do not need it to pass the CA sniffer so long as you have a good main cat and airpump/emissions.

Yes. I've always done that just for smog and back to Normal right after it passes

Thanks I'll look into it. 👍