Problems Installing Pettit SMIC...
#1
Problems Installing Pettit SMIC...
Hey guys,
I just got a used Pettit SMIC in the mail yesterday, and spent a long time cleaning it, then tryin to put it in. Obviously because it's used, it won't have instructions, and how hard can it be right!? Well, I couldn't get the damn thing to fit. I guess because how simple it looks I underestimated the install. I was wondering, after searching the forum (nothing came up with my problem), and came accross a few GReddy SMIC pages where people had to lower their radiator by flipping the front side mounts on the radiator. Would that be a solution I have to do? Since I'm not running a stock radiator? I have a fluidyne, and it isn't as thick as the koyo, but is thicker than stock. So, anyone with the older Pettit SMIC, the older coolcharge II I believe. Can you please chime in on your installs?
This install was pissing me off so much yesterday, and after a not being able to install, and a scratched up duct (from trying to squeeze the I/C into place), I'm asking for help. Sometimes, it's just good to hear tips from other folks. Thanks in advance for all those who are able to help.
-Jeff
I just got a used Pettit SMIC in the mail yesterday, and spent a long time cleaning it, then tryin to put it in. Obviously because it's used, it won't have instructions, and how hard can it be right!? Well, I couldn't get the damn thing to fit. I guess because how simple it looks I underestimated the install. I was wondering, after searching the forum (nothing came up with my problem), and came accross a few GReddy SMIC pages where people had to lower their radiator by flipping the front side mounts on the radiator. Would that be a solution I have to do? Since I'm not running a stock radiator? I have a fluidyne, and it isn't as thick as the koyo, but is thicker than stock. So, anyone with the older Pettit SMIC, the older coolcharge II I believe. Can you please chime in on your installs?
This install was pissing me off so much yesterday, and after a not being able to install, and a scratched up duct (from trying to squeeze the I/C into place), I'm asking for help. Sometimes, it's just good to hear tips from other folks. Thanks in advance for all those who are able to help.
-Jeff
#2
Don't worry be happy...
iTrader: (1)
Yes your rad is your problem. I have a a PFS SMIC and a fluidyne rad. The PFS SMIC fit perfectly with my stock radiator. Then about a year later my rad went so I bought a fuidyne.
Once it installed the duct on the Ic was hitting the fan and would align with the IC. I had to get a little creative to make sure that the rad sat as low as possible. There wasn't any cutting other than a plastic piece by the passenger side front bumper. Mostly it was adjusting of the flanges and stuff. It fit tight but it fits. Give it a look and see what exactly is keeping your radiator from sitting in deeper. It really isn't that difficult once you know your culprit.
Once it installed the duct on the Ic was hitting the fan and would align with the IC. I had to get a little creative to make sure that the rad sat as low as possible. There wasn't any cutting other than a plastic piece by the passenger side front bumper. Mostly it was adjusting of the flanges and stuff. It fit tight but it fits. Give it a look and see what exactly is keeping your radiator from sitting in deeper. It really isn't that difficult once you know your culprit.
#3
Yes your rad is your problem. I have a a PFS SMIC and a fluidyne rad. The PFS SMIC fit perfectly with my stock radiator. Then about a year later my rad went so I bought a fuidyne.
Once it installed the duct on the Ic was hitting the fan and would align with the IC. I had to get a little creative to make sure that the rad sat as low as possible. There wasn't any cutting other than a plastic piece by the passenger side front bumper. Mostly it was adjusting of the flanges and stuff. It fit tight but it fits. Give it a look and see what exactly is keeping your radiator from sitting in deeper. It really isn't that difficult once you know your culprit.
Once it installed the duct on the Ic was hitting the fan and would align with the IC. I had to get a little creative to make sure that the rad sat as low as possible. There wasn't any cutting other than a plastic piece by the passenger side front bumper. Mostly it was adjusting of the flanges and stuff. It fit tight but it fits. Give it a look and see what exactly is keeping your radiator from sitting in deeper. It really isn't that difficult once you know your culprit.
-Jeff
Trending Topics
#11
workaholic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: panama city fl
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the smic by greddy with a koyo and had no problems but the greddy smic piping kit seemed a little too long on the top pipe and i had to cut the s pipe the efini y and crossover pipe wasnt an issue at all nowusing the factory ic duct was a total pain in the ***
#12
-Jeff
#13
How does having the Efini Y pipe change fitment? I thought it was just a different Y pipe and a metal crossover pipe, but it would fit the exact same....does it not mate up to the factory intercooler?
Anyways I have Koyo and PFS IC/Duct and its a tight fit! I had to lower the radiator tremendously it sits atleast an inch lower as does the a/c condensor. Even after lowering, the ic duct rubed the fan wiring and shorted the system luckily the koyo cooled me fine without the fans for quite a while before i noticed and repaired the wires.
Anyways I have Koyo and PFS IC/Duct and its a tight fit! I had to lower the radiator tremendously it sits atleast an inch lower as does the a/c condensor. Even after lowering, the ic duct rubed the fan wiring and shorted the system luckily the koyo cooled me fine without the fans for quite a while before i noticed and repaired the wires.
#14
How does having the Efini Y pipe change fitment? I thought it was just a different Y pipe and a metal crossover pipe, but it would fit the exact same....does it not mate up to the factory intercooler?
Anyways I have Koyo and PFS IC/Duct and its a tight fit! I had to lower the radiator tremendously it sits atleast an inch lower as does the a/c condensor. Even after lowering, the ic duct rubed the fan wiring and shorted the system luckily the koyo cooled me fine without the fans for quite a while before i noticed and repaired the wires.
Anyways I have Koyo and PFS IC/Duct and its a tight fit! I had to lower the radiator tremendously it sits atleast an inch lower as does the a/c condensor. Even after lowering, the ic duct rubed the fan wiring and shorted the system luckily the koyo cooled me fine without the fans for quite a while before i noticed and repaired the wires.
-Jeff
#15
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
https://www.rx7club.com/vbgarage.php...ype=im&id=6470
I have stock piping, but still won't fit. The pettit piping is too long. Should I just cut the stock elbow? Also, I'm not sure what the L mount is, but I was trying to lower the radiator, and I tried removing the rubber bolt piece on the front radiator mount, and one of them broke. Now I have a broken rubber bolt thing, and I think I might use a vise grip to get it out. That way the front sit a tiny bit lower, but with no bushing. I still think it wont be enough. Next step is to probably cut the duct to size, or cut the stock elbow. What do you guys think?
-Jeff
-Jeff
http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...8/MVC-006F.JPG
IIRC, I did trim the stock elbow to fit.
#16
Thanks Mahjik. I'm going to dremel trim the stock elbow after I lower the radiator. What rubber did you use for the trim on the duct? That should allow no gaps, and deal the I/C pretty well. Also, did you trim the intercooler for the efini y pipe, or did you trim the efini y pipe?
-Jeff
-Jeff
#20
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
Thanks Mahjik. I'm going to dremel trim the stock elbow after I lower the radiator. What rubber did you use for the trim on the duct? That should allow no gaps, and deal the I/C pretty well. Also, did you trim the intercooler for the efini y pipe, or did you trim the efini y pipe?
-Jeff
-Jeff
#21
thats not paint....
To drop the radiator I used some longer bolts for those black radiator brackets. Then added fuel hose as a bushing. Without doing that I couldn't even fit the IC duct in.
#22
Than I believe I took the rubber things holding the top of the radiator off and put them on upside down or something. I dont remember exactly what I did there but stock the radiator sits on top of those brackets, you want it below them. Than just go to lowes or w/e and get some longer spacer bolts and nylon spacers to make the condensor fit......its sort of hard to explain but it should make sense when you look at it.
The Efini is a little longer than the stock plastic pipe. For the stock IC, it doesn't hurt fitment. However with the extended piping on the Pettit CC II Old Style SMIC, it causes a problem. I did cut my cross-over pipe to fit:
https://www.rx7club.com/vbgarage.php...ype=im&id=6470
Jeff, I believe I did cut my stock elbow a little to get it to fit. I had since switched to the Greddy Elbow which I believe is what the kit was intended to use. Here's an old shot of my engine bay with the stock elbow:
http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...8/MVC-006F.JPG
IIRC, I did trim the stock elbow to fit.
https://www.rx7club.com/vbgarage.php...ype=im&id=6470
Jeff, I believe I did cut my stock elbow a little to get it to fit. I had since switched to the Greddy Elbow which I believe is what the kit was intended to use. Here's an old shot of my engine bay with the stock elbow:
http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...8/MVC-006F.JPG
IIRC, I did trim the stock elbow to fit.
I was planning on that to be my next upgrade, maybe not now.
#24
Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it. So far, this is what I'm going to have to do:
Find longer bolts or bend the lower radiator bracket; finish up removing the rubber bump stops on the front radiator mounts; and get longer bolts and washers for the a/c condenser. Last, but not least I have to cut a lil bit off the stock elbow.
Sounds good?
-Jeff
Find longer bolts or bend the lower radiator bracket; finish up removing the rubber bump stops on the front radiator mounts; and get longer bolts and washers for the a/c condenser. Last, but not least I have to cut a lil bit off the stock elbow.
Sounds good?
-Jeff
#25
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
Sounds good. I didn't need to do anything with the stock radiator when I had it installed. However, I'm running a larger race radiator now and had to do a lot of hacking to make it fit the the IC.
I forgot to answer this above. Unfortunately, the sealing came with the IC from its previous owner. I would imagine you could find something similar as Home Depot for probably pretty cheap.
I forgot to answer this above. Unfortunately, the sealing came with the IC from its previous owner. I would imagine you could find something similar as Home Depot for probably pretty cheap.