Radiator help...FMIC causing overeating

Okay so last summer i installed a FMIC and noticed the car overheats about 80% up the meter when im on the highway...But if i turn the heat on the car it runs about 55% up the meter....I know about the fan mod and everything and plan on doing it, but i still wanna get a nice aluminum radiator to make sure i dont get anymore overheating....id hate to spend 300-400 on a fluidyne so i was looking at this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-96-97-98-99-ECLIPSE-TURBO-RACING-RADIATOR-GSX-GST-AL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33602QQihZ015QQitemZ 250007123637QQrdZ1


How good do you guys think this radiator is? You think it will end up leaking on me or some bullshit like that? What are the measures taking when buying a good radiator? I know i havent been on in forever, but think for the help guys!

I dont know man, I would go fluidyne. Or get a couple bigger, much higher volume fans instead. Just remember to duct them good.

I don't think it matter much which radiator you have if a front mount is blocking airflow to it ;) The trick is to get airflow to the radiator. Jumper the relays so both fans come on at least, that should help. Then start looking for places to add some shrouding so the air can't just spill around the radiator instead of going through it.

On my 2g a 24x10x3.5 FMIC worked fine, but when I went to a core that was 24x12x3.5 it blocked enough air to the radiator to cause the problem you describe. For me installing the second fan and having them come on simultaneously was enough, but some people have to add shrouding as well. Maybe you'll get lucky.

Same here. I have the same core kevin did, and I overheated at first. I then added that second fan, now i do not overheat. :grinyes:

I believe if you have a cooling system that is working 100% fine, you'll be fine. I have a 24x12x3.5 and have never overheated once. I can sit in traffic all day with the a/c on, drive on the highway as much as I want. Before you spend hundreds on a radiator, I would make sure the problem isn't elsewhere. I'm also dealing with upper 90's to 100's everyday now in the summer, no overheating. My point is make sure it's not something else first, try changing out the thermo, drain and refill the coolant, add water wetter, etc. You never know, it might be something like this. If those don't work, you're likely going to have to deal with directing airflow to the radiator. You can have the nicest aluminum radiator there is, but if it's not getting airflow, it will ovehrheat.

You can have the nicest aluminum radiator there is, but if it's not getting airflow, it will ovehrheat.
I agree. For now I am just sticking with my stock radiator since theres absolutly nothing wrong with it. I may add a lower piece to direct air up to it just because of my fmic being so huge. (Firebirds are designed with a piece to direct air up into the radiator. I think I shall steal the design for my DSM. lol) :rolleyes:

Do you still have the a/c condenser in? Cause if so that's a pretty big block right in front of the radiator. I have a 28x10x3.5 fmic and have never had problems and i'm on 1 slim fan.

So you guys obviosuly think that the radiator will do jack shit, right? Not even help a little? Im gonna try the fan mod as soon as possible, but isnt it as same as having the heater on??

Also i have no idea how im gonna direct air to that radiator...anyone have any ideas or illustrations that you may have come across?

Thanks everyone!

P.S. I see that you have moved up in rank since ive been gone Kevin.....its about time....you deserve it

Oh and yes i still do have the a/c condesner in...i mean i dont wanna lose my a/c...... not that i even use it becuase the overheating...

So you guys obviosuly think that the radiator will do jack shit, right? Not even help a little? Im gonna try the fan mod as soon as possible, but isnt it as same as having the heater on??

Also i have no idea how im gonna direct air to that radiator...anyone have any ideas or illustrations that you may have come across?

Thanks everyone!

P.S. I see that you have moved up in rank since ive been gone Kevin.....its about time....you deserve it

Thanks!

It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing, but it could be a waste of money if other simple solutions would solve the problem. The fan trick worked for me, I would seriously try that first. It's cheap/free. If that doesn't work try the shrouding. I Don't have any pics, but take a look at the IC and the radiator. You want to seal them together, as well as the bumper cover if possible, so air is forced to go through the IC, then through the radiator. The factory always uses shrouding like this, but we end up removing it to install the IC. The EVO has an AWESOME setup. The top two openings in the bumper are above the FMIC and go straight to the radiator. Even with the same 24x12x3.5 core, I run all day at 180 degrees, even with the AC on, etc. I wonder if you can simulate this on a DSM without it looking half assed and retarded.

Thanks!

It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing, but it could be a waste of money if other simple solutions would solve the problem. The fan trick worked for me, I would seriously try that first. It's cheap/free. If that doesn't work try the shrouding. I Don't have any pics, but take a look at the IC and the radiator. You want to seal them together, as well as the bumper cover if possible, so air is forced to go through the IC, then through the radiator. The factory always uses shrouding like this, but we end up removing it to install the IC. The EVO has an AWESOME setup. The top two openings in the bumper are above the FMIC and go straight to the radiator. Even with the same 24x12x3.5 core, I run all day at 180 degrees, even with the AC on, etc. I wonder if you can simulate this on a DSM without it looking half assed and retarded.


What exactly do you mean "seal" them together? Like get a zip tie and tie them together maybe? Also where can i get some shrouding.....Home depot? And just to be clear when you say shrouding you mean sort of like a duct setup, right?


Thanks again!

Yes, most people use thin sheet aluminum because it is light and easy to bend. Basically just box in the gaps between the bumper, IC, and radiator, so air can't go AROUND the radiator. Air takes the path of least resistance, after all.

Yes, most people use thin sheet aluminum because it is light and easy to bend. Basically just box in the gaps between the bumper, IC, and radiator, so air can't go AROUND the radiator. Air takes the path of least resistance, after all.


Ok cool im gonna try the fan mode and if that doesnt work ill try the other suggestions....Thanks for everyones help....Ill keep you guys updated

Okay guys so i did the fan mod and changed my radiaor cap and the car doesnt over heat anymore. However, when i have the A/C on it seems as if the two fans running has no effect at all. So what does that mean? Something else is wrong?

Also, is there another way of doing the "fan mod"? I have a switch that manually turns on both fans...i thought i once saw a thread/site where it showed that both fans automatically turn on once one fan turns on (hence no bypass switch)....

It should be in the vfaq. It involves tying the secondary fan to the main fan at the relay box. That takes care of any over current concerns ;) That is the mod I was refering to. The ECU will still turn the fans on at 210, but with 2 they will actually do something.

The AC creates a lot of heat! Even with both fans on it is unlikely that you can run the AC with a big FMIC and not overheat without doing some more work. Shrouding as I mentioned earlier, an extraction vent in the hood is a good idea (EVO came with one, for reference). An externail oil cooler can take some more load off the cooling system. Etc. You can also reduce the amount of coolant in your mix, but if you are having other problems this is just more likely to make the boilovers worse when it gets to that point. Coolant sucks at transfering heat, water is better, so some poeple switch to a 80/20 or 90/10 mix, with some water wetter. I would try this last though, unless you think you are running a relatively high concentration of coolant, like 50% for example. Sounds like you don't actually over heat any more, so reducing your coolant concentration should be ok. Just remember to put it back up for the fall.

It should be in the vfaq. It involves tying the secondary fan to the main fan at the relay box. That takes care of any over current concerns ;) That is the mod I was refering to. The ECU will still turn the fans on at 210, but with 2 they will actually do something.

The AC creates a lot of heat! Even with both fans on it is unlikely that you can run the AC with a big FMIC and not overheat without doing some more work. Shrouding as I mentioned earlier, an extraction vent in the hood is a good idea (EVO came with one, for reference). An externail oil cooler can take some more load off the cooling system. Etc. You can also reduce the amount of coolant in your mix, but if you are having other problems this is just more likely to make the boilovers worse when it gets to that point. Coolant sucks at transfering heat, water is better, so some poeple switch to a 80/20 or 90/10 mix, with some water wetter. I would try this last though, unless you think you are running a relatively high concentration of coolant, like 50% for example. Sounds like you don't actually over heat any more, so reducing your coolant concentration should be ok. Just remember to put it back up for the fall.


Awesome Kevin thanks! I will definately try some more fixes and keep the updates coming. As for the shrouding im gonna search on some more forums and the net in gerneral ro fins some examples i can feed off of. Hopefully i can soon have the A/c on and not overheat. Thanks!