Overheating with TD05 turbochargers

[PaulL]

I believe the copper cores were 96 models and older, and the 3rd gens had aluminum. I could see having a thicker radiator would make the fans fight harder to move air through. While more coolant is cooling down at one time with a thicker radiator, its not cooling down as fast as the wind speeds aren't as strong going through. Furthermore, the air cooling down the back of the radiator is probably much warmer, so the coolant traveling through the back half of the radiator isn't cooling down as much as the radiator traveling through the front half of the radiator. I am not a thermal engineer, so I couldn't say this is true for sure. Maybe someone like Alex can give us his 2 cents.

Also, it makes me wonder if it really is unnecessary to have a 2" radiator core. The inlet and outlet of the radiator are the same size as stock, and can only flow so much through it at one time. If the 2" core can flow more coolant than the inlet and outlet can, then it seems to me that the effeciency is a lot less, plus the addition of more resistance of air trying to come through the radiator. On top of that, the core now also sits 1" closer to the hot turbos. Maybe BigTyla can give his evaluation on this theory.

[MR2]

sorry for the dumb question...you have turbo shielding right? something that's got insulation in it etc?

[PaulL]

I don't have any shielding, just the 3sx headers sitting there.

[mb3000]

Any type of ceramic coating?

[PaulL]

Nope, 3SX put the kit on when the car was up there over 3 years ago.

[MR2]

ok, shield that before you go much further, let me link you to a guy whom I consider to be one of the masters of shielding

Edit:

My 3.8L build thread - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Keep in mind one of the guys here is having a similar issue, with a similar config, he did put heat shielding on and it did not help...I believe the big issue is the FMIC is too thick+ possibly too dense :| (not being rude...just my general thoughts on it)

[vr4tune]

Quik question! What is your coolant to water ratio?

[vr4tune]

ok, shield that before you go much further, let me link you to a guy whom I consider to be one of the masters of shielding

Edit:

My 3.8L build thread - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Keep in mind one of the guys here is having a similar issue, with a similar config, he did put heat shielding on and it did not help...I believe the big issue is the FMIC is too thick+ possibly too dense :| (not being rude...just my general thoughts on it)

You are right some intercooler core designs don't allow much air flow while some do. What intercooler do you have?

[MR2]

I am not willing to fight with a front mount, everyone I know eventually has issues with them

the plan is Side mount, and if the side mount does not do enough then it's go water to air

[IPD]

i wouldn't say it's a systemic problem. i've actually heard of only a few cases where FMIC + 2" radiator = overheating.