Texas FI'ed cooling solution?

Anyone local running a custom Spal fan setup or underpan that keeps their FI'ed car cool under nearly all conditions? My FMII '99 is doing a LOT better than my '97 used to, although I'd like to get it cooling off even beter.. Global warming and all :)

The scoop from BEGI looks interesting, although they don't have a kit for the FM intercooler yet... And while FM has their dual fan setup, nearly $500 is too much. I haven't talked to Gary at TDR, although the website doesn't list anything I haven't seen before..

And yes, I'm already running a FM radiator (shrouded on top) with water and Purple Ice (comparable to Water Wetter).

I haven't figured out the correct formula yet, but from what I have read fans do help. I did some research on FM's Spal fans and they are no different than the Spal fans you can buy anywhere else. I am looking at adding some this summer as well just need to decide on which ones I'm going with.

Yea, I dug up these for $315 on spal's site:
http://etxiow.accpaconline.com/itemd...&item=30102052

And then found the same fans for $240 here:
http://www.jaycorptech.com/showprodu...4&categoryid=2

Interested in doing a group install?

Yeah I have that same one on my truck and it works well. I believe that it is the same size as our radiator including the tanks so mods would have to be made to make it fit. Loud is the other word I would use to describe that fan. I need to take another look at making this work.

How loud exactly?

The top one looks like what i have on my car now. They're not too loud, but it's noticable. I installed them early june and have yet to see over 100 on the key pad. They seem to be working great, I have driven around town and on the highway, but have not been stuck in traffic for 30 minutes.

Did you order them through Spal or ? Any pricing info? What was the install like?

I bought them used, so it was just mounting the relays, and splicing a bunch of wires. I got a TCB deal with an aluminum radiator. Used FM's instructions and it went pretty easy. I know they weren't bought from FM, but they sure look like them. Sorry I can't provide more info.

I've fashioned a home built air-damn under the front spoiler, then made a box to keep any air from slipping around the i/c, cond, and radiator. My temps are always below 98 w/ the A/C off. Normal temps with out the a/c is around 92-94c. With A/C on, I'm getting 96 to 104c in traffic. If stuck in stop/go traffic It will climb when the a/c is on but seems to stop at around 108c. I've got my Max temp set to 110c and have never had the link cut power due to over heating, except at a S2000 event last year, but that was prior to the mod.

Prior to the air-damn and the box, I would run up to 108c on the hi-way at 75mph w/A/C, and would get to over 110c in stop and go traffic.

I've got all the cooling mods, FM Radiator, Dual Spal's, Oil cooler, 16 lbs radiator cap, 80/20 mixture.

Unfortanetly with the '99 link it doesn't tell you temps, so I'm just going by the gauge. Based on what I remember from my '97, any movement at all isn't a good sign.

The car does highway miles with a/c on without trouble, it's just prolonged stop-n-go that worries me.

The straight blade fans are pretty loud. I can hear them in my truck with the windows up, but they move the required air.

Here is a good thread on the pointy board:
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=196450

Some good discussion there as I have the same high speed overheating problems they are speaking of.

Forgot about the TDR "mouthpieces" that we installed before Hallett last year. They seal things up pretty nice, sounds a lot like what Duane did.

Explain "mouthpieces"?

I made my mouthpeace that is connected to the radiator intake on the front bumper. It seals up all excape routes for the air, so the air is forced through the radiator, cond., and i/cooler.

I used to have a problem when on the highway, but not anymore.

Got any pics? I wouldn't mind taking a look in person either... Actually, I haven't met anyone local who has a FI miata since I had my '97. Next time you guys get together at Gary's or whatever, let me know.

-s

We cut the side panels off the belly pan on all FI cars, big improvement for getting the hot air out and circulates the air more efficiently around the header taking away heat. I am sure you have wired the fans in parallel, standard procedure for all Miatas FI or not.

Your setup has poor efficiency of capturing the airflow in the mouth of the radiator, even more with the FM intercooler, add additional panels if necessary and consider using high temperature-moisture resistent aluminum foil tape to seal off air leaks. You can get some at the hardware store in the A/C insulation department. Some of their tape is not high temperature (250F or higher) so read the label. If you can not find it we stock it.

The stock fans are powerful enough to pull a lot of heat out of your radiator, you just need to improve the airflow.

Gary

I wouldn't mind seeing this firsthand. Does TDR have a shop at the addy on the website, or is that just the business address?

The dallas address is our TDR warehouse. Even though I am there during the week, you are better off coming to the Dog House in Plano on the weekend.

Call or come by at 3105 Saddlehead Dr., Plano. Glad to help.

Gary

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trackdog

We cut the side panels off the belly pan on all FI cars, big improvement for getting the hot air out and circulates the air more efficiently around the header taking away heat. I am sure you have wired the fans in parallel, standard procedure for all Miatas FI or not.

Your setup has poor efficiency of capturing the airflow in the mouth of the radiator, even more with the FM intercooler, add additional panels if necessary and consider using high temperature-moisture resistent aluminum foil tape to seal off air leaks. You can get some at the hardware store in the A/C insulation department. Some of their tape is not high temperature (250F or higher) so read the label. If you can not find it we stock it.

The stock fans are powerful enough to pull a lot of heat out of your radiator, you just need to improve the airflow.

Gary

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So you cut the side panel completely off on both sides? There is a nut that keeps the side panel on the car. Would the side panel still be stable without flapping around if I cut all that off?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chuckerants

So you cut the side panel completely off on both sides? There is a nut that keeps the side panel on the car. Would the side panel still be stable without flapping around if I cut all that off?

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I think he is referring to the NB, which may have a different bellypan than the NA? I don't think he cut anything off of the sides of my NA bellypan when he installed my intercooler, but I could be wrong.