Engine cooling 101

[warauto]

I have the belief, that cooling your engine efficiently under load can
inevitably increase your engine's performance. Even a stock engine can
take advantage of lowered temperatures.

Everyone out there wants to make big power, they bolt on large turbos and upgrade the hell out of their fuel systems....even to the point where they get overly excited. Then the ECU and then they have a beast.....

How about another route to our horsepower goals.

COOLING...

A high capacity aluminum radiator ( Koyo)
Radiator cap with a higher pressure rating
A Thermostat that opens at lower temp
Dual electric fans, with fan shroud
Air diverter ( Directed towards Radiator and Intercooler)
Heat wrap where applicable ( Manifolds, downpipes, chargepipes)
Water/methonol injection (rally cars love it)
Gas cooler
NO2 or CO2 intercooler cooling sprayer
Bigger water pump pulley
Turbo heat sheild
Oil cooler, Transmission cooler, Power Steering cooler....
Hood venting

All of these methods can be incorporated to a stock turbo setup.

So can your car see significant horspower improvements from just better cooling on a standard sr with 10lbs boost, fuel pump,FPR, AFC 2 and larger
injectors.

Add them up guys and see if this would be a very efficient way, feel free
to add to this or comment.

[Agent_S13]

Even a stock engine can take advantage of lowered temperatures.

My question is for a stock/daily driven engine -- is there such a thing as it running "too cool"? I figure the engine should operate at an ideal temperature and that being too cold/cool could affect the efficiency of the engine (gas mileage).

So my next question involves parts of your list:


A high capacity aluminum radiator ( Koyo)
Radiator cap with a higher pressure rating
A Thermostat that opens at lower temp
Dual electric fans, with fan shroud

Do you think all of the above (I selected from your list) for a relatively stock engine (that doesn't see many track days anymore) would be overkill? I have a those actual replacements in mind, but the thermostat that opens sooner might put me below my KA's operating temperature.

Or am I just overthinking it?

-Aaron
'91 240sx coupe

[Grenade180sx]

running no thermo on a daily can be an issue. i know a few people run no thermo on ther track only cars, but the most important thing about any cooling is PROPER DUCTING. u can have a koyo and overheat just like u did with your stock radiator.

OIL COOLERS AND DUCTING PEOPLE THATS IS WHAT U REALLY NEED

[z2roll4life7]

well from what i found out if your running a Stock Sr or Ka stick with the Clutch Fan it pulls more Air and doesnt Beat on your alternator like E fans Do most People i talk to About it only use E-fans when they dont have the room for a clutch fan

[I LUV MY S13]

My question is for a stock/daily driven engine -- is there such a thing as it running "too cool"? I figure the engine should operate at an ideal temperature and that being too cold/cool could affect the efficiency of the engine (gas mileage).

So my next question involves parts of your list:



Do you think all of the above (I selected from your list) for a relatively stock engine (that doesn't see many track days anymore) would be overkill? I have a those actual replacements in mind, but the thermostat that opens sooner might put me below my KA's operating temperature.

Or am I just overthinking it?

-Aaron
'91 240sx coupe

nismo thermostat will get it done..no probs

[fcdrifter20]

running no thermo on a daily can be an issue. i know a few people run no thermo on ther track only cars, but the most important thing about any cooling is PROPER DUCTING. u can have a koyo and overheat just like u did with your stock radiator.

OIL COOLERS AND DUCTING PEOPLE THATS IS WHAT U REALLY NEED

i gota agree with riley on this one. u can have a gangsta cooling setup but with out proper airflow to those components it will be completely useless.

[Agent_S13]

nismo thermostat will get it done..no probs

Thanks. I'll go with all of the above and not worry about it.

At least I know I'll be prepared in case another event manages to fit into my budget/schedule!

*shakes fist at mortgage payments*

-Aaron
'91 240sx coupe

[warauto]

As for daily driving, and the above listed modifications. It depends on how you consider one daily drives their car. I drive about 50 miles a day, not much for an average commute but significant non the less. Driving at highway speeds, i do go into boost alot for overtaking and things of that sort. Not to mention downshifting and other things that put significant strain on my engine. So in fact i push my car a little, where daily driving is concerned....

My point is i daily drive my car hard so that would merit cooling modifications, especially for a 100 degree weather.

[zenki.life]

a copper radiator is better for a DD. aluminum for track. just my .02