FMIC end tank design

[Ludachris]

Forgive me if this isn't considered totally advanced, but I've been thinking about this topic for a while now. Most side-to-side FMIC kits available to the DSM community (especially 1Gs) tend to use squared edge end tank designs (Buschur, Indy Race Cores, Victory Performance), as where most of the Japanese parts companies (Greddy, Apex, Blitz, HKS) use a rounded end tank design.

It would seem to me that a rounded end tank design would promote better flow, thus increasing efficiency. I mean, we make it a point to smooth out, enlarge, and straighten most of the other airflow components in our systems, wouldn't this be an obvious place to focus on? I'd assume it would also bring about a more expensive unit, but wouldn't it be a better product? Let me know what your thoughts are on this subject.

 

[NDgsx]

Originally posted by Ludachris
It would seem to me that a rounded end tank design would promote better flow, thus increasing efficiency.
I'd assume it would also bring about a more expensive unit, but wouldn't it be a better product?

Yes, yes, and yes. That's why I am having my friend make endtanks for me (205 spearco core). Here's some tips for making endtanks yourself, http://www.sdsefi.com/techcooler.htm

 

[GalantVR41062]

or buy the Greddy Big FMIC cut off the top out let flange weld it smooth then make a nice inlet on the driveside about half way down the IC pointing twards the back of the car ofcourse. My thoughts, or deal with the square end tanks, some one should Flow bench square end tanks VS rounded ones to see the difference(I saw someone flowbench mufflers so it could be done)

 

[ItsStockOfficer]

well....the endtanks don't affect cooling or anything significant, any affect they would have would be on pressure drop. My DSM with sqaured endtanks has maybe 1 psi of presuure drop from turboo to TB. When you have this little pressure drop its almosy impossible to get any less. The core is most of it and even straight piping migh have 1/4 of a ps1 so what can you, gain another 1/4 psi pressure drop? If it was a 20 dollar option it may be worth worrying about, otherwise, it dosen't matter a damn bit.

 

[GalantVR41062]

I dont think he ment cooling but pressure drop and CFM/ flow will be affected and I would be worried a little about that. Air to Liquid IC has about .05psi thats .05 psi pressure drop and then the 2 feet of IC piping now thats a lot of flow. Also with the pressure drop in the system the manifold pressure is 20psi but your pressure drop is 2psi now the turbo has to produce 22psi and that would be a lower compressor efficence and hotter air hotter IC etc, so I think the square endtank design if it hampers flow will be a big deal, also the Indy Race core(28x10.5x3.5) has 1.5psi pressure drop just stuff to think about.

 

[RocketBoy]

Originally posted by ItsStockOfficer
My DSM with sqaured endtanks has maybe 1 psi of presuure drop from turboo to TB. When you have this little pressure drop its almosy impossible to get any less.

I'm just curious as to whether or not you pulled this number out of the air, if you actually did some testing, or if it was published for your core (which isn't listed in your profile) somewhere.

 

[KenTSIII]

We do offer a radius inside of our end tanks for people that think that this is an issue. The option costs an additional $50. Do we think that this is a real issue... possibly. But people have ran 9's on our Race Core w/ the current design. The new "Track Core" will come w/ the radius in all of the endtanks.. due to the fact that the people that would purchase such a core would be looking for the MAX amount of HP gain. Our "track core" is 26 x 12 x 4.375. The reason that alot of companies that make FMICs for DSMs don't use rounded cast endtanks is due to the very high cost of having a custom casting made.

 

[Ludachris]

Originally posted by KenTSIII
The reason that alot of companies that make FMICs for DSMs don't use rounded cast endtanks is due to the very high cost of having a custom casting made.

That was my assumption. Has there been any real testing with these "radius design" end tanks comparing the flow numbers to the square end tank design? It would be interesting to see the data. And how close would the radius design come to an actual rounded cast design?

 

[hose101772]

is'nt the idea of rounded end tanks based on evening out core load-which would lead to higher heat transfer or "better cooling" not to mention the less abrupt entrance and exit.on that same note-i have to wonder why some folks decide its fine to slam high speed-high density air into the flat front wall of their endtank-knowing it will find its way home but only after losing part of its hard made kenetic energy.i know not all ends are made that way-but there some very pricey ones that are.just a thought-feedback anyone?

 

[Enigma_Man]

The general consensus seems to be that there will be improvements using rounded end tanks, but at greater cost. And nobody has any real data to back it up.

-Jesse

 

[KenTSIII]

General concensus seems to be...

it really don't make much difference if any any all. Alot of people worry waaay too much about how things work on paper.. instead of how they work in the real world. We have customers that run 9's on the shitty square endtanks... Buschur has ran 9s,8s,7s on the exact same design of tank... If it really made that big of a difference don't you think everyone would be running rounded tanks? Things work alot different when pressurized than what people think. Ever stop to think that maybe hitting the wall makes the air disperse & use a greater % of the core therefor better cooling the intake charge?