1G Overheating - Have tried a lot of stuff.

[1990bcgsx]

1990 GSX (http://puu.sh/xPq5n/d6ae9700a6.jpg)
ECMLink
HX35
Huge FMIC (http://puu.sh/xPq3l/018447470d.jpg)
FIC 1650's
Stock Radiator (http://puu.sh/xPq9t/97500021e8.jpg)

Car is a new build, so this issue started as soon as I got it running.

Motor came out of another car that sometimes had cooling issues, but didn't really drive around a ton anyhow.

So, car can drive around a while, and then starts overheating (215+).... if it is cool outside, the car can drive for hundreds of miles on the freeway, but if you are in slow traffic, or if it is hot out, car will overheat quickly.

Here's what I have checked..

• Thermostat (New, 180 degree)
• Radiator Cap (New)
• Put 2 big fans on it, and wired them to stay on all the time. (confirmed they are pulling in right direction)
• Put 2 more big fans on it in pusher configuration. (confirmed pushing in right direction)
• Checked Radiator to see if plugged (it isn't)
• Coolant Test to check if exhaust gasses were making it into coolant (they weren't)
• Pulled head to check head gasket (HG looks OK, piston #2 has detonation - see pic (http://puu.sh/xPpLp/315ff34969.jpg))

I'm not sure that that piston can cause the thing to overheat like this.... so I'm looking for advice of what to go after next... I'm figuring I'll check the water pump while I'm fixing the piston... but.... any other ideas?


Driving me nuts...


Thanks!

 

[19gsx91]

Check @ErikTande setup. He had some similar issues and got them worked out.

 

[19gsx91]

Also Giant FMIC+ Super hot turbo right next to the radiator.. = Get better ducting/fans or you'll overheat.

 

[1990bcgsx]

Also Giant FMIC+ Super hot turbo right next to the radiator.. = Get better ducting/fans or you'll overheat.

Yeah, that was my first theory, so I added a bunch of fans, made sure the voltage is proper to run them, and tried it like that... but still, no change....

 

[19gsx91]

But have you done any ducting?

 

[1990bcgsx]

But have you done any ducting?

No, but I have tried it with the bumper off to allow more air around everything. I can try building a complex ducting system and see what happens I suppose. Can't hurt...

 

[19gsx91]

@1990TSIAWDTALON has used a cut down camaro air dam with a lot of success.. the issue is not surface airflow through the FMIC. The issue is that the FMIC is impeding airflow to the radiator. I wouldn't expect removing the front bumper to make much of a difference tbh. Again, check Erik Tande's post on overheating and how he resolved it.

 

[1990bcgsx]

@1990TSIAWDTALON has used a cut down camaro air dam with a lot of success.. the issue is not surface airflow through the FMIC. The issue is that the FMIC is impeding airflow to the radiator. I wouldn't expect removing the front bumper to make much of a difference tbh. Again, check Erik Tande's post on overheating and how he resolved it.

When I go to his profile, it does not show any posts from him... I can see he has posts, but when I click to view his posts, it only has a post about "post best pic of your dsm"

 

[gsxeclipse102]

When you say "large fans". What brand? If theyre ebay or slimline mishimoto thats your problem. If you can fit a stock fan back in do so. I had the same problem as you. Now i have one puller fan which is a mishimoto but theyre raceline style (thick as oem) and running a half radiator. With a 180 thermostat and 190 fan switch my temps never go over 195 even sitting in traffic when its 90 out.

 

[1990bcgsx]

Derale fan, but they aren't nearly as thick as the stock fan. There is no way to fit the stock fan in there, or I would... I much prefer stock fan.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/i-want-ac-fmic-ducting-and-cooling-fans.510532/page-2
The whole thread is good info
Thanks for tagging me @19gsx91, I run the air dam full height and my son finally put one on his 2g, which is hidden more but still lowered his temps 35-40*.
In my profile picture of my 90 Red Talon you can see how it fits on a 1g. Its easy to trim since its plastic.
It is also just about the exact width and you can screw it to the bottom of the rad support. I ended up tacking nuts on the rad support and bolting it on. Trim to fit your needs and astetics.
Marty

Sorry the search feature is being goofy, use Google and include "DSM" or "DSMTUNERS" at the end of the search.

 

[19gsx91]

Forgot to tell you Marty. Justin is building me a custom Holset setup.. So I'll probably be enjoying overheating problems soon here too.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

When you say "large fans". What brand? If theyre ebay or slimline mishimoto thats your problem. If you can fit a stock fan back in do so. I had the same problem as you. Now i have one puller fan which is a mishimoto but theyre raceline style (thick as oem) and running a half radiator. With a 180 thermostat and 190 fan switch my temps never go over 195 even sitting in traffic when its 90 out.

Get a SPAL. They are Nascar rated and if they say they move 1300 cfm then they really move that air. Ebay fans are JUNK and over rated in true CFM's that they move.

 

[1990bcgsx]

Get a SPAL. They are Nascar rated and if they say they move 1300 cfm then they really move that air. Ebay fans are JUNK and over rated in true CFM's that they move.

Any specific one you recommend?

Keep in mind, the car currently has... -4- fans on it... 2 pulling from rear of radiator, 2 pushing air through from the front...

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Forgot to tell you Marty. Justin is building me a custom Holset setup.. So I'll probably be enjoying overheating problems soon here too.

I am here to help out. It will be a year I bet before my car is back but I can sure give my experiences on overheating issues. Main thing is wrap the underhood stuff so it doesn't "radiate" that heat right into your radiator. Wrapping helped me tremendously.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Any specific one you recommend?

Keep in mind, the car currently has... -4- fans on it... 2 pulling from rear of radiator, 2 pushing air through from the front...

My experience with pushers AND pullers was that it was splaying air that the pushers were trying to do. I removed my passenger side pusher and left the puller. The HX40 setup didn't leave room for a puller on the drivers side so I left a pusher there but I don't have alot of faith in it, my Mitsumoto X radiator is just very thick to "push" air thru.
This is one of the SPAL's I use. My son has the other fan/box but it was a pusher.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

http://www.jegs.com/p/SPAL/SPAL-High-Performance-Electric-Fans/2861438/10002/-1
Or find the Spal website that shows all of their models and ratings.

 

[1990bcgsx]

Pic of the front of the radiator: http://puu.sh/xPtTE/da4dcd7eb2.jpg
Here's a pic of the back fans currently: http://puu.sh/xPtOX/87172171fb.jpg

I'll try a baller fan and see if that helps too.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

@1990bcgsx , what exhaust manifold are you using for the HX35? If it gets warm the slower you drive, heat wrap the header tubes, the downpipe and a turbo blanket to keep heat away from the radiator on the back side. That and the air dam helped me tremendously.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Pic of the front of the radiator: http://puu.sh/xPtTE/da4dcd7eb2.jpg
Here's a pic of the back fans currently: http://puu.sh/xPtOX/87172171fb.jpg

I'll try a baller fan and see if that helps too.

If those are your pushers and they are Ebay fans, I would bet they are blocking more air than allowing thru. Take the passenger side off and let it "flow" air on that side. Just my opinion.

 

[gsxeclipse102]

Those are cheap fans. Get one good name brand fan and all your problems will go awqy

 

[gsxeclipse102]

Id run a spal fan as a puller on pass side and a cheap ebay on driver side as pusher. Itll help keep the heat from the turbo off the radiator

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I run 12"s but if you can fit a bigger like 14" do it.
I haven't done this but will when my motor comes out...I will seal the edges if the Spal puller for MAX pull thru the radiator.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Id run a spal fan as a puller on pass side and a cheap ebay on driver side as pusher. Itll help keep the heat from the turbo off the radiator

And with a stock radiator, it is easier to push and pull air thru it. The passenger pusher is good for some extra cooling and I agree to keep heat off the other components. Really, wrapping my stuff and pulling air from under the car (and creating a low pressure area behind it for better downforce) helped the best. More than 1 benefit from an airdam.

 

[ErikTande]

Good ducting and a bottom air dam as suggested by @1990TSIAWDTALON is what fixed my issue. My FMIC is completely sealed to the radiator except for where the lower air dam pulls in air.