PR FMIC after install question

[bjmauck]

I bought and installed the Punishment Racing FMIC and fit great and looks great!!! I wish they would have told me about cutting bumper. While driving down the interstate at 80 the temp hand which is always 1/2 way goes up to about 3/4 way. It never "overheated" but ran hotter then normal. I could turn the heat wide open and it would come down to normal, turn it off and it would go back up. Is this the extra restriction from the front mount? I had a greddy small fmic before and never had a problem.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Typically yes, this is due to the airflow restriction from the fmic. There is a plastic shroud funneling air to the radiator for a reason, and yanking that AND putting a big fmic in front has reduced your airflow to the radiator drastically.

You'll want to create ducting for your radiator so air continues to funnel to it. Do a few searches and you'll find some examples. It's hard to do enough ducting for continued driving on a track, but for occasional sprints and around time driving you can get away with only a little ducting.

 

[mazda-man]

You may also want to look into getting a aluminum radiator. Most have two upsides and they are more coolant capacity and also aluminum dissaptes heat better then the stock. Of course this is if your still running a stock style radiator.

 

[agentorange313]

You may also want to look into getting a aluminum radiator. Most have two upsides and they are more coolant capacity and also aluminum dissaptes heat better then the stock. Of course this is if your still running a stock style radiator.

+1 Upgrade to an aluminum, they dissipate heat much better then stock ones with plastic end tanks. Just be careful they do get hot, burnt myself several times working on my car. 2 row is fine for you setup, you should have sufficient cooling, if you have the money look into a 3 core radiator. maybe even get a slim fan and route it to be a pusher.

 

[SpawnedX]

This never happened to me. I have the PR kit, stock radiator and car ran at normal operating temperatures. Same goes for my TSi which as the VRSF kit and stock radiator.

Something else is going on here.

 

[jjrock5]

Yup Ive had both FMICs on two different 2gs and never happened to me.

Stock radiator, stock fans, and plastic air deflectors completely removed.

 

[nightmares GS-T]

This never happened to me. I have the PR kit, stock radiator and car ran at normal operating temperatures. Same goes for my TSi which as the VRSF kit and stock radiator.

Something else is going on here.

It happened to me as well so it may not be a big issue it could just be out climate. I live in MS so its gets hot as hell here. As for the OP wire you fans to where they both kick in. That solved my over heating issues until I get a new radiator.

 

[Zdrummer15]

This never happened to me. I have the PR kit, stock radiator and car ran at normal operating temperatures. Same goes for my TSi which as the VRSF kit and stock radiator.

Something else is going on here.

Yup Ive had both FMICs on two different 2gs and never happened to me.

Stock radiator, stock fans, and plastic air deflectors completely removed.

You are also both in New England while the op is in Georgia. The warmer climate likely makes a difference.

 

[99gst214]

I have the PR FMIC and I did notice a slight increase in coolant temp after the install. I use an AEM digital coolant temp gauge. I only really noticed the increase on hot days (85*-90*). Also I have noticed that the temp can climb while drafting vehicles during interstate driving. My A/C is removed which limits me to one cooling fan. Either an aluminum radiator or a larger slim fan could resolve this.

 

[SpawnedX]

I only drive my car in the summer. It saw 100° temps in 90% or more humidit.

 

[MJBean420]

check the basics first. Coolant level, quality, and a flush. check the water pump and belt tension. maybe the thermostat is sticking.

check for boost leaks too. you might be running rich.

 

[bjmauck]

I had no problems before I installed the fmic. Driving at 60 MPH the temp gauge is normal sitting at idle the gauge is normal also. It only gets warmer than normal at 80mph.

I used premixed coolent. It was around 60° wasn't drafting made sure of that. Already had a small greddy fmic with plastic removed.