I've made a start fitting my ARC intercoolers, and wondered what people usually do with the standard ducts.

 

I've done a search but nothing really comes up, I'm guessing the ducts do serve quite an important purpose to channel the flow to the 'coolers. Looks like I may need to cut and extend them?

 

One interesting thing I found out that I didn't know, you get better airflow if you have ducting/vents behind the intercoolers? but on a standard setup theres a washer bottle and all sorts there, have people modified the arch liner too or is that just OTT? :wacko:

from what ive heard ducting is esential on smic .. would love to help further but iam fmic guy ..

I've made a start fitting my ARC intercoolers, and wondered what people usually do with the standard ducts.

 

I've done a search but nothing really comes up, I'm guessing the ducts do serve quite an important purpose to channel the flow to the 'coolers. Looks like I may need to cut and extend them?

 

One interesting thing I found out that I didn't know, you get better airflow if you have ducting/vents behind the intercoolers? but on a standard setup theres a washer bottle and all sorts there, have people modified the arch liner too or is that just OTT? :wacko:

 

Im not familiar with the ARC Intercoolers, in terms of size, but yes its quite typical to modifiy the stock ducts to ensure airflow is channeled over the entire intercooler surface. Some Aftermarket intercoolers have aftermarket ducts also available.

 

The series 2 onwards Z's have vents cut into the underside of the Undertray, that allow the exit of airflow from the intercoolers.

 

Some have also modified the Archliners with vents...however your fighting against higher air pressure in this area and its likely airflow would not be able to escape through these vents at speed.

Legrath, thanks you are a star :bow:

 

Mine's a series 2 so I'll have to have a look at the undertray and see what I can do with the arch liners. :clap:

I have front venturi ducts in place of my fogs, removed the carbon canister, removed my expansion tank, and relocated my washer bottle. Also, i have cut the inner linning away so not to trap any airflow from the smic. hth.

 

Al.

that sure does help, thanks Al. Might aswell do all that whilst the bumper is off :thumbup:

 

when you say cut the lining away, have you meshed it instead?

I removed the ducts when I fitted my pace intercoolers :S maybe its time to look at fitting them back again somehow....

Arc coolers are very very good. Certainly before the likes of Ash and Z1 Coolers they were shown to be the most efficient :-)

 

For my ducts, i made hard cardboard templates to go from the very top and sides of my new coolers, trial fitted with bumper on/off and from under the car. Once happy I made the same in alloy in 2 peices and tacked together, then sealed any joins. This part was all quite cheap to do and really fairly easy.

However i do like subtle pieces of carbon fibre and buying genuine half mill sheets that i then cut down, deffo was not cheap! i then used paper internal templates as i didn't wanna get it wrong, sealed on the carbon once cut and sealed any joins in black silicone.

Now any air that enters the front bumper duct can only go over the face of the cooler.

Pics give you a rough idea. If you do it in alloy and keep it neat, you can then simply paint the inside to suit, job done!

smithy

 

 

that last picture is great! and such a neat job. I'm gonna have to get creative. Smithy - what have you done on the rear side of the intercooler - anything?

Edited February 15, 201015 yr by Baz

Be creative mate, making the actual ducts themselves is cheap and fairly easy, the final finish can be something that is unique if you wish! Polished or Chrome would look good me thinks :punk:

Well at the mo, i've no trays underneath or arch liner directly behind cooler section.

However when i put the liner back, i will be doing a vent section behind the cooler area, but that will be it like, no other plans.

Cheers

Smithy

Edited February 15, 201015 yr by Smithy

what do I do about moving the washer bottle and expansion bottle? relocate the existing bottles elsewhere? or change them for smaller alternatives and put them somewhere out the way? I was going to change the washer bottle anyway as the headlamp washers dont work so the system may come out to save weight :lol:

Hey Baz,

I cut away the inner lining directly behind the smic (approx half of the entire front face) to allow any air that may come through. I cut them insitu, with some tin-snips. I removed the expansion tank. I have an ASI large core rad, so i thought, no need for the expansion tank!! I removed the washer bottle and got myself a 1ltr chemical plastic bottle from my work, and fitted the motor to the bottom and located it under the nose panel. (rear wiper has been deleted). I now have good airflow to the whole face of my Godspeed smic's and good after-flow too.

 

I will post some pics up if you like.

 

Al.

Yes please Al if you have some pics that would be great, very helpful indeed :bow:

I will post 'em up tomorrow matey, if thats ok. (some are not that good tho)

 

Al.

Yep no problems... I wasn't going to do it tonight :tt2:

 

I also see you have modified the vents in the front bumper - nice job :thumbup:

Hey Baz,

 

You can see the white bottle with the black top, this is my new washer bottle.(Small, but usable).

The inner linning is simply cut away, but leaving the edges on where it attaches to the car body.

 

 

 

 

 

Al.

thats great Al, thanks :bow:

 

How do you get the motor fitted into the washer bottle though? was that easy? I did a bit more on mine after work today, removed the expansion tank and carbon canister, just need to sort the washer bottle out next. Gonna remove the standard BOVs whilst the bumper is off and bung them up. Then get some spot light vents, alter the bumper vents, and sort the new ducting out! Then fit my bumper splitter before it goes back on! A fair amount of work I guess but hopefully the flow will be far improved :thumbup:

Sounds great matey, will be good when she is done am sure. I drilled a hole in the botttom of the bottle, just under the size of the pump, and fitted it with sealant. No leaks yet and its been on for over a year now!! :)

I can get you a bottle the same as mine if you like, let me know.

Al.

I'll have a hunt around see what I can come up with, if all else fails I'll let you know! thanks again for all your info, really helpful! :D

No worries matey, glad to help.

 

Al.