NZ 300ZX Owners Club Forum

NozMonkeys · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:06 pm Post subject: Running Hot - suggestions?

My little 1000cc turbo van runs near boiling point on open roads so I have the heater on most the time and watch the temp gauge every 10 seconds (pretty obsessive lol)

Anyway I would like some simple suggestions to help it keep the temperature down.

I have my electric draw fan running off the ECU's thermo switch (which switches itself on only at peak operating temperature).
I've never heard any pinking (not to say it doesn't as my exhaust is loud) and I haven't checked ignition timing.
It runs REALLY rich ($50 gets me 200kms) I may have hooked my universal oxygen sensor up wrong.
My intake piping to my mini intercooler gets really damn hot.
It doesn't use water, neither oil.
The thermostat opens (perhaps a cooler thermostat will help?)
I've got an oil cooler that I haven't hooked up yet due to space issues.
My glycol percent is above 33% below 66%.
It generally runs at a nice temperature when its raining/cold day.

My ideas so far:
Add a scoop to direct air at the radiator
lower temperature thermostat
Putting a smaller waterpump pulley on (sounds expensive)

Heretic · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject:

If your intercooler piping is really hot, you might be maxing out your turbo - what boost are you running and what size turbo is it?
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NozMonkeys · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject:

Standard sized turbo (very small) and running 10 pound boost (standard).

It usually sits about 3 psi boost when I'm slowly accelerating driving at 90-100km. About 10 Vacuum when throttle off at 90.

Does the boost usually go up with the throttle position? at about 1/4 throttle im full boost. Its very hard not to boost at all when driving.

I'm not running a boost control solenoid either as the last guy stuffed it. It doesn't boost over 10 pound though according to my cheap boost gauge.

Mungyz · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:22 pm Post subject:

Intercooler stock to the motor?
Rag in intake blocking turbo boost causing massive pressure on hot side of intercooler?

Radiator flushed? correct size for motor? fan correct size for motor & radiator?
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NozMonkeys · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:16 pm Post subject:

Flushed my cooling system.

Definitely no rags in the intercooler piping (if it wasn't boosting well i'd have my suspicions though Razz

).

I brought a brand new fan from super cheap which cost an arm and a leg and covers 3/4 my radiator. But I would consider one that would spin at a much higher rpm.

My radiator looks about the same size as the wagon R I looked at.

My intercooler gets hot too but not as hot as straight out of the turbo.

The intercooler is 200mmx200mm(stock) so its MASSIVELY small lol.

Without replacing my radiator (the current one only just fits) is there any solutions to helping it run cooler. I don't care if it runs below its peak temperature, I'd rather use more gas than over heat it.

Would those finned pipes that you generally find on power steering lines help if I ran those in place of my heater hoses. I practically drive with my heater on everywhere.

Should I install my oil cooler? Hell noes where I'll put it. You've got to see my engine bay. It's like looking at a ZX.

Speed_Freak · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject:

Are you sure you havnt got your radiator pipes round the wrong way? My mate did that on his lexus V8 conversion hilux, use to always cook itself sitting around but open road would run cooler, but still hot
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NozMonkeys · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject:

I've been thinking about that, but just had a look on Trademe and I've got them around the right way Cool

Lurker · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 11:41 am Post subject:

I'd say the electric fan isn't up to the job. You need to have the radiato fully shrouded so it pulls air across the full face of the radiator. Maybe in the interim have the fan on all the tme rather than it comming ononce the engine is already hot

b16a300zx · Stage 2 - ECU upgrade Joined: 18 Mar 2010 Posts: 20

I thought fans were mainly used at low speeds? If it's not heating up idling then it's probably not the fan, I've been in cars with no fan before and it's completely fine on the highway but in traffic we had to turn the car off all the time

NozMonkeys · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject:

The fan doesn't even come on when I'm idling, only once I'm in open roads.