How to get better flow to SMIC?

Discussion in 'Technical' started by JBZ, Apr 23, 2005.

  1. JBZ

    JBZ New Member

    Hi guys,

    I would like to know how i can get better flow to and from the SMIC's. I am looking into replacing the stock SMIC's but i feel the flow rate too and from them isn't very efficent.

    I have decided for SMIC's because i am not going for super hp, i don't want to upgrade my cooling system, i don't want to replace my front bar(unless there is a big advantage) and i want to have a pod filter infront of the radiator. Please don't talk about SMIC vs FMIC!
     
  2. 2TurbosTwiceFun

    2TurbosTwiceFun Temporary Aussie

    Options

    After thinking long and hard...

    I had twin ARC Side mounts on a stock '90 front bar...

    These seemed to flow very well, and didn't look very restrictive, once my front bar came off.

    However, hard pipes (maybe increasing diameter) to the coolers could serve a purpose as oppose to using silicon hose... AND, get some FAT SMIC eg: as thick as a FMIC (yes it is possible:D) you will need to remove the stock "air guides" to fit these. Looking at Inlet Temps and trying to decrease the amount of heat in deg' C, will be the main issue, and hard piping should help in this respect.

    The issue with SMICs is not flow rates (because if there was why would you buy them? :)) But it's more the tight space you are using, which limits your options with them.

    Fitting a pod filter in front of your radiator is the easiest and pretty much only option if using SMICs... Just remove the stock airbox and replace with a pod filter, of your choosing (I've personally always used K&N).
     
  3. DinoZ

    DinoZ Talks sh#t for a living.

    Before upgrading the SMICs

    I'd fit pod filter, upgrade exhaust, maybe boost jets.

    How many extra horses you looking for?
     
  4. JBZ

    JBZ New Member

    Re: Before upgrading the SMICs

    I will be doing those upgrades first before upgrading intercoolers. Will probably be looking to run about 14psi with stock ecu. Still not sure if i'm going to do intercoolers, but want to know how to get better flow after the intercoolers because i'm not sure were the air go's after going through the intercoolers.
     
  5. DinoZ

    DinoZ Talks sh#t for a living.

    not sure I understand

    Air from intercooler comes straight up hard pipe to soft hose to throttle body.
     
  6. JBZ

    JBZ New Member

    Re: not sure I understand

    I'm talking about the air from outside that cools the intercooler. After it cools the intercooler it doesn't really have many places to go.
     
  7. DinoZ

    DinoZ Talks sh#t for a living.

    Think you'll find it deflects to the engine bay & gets sucked out

    under the car. Sort of venturi/low pressure effect.

    A bit of a guess but am assuming Nissan worked that out in a wind tunnel.
     
  8. Blipman

    Blipman Beer hooves totally work

    Actually I think Nissan dropped the ball on that

    the airflow AFTER the intercoolers is pretty piss poor, it really doesn't have anywhere to go. On some Z's there is some venting in the "floor" (I'm guessing it's year specific?) just in front of the wheel but that's about it. If you look at Silvia's and some other Nissans with an intercooler in the same spot they actually have vents which let air out straight into the face of the tyre (if that makes sense), not the best solution but better than on a Z.... I think there are gains to be made from looking at post intercooler flow on a Z as it is pretty average from the factory.

    Ben
     
  9. JBZ

    JBZ New Member

    Re: Actually I think Nissan dropped the ball on that

    So i guess the best thing for side mounts would be to:
    Cut an opening to inside the wheel arch
    And/Or
    Get a new front bar with speed holes or make my own speed holes
     
  10. IB

    IB ?????

    A hole inside the weeh arch isn't a great idea ...>>

    the wheel turning in there creates a high pressure area and will also trow dirt ontp the intercooler.
     
  11. Blipman

    Blipman Beer hooves totally work

    I still think it's better than nothing

    and if Nissan did it from the factory on some cars it can't be all bad.

    Ben
     
  12. IB

    IB ?????

    How about a duct from the back of the intercooler ...>>

    to the centre of the brake rotor? The air exiting the intercooler would feel very cool compared to a hot brake rotor and the rotor would suck the air out.

    I wonder what a "weeh arch" is?
     
  13. J4Play

    J4Play New Member

    pretty sure area in wheel arch is a low pressure zone,

    and would act to suck air through :).
     
  14. Vincent

    Vincent New Member

    Depending on how 'game' you are, you can try this surgery......

    Open the back as suggested by Blipman, and pop-out the fog/indictor lights and funnel the air to the intercooler (note that the intercoolers in the pics are aftermarket monster SMICs). Let me tell you, great flow!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    CheerZ
    Vincent
     
  15. J4Play

    J4Play New Member

    nice!

    doubt there'd be any airflow problems with that setup. arc?
     
  16. IB

    IB ?????

    So why does the Audi R8 have the louvres in the top of the wheel arch ...>>

    if not to let out the high pressure?
    [​IMG]
     
  17. WYKKED

    WYKKED <b><font color=red>2 Much Trouble</font></b>

    A little hard to compare Ian......>>

    The R8 is a ground effect car and you may find the louvers are designed to help "suck" air from under the front of the car by the action of the air passing over the back of them.
     
  18. IB

    IB ?????

    The DTM car may have a lot of aero ...>>

    but it's not ground effects and has similar louvres.
    [​IMG]

    Several years ago I was reading one of the technical racing journals which was discussing the aero of one of the DTM cars. They said that the louvres on the wheel arches were to reduce the positive presure created by the tyre rotating.
     
  19. WYKKED

    WYKKED <b><font color=red>2 Much Trouble</font></b>

    You could be right.........>>

    Does the whole wheel arch have positive air or only a pocket at the top? It would be great if we could get a definitive answer. Particularly one that related to road going cars rather than dropped on the deck racers. It could also explain why Nissan placed the vents in the floor of the front tray and not the back, but then they put them in the back on 200SXs and other models.
     
  20. Blipman

    Blipman Beer hooves totally work

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