Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey
Just a thought, have you verified that the water temp readings you're getting are accurate, with a different gauge?
If those temps are right it sounds like a recipe for another blown engine before long. Do you have a good air path from the nose through the radiator? Top & sides around it sealed off to promote more airflow through it? Can you relocate the oil cooler somewhere else?
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Well, the water temp gauge is relatively new, and it's not an el-cheapo gauge, and it matches the temps read by the ECU (or at least the fans kick on at 205 on the gauge which is what temp I think the ECU turns them on at). I drilled and tapped the water cross-over pipe on the block, which is where the stock gauge sender also is and I believe should be one of the hottest places to read from. I've got the factory undertray... but Kevin actually mentioned that he had one of the newer generation undertrays he could loan me to see if the longer tray creates more negative pressure under the car. So that might help a little.
I spent a lot of time trying to address radiator airflow. I blocked off the hood scoop so it wouldn't pressurize the engine bay (though that's now replaced with a hood that's got an extractor right over the radiator). I've got an aftermarket shroud on the top of the radiator, and I made my own side shrouds that prevent air leaking around the radiator since the A/C condenser was removed. The bumper seals to the FMIC, so there's not a lot room for improvement, aside from a splitter or an actual air box extending from the bumper to really collect the air.
The oil cooler is kinda too large to go anywhere but in front. I could possibly relocate it to the LF fender with some great effort, but getting proper airflow to and from it would be a challenge. Though, that may be the last thing I can try that won't cost me $4000 to buy a V-mount setup. I'm really trying not to spend any significant money on the WRX since I'm probably going to part it out and put my effort into tracking the Miata instead.