intercooler fluid for the 3.8sc whats everyone use? (Page 1/2)
ttt123 AUG 13, 01:24 PM
Just curious what people are you using .. and liking for intercooler fluid for there 3.8sc swaps. Anyone have any special blends, brands, tricks that have used and suggest.

Any input?
vette7584 AUG 13, 09:59 PM
i am using 50/50 green coolant and distilled water. i think it works good. i plan on adding a temp gauge to the system this winter, i want to monitor the temp. was also thinking about adding fans to heat exchanger.
ttt123 AUG 14, 07:09 AM

quote
Originally posted by vette7584:

i am using 50/50 green coolant and distilled water. i think it works good. i plan on adding a temp gauge to the system this winter, i want to monitor the temp. was also thinking about adding fans to heat exchanger.



The temp gauge is a great idea, I didn't think of that so think you! would be interesting to try different things and track the effects. Fans would be nice for city driving for me.
Dennis LaGrua AUG 14, 09:28 AM
x2 on the 50/50 Green Antifreeze and distilled water mix. I did not add a temperature gauge to the system but I do often monitor fluid temps with a digital infrared laser thermometer.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

ttt123 AUG 14, 09:45 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

x2 on the 50/50 Green Antifreeze and distilled water mix. I did not add a temperature gauge to the system but I do often monitor fluid temps with a digital infrared laser thermometer.




thanks for chiming in. I was expecting to see some wild concoctions and ideas from people but just plain ole coolant huh lol

anyone ever here of some validity to misting the cooler?

I've never ran a water to air cooler so I'm kind of just thinking out loud and seeing what others who have say about them

Thanks guys
Dennis LaGrua AUG 15, 11:51 AM

quote
Originally posted by ttt123:


thanks for chiming in. I was expecting to see some wild concoctions and ideas from people but just plain ole coolant huh lol

anyone ever here of some validity to misting the cooler?

I've never ran a water to air cooler so I'm kind of just thinking out loud and seeing what others who have say about them

Thanks guys


Not sure how much gain you would see by misting the heat exchanger.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

ttt123 AUG 15, 07:11 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

Not sure how much gain you would see by misting the heat exchanger.





Ok. Ill stick to the basic triedand tested methods
Blacktree AUG 15, 10:34 PM
The 50/50 water/antifreeze mix will work, but is not optimal. The coolant for the heat exchanger should never reach the boiling point of water. So antifreeze is overkill. Plus, antifreeze reduces the heat capacity of the water. So you could use 75% water / 25% antifreeze, for better heat transfer.

That said, my preferred mixture is 1 teaspoon of powdered dishwasher detergent (for dishwasher machines) for each gallon of water... NOT dish soap that comes in a squeeze bottle. That stuff will foam up and make a huge mess. The dishwasher detergent reduces the surface tension of the water, which improves heat transfer. Also, the detergent keeps bacteria away.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 08-16-2019).]

pmbrunelle AUG 15, 11:01 PM
Antifreeze is a necessary evil to prevent the water from freezing, and thus expanding and rupturing the pipes in the winter. You don't use antifreeze because it makes for a better coolant.

Note that OP is in Michigan, not Florida.

I once put hand dishwashing soap in a dishwashing machine. Bubbles poured out onto the floor, and there were so many bubbles that the pump lost its prime; the pump inlet could only suck bubbles. Somehow my dad was able to bring home some magic chemical home from work that made the bubbles go away.

I think that spraying water on a heat exchanger's fins is a rather indirect way of cooling the air; on my Fiero I'm going to spray the water into the engine's intake ports.

[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 08-15-2019).]

Blacktree AUG 16, 12:28 AM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Note that OP is in Michigan, not Florida.


Good point. In that case, the 50/50 water antifreeze mix would be the more prudent choice.