Water-air intercooler setup

[dmention7]

So, I've pretty much set my mind on rigging up a water-air intercooler setup for my mazdaspeed protege sometime this spring. I've come to grips with the fact that it's never going to be "fast" so I might as well try something different--I only know of 1 or 2 MSP's with a water-air setup.

Anyways, I've been using this kit as a template/starting point, and figuring on a budget of $500 or so. Now I'd just as soon order everything through you guys, if you can get the parts in the ballpark I'm looking at, especially since I might need some brackets fabbed up and whatnot.

I'd be happy to stop in and chat with someone about it, but I didn't want to bug ya'll if my budget is unreasonable... lol Also, I think Tom (mndsm) was considering a water-air setup as well.

 

[maperformance]

Hi sir is this car a daily driver? If so I would honestly not recommend that type of intercooler. Unless you can constantly drive around with ice and cold water.

 

[Picklz]

Some people stop at the gas station every morning for a cup of coffee, Jay will be stopping for a bag of ice lol.

 

[Slim]

I can see it now. Everyone on a cruise through twisty roads, rolling through the gears, enjoying the scenery and the breeze coming through the window.

And Jay pulled over, hood up, dumping ice and water in as we all fly by...

 

[dmention7]

Yes, it's a DD. And, I really hadn't planned on using an icewater tank, just a good-sized radiator with a fan. I'll probably defer to your wisdom here, but the couple of examples I've researched with people using a similar setup on a MS3 and MSP didn't complain of any issues with cooling And the short piping and low pressure drop cores sounded pretty attractive. That, and the itch to try something different.

But hey, I've had sillier ideas before so it won't hurt my feelings if you think I should drop this one and just get a FMIC. lol


EDIT after seeing Matt and Tim's posts: GTFO my thread, haterz!

 

[AJ]

Put an ice maker in the corner of the trunk next to a big ass tank of water. This will also help for ice on hand during cruises and camping trips!

 

[DrWebster]

Ice? C'mon, you all aren't thinking high-tech enough. CO2 is the way to go; all he has to do is mount a fire extinguisher under the hood with a remote release!

And for those REALLY hot days, liquid nitrogen...

 

[spek1098]

Put an ice maker in the corner of the trunk next to a big ass tank of water. This will also help for ice on hand during cruises and camping trips!

Add a blender and you'll have the best mobile bar mod ever.

 

[mndsm]

He shoulda kept the subwoofer in it to get the ladies jumpin while he's pourin the daquiris!

 

[dmention7]

This thread makes baby jeebus cry. Chris, Bill... I'm sorry to have inflicted such nonsense on your section of the forum! lol

 

[mndsm]

Seriously, I talked to chris about it, and he said it wasn't a horrible idea. You can run coolant on the regular, and run a wire/line through a bonus box when you need the extra cooling for the track, which totally made sense to me. Just fill the box with ice, race, and drain when you don't need it, and run a normal coolant mix in the regular core and whatnot.

 

[dmention7]

See, and that's pretty much the potential setup I had in mind.

 

[mazdamn02]

This is not sounding like anti-weight reduction mod. What's the rule of thumb? 100lbs = 1/10th second on the 1/4 mile?

 

[dmention7]

If the core/radiator setup weighed even 40lb when full of water, I'd be surprised. At least for the size I'd need.

If one used a couple gallon icewater tank for drag-racing, you're adding a bit more weight, but you get the benefit of potentially running sub-ambient charge temps.

 

[maperformance]

It is definitely not a horrible idea at all. It well lets just say takes a bit more maintaining that air to air. none the less you eventually do have to add ice or whatever chemical you are using to keep it cold.