For a change, this mod was done today!


I'm too lazy to develop metal ducts for my radiator / intercooler, so I used foam blocks to close off the open areas at the top and bottom of the radiator / intercooler.





The foam I used is 2-1/4" x 2-1/4" x 42" weatherstripping typically used in window air conditioner installations. It's available in most hardware stores for around $ 7.00





To install it at the top of the radiator, I removed the radiator supports (one nut on each side of the car). The radiator can then be pushed slightly towards the engine, to provide enough space to install the weatherstripping.





The radiator can then be pushed back to its original location, slightly compressing the foam. The radiator supports are then reinstalled.





I did similar work below the intercooler, to seal the space between the bottom of the intercooler and the bottom engine cover.





It's tough to get a good picture of this area, but you can see the foam between the intercooler bottom and the engine cover.


Yes, my intercooler is on it's last legs, its on the replacement list. The next install I will use contact cement to attach the foam to the bottom of the intercooler.


This has lowered my water temps about 10 degrees and oil temps about 5 degrees, over having these areas open.

 

drove it for the first time in over a week. Was nice.

 

I have done this too. It makes a big difference in flow through the coolers. I used upholstery seat cushion foam cut to size.

 

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Fresh brakes, Fresh Tints, new battery. lubed some poly-u bushings. re secured a heat shield. Next step: get a radio with bluetooth (Illinois laws are stupid). Also, researching coilovers and sway bar kits.

 

Sway bars: Racing Beat, ISC Racing, Flyin' Miata

Coilover kits: Xidas, Xidas, Xidas, and then everything else. I aspire to own Xidas one day.

 

Not an Install post, just a part rant, part what I did today.
I'm about half way through an intercooler install on my MSM. It's an Ebay bar and plate piece from DPT Motorsports.


The under engine tray and the front wheel well panels typify all that is bad about plastic. The "reusable" fasteners aren't! The plastic panels are delicate and difficult to get off as well as to reinstall. Also, the electrical connectors are tough to figure out how to disassemble, and also to actually disassemble.


O.K. rant over. Perhaps all of the above parts are light weight and strong enough for the car.....perhaps.
I've become a believer that intercoolers are maintenance items, with about a 100,000 mile lifetime on the street. I'm changing out the old 27 x 7.5 x 2.5 intercooler, which has about 180,000 miles on it for a new 27 x 5.5 x 2.5 intercooler. While I enjoy the MSM, it is a daily driver, and rarely sees extended wide open throttle - and the associated extended high boost levels. The 5.5 will give me a bit more radiator cooling, both from the smaller height and from the fins that haven't been bent over and straightened multiple times.

 

The new intercooler was worth the effort.


I'm seeing lower temperatures at highway speeds. While I did the work, I also replaced the thin strip of foam under the bottom of the radiator with a 2" x 1 -1/4" foam strip, held in place with contact cement. that may be part of the reason for the better cooling, but since it was so much more difficult to replace the intercooler, I'm SURE that the IC was the major reason for the improvement.


Now, I've just got to detail the car thoroughly for the MassMiata meet at the Larz Andersen Museum in Brookline Mass. this weekend. No rest!!

 

Sealing makes all the difference. And the Mazdaspeed intercooler is a joke, so you will definitely see an improvement there. More powah!

 

Part of the reason an intercooler can deteriorate is external corrosion but there is also the possibility of a leakage of oil at the turbo oil seal which would cover the inside of the intercooler with oil. The Subaru guys have fun with this all the time.

Good the see the new one is working well.

 

Today will simply be detailing the car....
Wash
Clay bar
Wash
Polish
Wax
Wax
and that's only the paint!
My Porter Cable will get a workout this weekend!
Along the way, I'll condition the leather interior, and clean the wheels yet again.


Sunday will be the fun day, meeting several old friends, going through the Larz Andersen Museum (antique cars, and modern muscle / sports cars), as well as walking the grounds.


If you're in the New England area, its worth a trip to Brookline Mass. Should be over 100 Miatae in attendance.