MR2 Intercooler Tech - Shrouded fan, when do you want it on?

[Wildcard]

One of my new purchases is a Spearco 'hybrid' sidemount IC for the MR2. Surprisingly the kit comes with a boost switched relay intended to turn the fan on above 5psi. Attached is the photo of the IC which you can see is shrouded against heat from the engine bay with only the fan opening allowing air movement. The fan is off in the picture. This shrouding would appear to be good at stopping heatsoak at low speeds but I imagine at higher speeds would present a flow problem.

Anyway....

My question is simply - what are your opinions on retaining this setup? The other option is to tap into the engine bay temp sensor used to activate the stock fan, this seems the more efficient approach to me - to stop heatsoak when it occurs rather than just fighting the temps when your on boost.

[KiwiMR2]

Intresting....I have a Greddy one on the way from Japan, have been looking into fans & shrouds for a while as well. Either way I'd be intrested to find out how you get on.......I would have thought it would have been easiest to tap the new fan into the same system as the factory one??

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[Wildcard]

Agreed, thats why I'm wondering if there are some advantages to the boost activated approach since it would have cost more to include than just providing instructions to tap into the stock system.

[KiwiMR2]

Indeed.....calling Fivebob or Nemesis

You have 1 fan?? whats the general opinion on one pusher one puller??

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[Al]

Hang on....doesnt the Spearco fan draw air through the ic into the engine bay?

[KiwiMR2]

Hang on....doesnt the Spearco fan draw air through the ic into the engine bay?

Yep....why?

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[anthonym]

Based on my experience, switching the fan on and off according to boost would be pointless. If you care, switch it based on a temperature probe in the intercooler inlet, otherwise leave it running all the time.

[Wildcard]

Which begs the question, whats the life expectancy of a decent fan?

[This is an 8" 'Turbo' SPAL fan].

Thanks

[dohca]

depends, most computer fans "long life" have a 10,000hour MTF "mean time between failure"

so i would assume anywere between 5,000hours to 25,000 hours continued use

does it really need the fan?

[MrBob]

does it really need the fan?

most definately when stationary (ie, sitting in traffic). Ive found the temp is quite stable when moving, but starts to raise pretty quick when theres no flow through it. A decent fan drawing plenty of air through should help reduce this a bit. BTW I have the Apexi IC with no shroud

Just leave it on all the time. Ive been running the crap factory one continuously for a long time now and its still ticking (although shitty and ineffective)

[mike86ze]

how is the old ic setup? and the new?

didn't take the time to make a conclusion but think these might help

Fan-Forcing Your Intercooler, Part 1
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=2121

Fan-Forcing Your Intercooler, Part 2
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2153/article.html

also relevant...
Intelligent Intercooler Water Spray
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=0527