Cooling issues

[BoostedFool]

I just installed a new Spearco Intercooler in the front of my Spirit R/T. It is huge and pretty much blocks the radiator. I have a 180 degree thermostat in there but the car still gets pretty warm. I was traveling down the highway going about 70 last night and the temp was continually going up. It was to the high side of normal by the time I got off the highway. At anytime before installing this new intercooler, when I have been going down the highway the temp guage stays below the normal temp range at all times. Has anyone else had this problem when installing a new fmic? Any suggestions on what I should try or maybe I just need to replace my 17 year old radiator?

[lotashelbys]

Do you have the platic lower air dam on the bottom of your rad support? If not I would suggest getting one of them. They are still available from Mopar new and are only about $25.

If that dont work try going with a full length radiator. Also how old is your water pump and when is the last to you completely flushed your coolant system?

[BoostedFool]

No I don't have that plastic air dam, do you think it really does much? I am not sure about how old the water pump is I have never replaced it, I have only had the car for 2 years. I guess it could be original. The engine was recently rebuilt and probably only has like 3000 miles on it since then. I have never actually flushed it, but the coolant is pretty new. When you say full length radiator do you mean one from an n/a spirit can I just plug one of those in there?

[movaldes]

Is there any way of mounting the IC lower?

[xtrempickup]

yes the air dam is that important

[BoostedFool]

I can't really lower it, the bottom of the intercooler is inline with the bottom of the frame rail in the front.

[Shmiggz]

Does anyone have any pics of the air dam?

[Screamin4banger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shmiggz Does anyone have any pics of the air dam?

[Shmiggz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screamin4banger

Um, does anyone have pictures of the front air dam?

[Screamin4banger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shmiggz Um, does anyone have pictures of the front air dam?

I tell you what. If nobody posts a pic of an air dam by tomorrow sometime, I'll go take a pic of mine for ya.

[Runner]

Flimsy-looking black plastic thing, ignore those shiny parts.

[mopar2ya]

Ive got my Spearco on the lower end of the radiator. I will fit. When I had it up top, it didnt overheat on the highway under normal driving, but it would get warm if I was running it hard. The air dam is important at highway speeds, it creates low pressure by the radiator and pulls air through the radiator. If its not heating up around town, but on the highway, put the air dam on.

[lotashelbys]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopar2ya The air dam is important at highway speeds, it creates low pressure by the radiator and pulls air through the radiator. If its not heating up around town, but on the highway, put the air dam on.

Exactly,it was worth about 20 degrees cooler going down the highway on one of my Irocs. I put one on two spirits as well and it looked like it helped by about 10 or so

[BoostedFool]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I guess I will get the air dam then, and see if it helps. I will post some pictures soon of the intercooler install.

[glht_omni]

get a new 180 t stat and drill a 1/16" hole in the lip of it, that dropped the temp n my r/t quite a bit, it will not go over 1/2 on the factory gauge now even after back to back passes at the track. i also have a 91 spirit T1 rad in it with the factory intercooler, the install was pretty easy but the ic is shifted to the driver side some and really needs a front mount ic in it.