Improving 2.0 /4 stock cooling system Options

[Mueller]

Since my /4 will be under the influence of positive manifold pressure, i think keeping the motor cool will be a major concern.

Since I am on a tight budget (who is not these days) I cannot go to extremes with products like the 911 fan conversion or the dual electric fan setup. My dream setup is a horizontal fan, but for now I need to keep the stock 2.0 FI plenum and manifolds, besides, the bevel gears are loud and rob horsepower and the oil fill housing is in the way for a clean setup.


Has anyone changed the fan? or modified the stock fan for better flow? i know that some have removed a few fins but I thought that was not good for a motor that might have to idle for long periods of time like in traffic.

Can anything be done to the fan housing assembly to improve the airflow?
(baffles, diffusers, vortex generators???)

I know it would only cool the back of the motor, but I had thought about machining the back of the flywheel to create "fins" that could assist in suppling air to the motor...crazy? yea (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[airsix]

Mike,
I was talking to an engineer about this just this past weekend. He said that this type of fan and ducting design is about 90% efficient. Other than plugging leaks, there's no practical way to improve on that short of a bigger fan.

Things you can do:
1) get cooler air to the fan
2) fresh-air intake
3) cool the compressed charge (intercooling)
4) increased oil cooling
5) keep turbo heat out of engine bay

I'm taking my fresh-air intake from the right wheel well. I moved my battery to the front trunk to give me room in this area for the plumbing and airbox. I am mounting my turbo next to the bellhousing on the right side, just behind the upright cooling tin to keep it out of the engine bay. I'll post pictures in a week or two.

-Ben M.