I've read a lot of information and threads on this forum regarding the benefits of a front mount heat exchanger on the SS/SC.

I currently have a 2007 SS/SC with GM Stage 2 with a GM stage 3 pullley. I just received my GMPP Stage 3 kit and purchased Option B (neither has been installed yet) and a front mount HE. This weekend I installed the front mount HE but did not hook it up to the IC system. I noticed while driving that my engine cooling system operates between 181 and 185. Before installation of the HE I would normally see 178 to 183. My IAT2 averages about 30 degrees higher than ambient while cruising on the highway and can get as high as 127 degrees. Before the HE I normally averaged 20 degrees above ambient and normaly would only see 127 after a run at WOT. I assume that the increase in temps is due to the loss of airflow through the factory HE and the OEM radiator.

So the question I have to ask is how much would the HE drop IAT2 temps if hooked up to the IC system. It seems the dual pass will drop the IAT2 approximately 20 degrees (from what I've read). If this is the case it would appear that the front mount HE is not worth the $$ considering the above statement. Temps are a wash due to the loss in airflow. IMO you are basically purchasing a larger resivior for coolant.

I would appreciate it if folks with just a front mount HE installed (no other cooling mods) their IAT2 temps observed while cruising and in light traffic. Granted, you can tune with HPT to set the fans.

Pleas post up some responses.

 

modify the brackets to allow the h/e to sit right next to the cooling stack, not all ricer boyish in the grill. Air acts like a liquid and any gap between the h/e and the cooling stack reduces air's efficiency to pass through everything with the least restriction

 

It can go no further forward nor backwards. It is a 1/4 inch in front of the condensor and right up against the corners of the lower grille. Not sure what you are referring to but the front air dam that hangs down causes a low pressure area behind it which causes the air flow to go through the radiator, etc.

 

I can't really contribute any numbers since I went from 100% stock straight to dual pass/opt b./FMHE, but I will agree with you that the front mount serves as a major blockage for the stock rad and ic setup.

 

It would seem to me that the only advantage to the HE is quicker recovery from a WOT run.

 

Normal crusing on highway my IAT2's are around 110-127.

At Wide open I have seen as high as 184 after many pulls.

I have what you see below

 

you shouldn't be seeing any loss of air flow or any increase in IAT's. That's why that HUGE flap is hanging below the front end of the car. It directs air right up to the radiator/stock heat exchanger and what not.

I'm puzzled as to why you even mounted your front mount, yet didn't actually finish installing it. That doesn't make a lick of sense.

 

SO first of all u r stage 2 with the stage 3 pulley on stock HE?
Thats one of the main reasons u r seeing That high of a IAT2
Dropping down to smaller pulley without the added cooling mod makes ur blower produce alot more heat causing u to heatsoak faster thus seeing the high IAT2s

 

Well, if you want to find out how much it will affect your iat2's just hook it up and see how it does. Why are you asking other people how it works when its on your car right now

 

good catch Fonzi, I didn't see that. Yea, if you are experiencing higher IAT's and you recently put the stage 3 pulley on, then that's the source of your higher IAT's, a smaller pulley. Now would be a good time to hook up that front mount and bring those IAT's back down to where they where.

 

OK......read what I posted. I should have mentioned that I've had the 2.99 on for a year now and on WOT runs most I would see is 12X IAT2s. The idea of not hooking the HE up is to benchmark what it does to the airflow. It seems that the HE does block some of the airflow. I have asked for IAT2 temps for those that have just the HE installed as a cooling mod to see what kind of an impact it really has.
I will hook it up this weekend with dual pass and option B and see where it is at.

 

I didn't have anything to take any kind of logs when I was stock, so I don't have data like that to show. But I can say, that I trapped 96mph before, and added the heat exchanger and a cutout and was hitting 101mph after.