2 Factory Heat Exchangers??? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LaN- · 07-07-2020, 08:01 AM

Did an LSA conversation not to long ago and are looking at upgrading my cooling system. While doing research I found the normal upgrades, but figured I'd post this here just to get some input.

Since the factory heat exchanger is so cheap ($135 new) what if you stacked 2 factory exchangers and put a Y in before and after. I know getting the AFCO unit would more than likely be better, but maybe this could be a budget alternative.

Thoughts??

gtstorey · 07-07-2020, 08:14 AM

Likely more friction loss on the coolant, requiring more pump to move the coolant at the same speed (and coolant speed is important). I would guess less air flow through two stacked heat exchangers. Likely much harder to bleed the air out. I say proceed with caution.

LaN- · 07-07-2020, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstorey

Likely more friction loss on the coolant, requiring more pump to move the coolant at the same speed (and coolant speed is important). I would guess less air flow through two stacked heat exchangers. Likely much harder to bleed the air out. I say proceed with caution.

I know the bosch pump isn't as good as the factory ZL1 unit, but its only $100 so maybe put 1 before and 1 after.

I'm not saying i'm going to move forward with the project, just trying to think outside the box.

Bosch Pump > Y fitting > 2 factory HX > Y fitting > Bosch Pump

hammdo · 07-07-2020, 08:41 AM

I did 3 (2 small and a Ron Davis) and have 2 varimax pumps on opposite sides. It works good but it’s a lot of extra work. I was road racing at the time and it did help. Looked into stacking OEM but decided to try my approach...

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...385577&page=76

I also added a Roush coolant reservoir to improve capacity...

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showp...postcount=1749

-Don

gtstorey · 07-07-2020, 10:33 AM

I'm not sure I would put them in parallel if you do it, it might cause very uneven flow if you aren't real careful on your plumbing. I'm not sure how to plumb them is series though.

I used the Bosch Pump and a Varimax pump with a AFCO heat exchanger, one pump before and one after the heat exchanger.

What ever way you go, I would make sure you add air bleed points at the heat exchangers, have one welded to the AFCO unit. I had a lot of trouble getting the air bled from mine.

hammdo · 07-07-2020, 08:36 PM

I have a snap-on bleeder — that works wonders!

-Don

gtstorey · 07-09-2020, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammdo

I have a snap-on bleeder — that works wonders!

-Don

Are you talking about a vacuum bleeder? That's what I finally did also.

hammdo · 07-09-2020, 09:46 AM

Yep!

The only real way to bleed them...

-Don

07-07-2020, 08:01 AM	#1
LaN- Drives: 2014 SS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 175	2 Factory Heat Exchangers??? Did an LSA conversation not to long ago and are looking at upgrading my cooling system. While doing research I found the normal upgrades, but figured I'd post this here just to get some input. Since the factory heat exchanger is so cheap ($135 new) what if you stacked 2 factory exchangers and put a Y in before and after. I know getting the AFCO unit would more than likely be better, but maybe this could be a budget alternative. Thoughts?? __________________ Engine: LSA Conversion, Ported Heads, 1 7/8 headers, VMS 2.5 Cam, Roto Fab intake, ADM Scoop. BMR engine mounts, 3.91 628/525 Suspension: Koni orange, (BMR everything) 1" drop springs, toe rods, trailer arms, non adjustable LCR, FE4 sway bars, sub frame connectors, delrin sub frame bushing and upper control arm bushings. Front bushings.

07-07-2020, 08:41 AM	#4
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,694 View My Garage	I did 3 (2 small and a Ron Davis) and have 2 varimax pumps on opposite sides. It works good but it’s a lot of extra work. I was road racing at the time and it did help. Looked into stacking OEM but decided to try my approach... https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...385577&page=76 I also added a Roush coolant reservoir to improve capacity... https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showp...postcount=1749 -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

07-07-2020, 08:36 PM	#6
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,694 View My Garage	I have a snap-on bleeder — that works wonders! -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

07-09-2020, 09:46 AM	#8
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,694 View My Garage	Yep! The only real way to bleed them... -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

07-07-2020, 08:14 AM	#2
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	Likely more friction loss on the coolant, requiring more pump to move the coolant at the same speed (and coolant speed is important). I would guess less air flow through two stacked heat exchangers. Likely much harder to bleed the air out. I say proceed with caution.

07-07-2020, 10:33 AM	#5
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	I'm not sure I would put them in parallel if you do it, it might cause very uneven flow if you aren't real careful on your plumbing. I'm not sure how to plumb them is series though. I used the Bosch Pump and a Varimax pump with a AFCO heat exchanger, one pump before and one after the heat exchanger. What ever way you go, I would make sure you add air bleed points at the heat exchangers, have one welded to the AFCO unit. I had a lot of trouble getting the air bled from mine.