Does straightening out bent TMIC cooling fins help?

bluemicamatt · 11-20-2009, 09:48 PM

I just noticed most of the visible fins on my tmic are pretty bent up.

is it worth the effort/time to straighten them out??

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i_c_the_light · 11-20-2009, 09:53 PM

Nope.

Unabomber · 11-20-2009, 09:53 PM

You would need a Cray computer and about 6 years of processing time to determine that it would net you .034% in efficiency that would net you .00000324 HP so you tell us.

fastwrx25 · 11-20-2009, 10:08 PM

if you ever take off the tmic, flush out the inside and outside with degreaser, and use tweezers to straighten off the fins.

I don't know empirically how much it'll help but it does help efficiency. you'd be suprised how oily the inside of the tmic can get if its never been cleaned. The oil inhibits thermal transfer

happs subi · 11-20-2009, 10:12 PM

^ was wondering what to use to clean out my tmic. So just regular engine degreaser?

turb04 · 11-20-2009, 10:17 PM

deluted

happs subi · 11-20-2009, 10:22 PM

Is Purple power diluted? I have a few gallons somewhere in the shed

wrxdrvr · 11-20-2009, 10:59 PM

Of course it will help... how much... is yet to be determined.

Them Crays are starting to warm up.

alohakids4 · 11-21-2009, 07:55 AM

i use simple green diluted with water...works great.

CynicX · 11-21-2009, 08:48 AM

If its damaged enough it will help. If you are talking about just a couple fins then its not going to make a difference. However it does add up. You may want to take care of it now before it gets worse...

bluemicamatt · 11-21-2009, 11:14 AM

Good replies, many thanks. I have an Exacto knife kit with an ice pick attachment that works great to straighten the little fins. Amazing how fragile the metal is, as easy to bend as heavy duty aluminum foil it seems like. buttery soft!

Tomorrow I'm installing a new SS clutch line and will have the tmic off for a while.

About how long should I let it dry out IF i run some diluted degreaser through it? Also, is it OK to use tap water to dilute, or get distilled h2o??

neko · 11-21-2009, 11:26 AM

Straightening the fins might not offer a huge improvement, but it doesn't hurt. Anytime I mount a used one one something (or if i sell one), i usually go over it and straighten them. They are very soft, you've got to have a light touch. Its not hard to do, just takes time...

As far as cleaning out the inside, its a good idea, but a better idea is preventing it from getting nasty again.
IC's get nasty because crankcase ventilation gets routed through the intake, pre-turbo.
Get yourself a catch can on any turbo car, and never worry about your IC getting clogged up again.

dr3w · 11-21-2009, 11:27 AM

Ovcourse it will help... in industrial intercoolers we use tools to undo them to make it quicker.

EX:

reddoak · 11-21-2009, 11:50 AM

Don't run a high pressure hose through it if you flush it out....

As far as straightening fins, it's probably a minor help, if any. But it makes it look a bit nicer to have all straight fins, so go for it.

CKxx · 11-21-2009, 01:09 PM

I disagree with all the "experts" here. If you have a few fins bent, it won't make a notable difference. If you've got 3/4 of the fins bent, then yes straightening them out will definitely help.

fogell · 11-21-2009, 03:56 PM

Even if it doesn't help other than marginally, it definitely helps it look better if/when you show off your motor.

I used to dig the bugs out of mine with a thin knife. While minorly bent fins may not make a diff, I agree with the others on here that debris which can block air flow can and will.

CynicX · 11-21-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKxx

I disagree with all the "experts" here. If you have a few fins bent, it won't make a notable difference. If you've got 3/4 of the fins bent, then yes straightening them out will definitely help.

Who is the expert you are disagreeing with? I think we are all under the same impression as you. If there is just a couple it wont help, if there are a lot it will..

dr3w · 11-21-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CynicX

Who is the expert you are disagreeing with? I think we are all under the same impression as you. If there is just a couple it wont help, if there are a lot it will..

X2 thats exactly what i have in my head :P

11-20-2009, 09:48 PM	#1
bluemicamatt Scooby Newbie Member#: 220246 Join Date: Aug 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: St. Louis, but in IL Vehicle: 2007 WRX TR WRB	Does straightening out bent TMIC cooling fins help? I just noticed most of the visible fins on my tmic are pretty bent up. is it worth the effort/time to straighten them out?? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-20-2009, 09:53 PM	#2
i_c_the_light Scooby Specialist Member#: 88618 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: New Zealand Vehicle: 1990 JDM Legacy RS-RA-GT White	Nope.

11-20-2009, 09:53 PM	#3
Unabomber Amish Rake Fighting Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: This space right here Vehicle: is available for purchasing	You would need a Cray computer and about 6 years of processing time to determine that it would net you .034% in efficiency that would net you .00000324 HP so you tell us.

11-20-2009, 10:08 PM	#4
fastwrx25 Scooby Specialist Member#: 126441 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: california Vehicle: 02 bugeye	if you ever take off the tmic, flush out the inside and outside with degreaser, and use tweezers to straighten off the fins. I don't know empirically how much it'll help but it does help efficiency. you'd be suprised how oily the inside of the tmic can get if its never been cleaned. The oil inhibits thermal transfer

11-20-2009, 10:12 PM	#5
happs subi Scooby Specialist Member#: 200288 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: East Bay Area, CA Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX World Rally Blue	^ was wondering what to use to clean out my tmic. So just regular engine degreaser?

11-20-2009, 10:17 PM	#6
turb04 Scooby Specialist Member#: 61386 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Tha OC Vehicle: 04 PSM WRX Police Interceptor	deluted

11-20-2009, 10:22 PM	#7
happs subi Scooby Specialist Member#: 200288 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: East Bay Area, CA Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX World Rally Blue	Is Purple power diluted? I have a few gallons somewhere in the shed

11-20-2009, 10:59 PM	#8
wrxdrvr Scooby Specialist Member#: 79222 Join Date: Jan 2005 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Canada BC Vehicle: '09 STi Stage 1 Blue	Of course it will help... how much... is yet to be determined. Them Crays are starting to warm up.

11-21-2009, 07:55 AM	#9
alohakids4 Scooby Newbie Member#: 127764 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: HIIC Vehicle: 04 STI Aspen White	i use simple green diluted with water...works great.

11-21-2009, 08:48 AM	#10
CynicX Scooby Guru Member#: 48199 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Maryland Vehicle: 06 WRX WRB	If its damaged enough it will help. If you are talking about just a couple fins then its not going to make a difference. However it does add up. You may want to take care of it now before it gets worse...

11-21-2009, 11:14 AM	#11
bluemicamatt Scooby Newbie Member#: 220246 Join Date: Aug 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: St. Louis, but in IL Vehicle: 2007 WRX TR WRB	Good replies, many thanks. I have an Exacto knife kit with an ice pick attachment that works great to straighten the little fins. Amazing how fragile the metal is, as easy to bend as heavy duty aluminum foil it seems like. buttery soft! Tomorrow I'm installing a new SS clutch line and will have the tmic off for a while. About how long should I let it dry out IF i run some diluted degreaser through it? Also, is it OK to use tap water to dilute, or get distilled h2o??

11-21-2009, 11:26 AM	#12
neko Scooby Specialist Member#: 46500 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Idaho Vehicle: 2004 STi Sedan Now with 100% more bugeye	Straightening the fins might not offer a huge improvement, but it doesn't hurt. Anytime I mount a used one one something (or if i sell one), i usually go over it and straighten them. They are very soft, you've got to have a light touch. Its not hard to do, just takes time... As far as cleaning out the inside, its a good idea, but a better idea is preventing it from getting nasty again. IC's get nasty because crankcase ventilation gets routed through the intake, pre-turbo. Get yourself a catch can on any turbo car, and never worry about your IC getting clogged up again.

11-21-2009, 11:27 AM	#13
dr3w Scooby Specialist Member#: 222318 Join Date: Sep 2009 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Montreal Vehicle: 1993 JDM GC8 STi Silver	Ovcourse it will help... in industrial intercoolers we use tools to undo them to make it quicker. EX:

11-21-2009, 11:50 AM	#14
reddoak Dorothy Member#: 147628 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Central FL Vehicle: 2008 DGM STI I'll get you, my pretties	Don't run a high pressure hose through it if you flush it out.... As far as straightening fins, it's probably a minor help, if any. But it makes it look a bit nicer to have all straight fins, so go for it.

11-21-2009, 01:09 PM	#15
CKxx Scooby Specialist Member#: 33458 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: West Chester, PA Vehicle: 1988 Justy 1.2L 4WD 2002 WRX 2.1L AWD	I disagree with all the "experts" here. If you have a few fins bent, it won't make a notable difference. If you've got 3/4 of the fins bent, then yes straightening them out will definitely help.

11-21-2009, 03:56 PM	#16
fogell Scooby Newbie Member#: 219902 Join Date: Aug 2009 Vehicle: 09 M3 Aspen White	Even if it doesn't help other than marginally, it definitely helps it look better if/when you show off your motor. I used to dig the bugs out of mine with a thin knife. While minorly bent fins may not make a diff, I agree with the others on here that debris which can block air flow can and will.