Was wondering if anyone has painted or put custom graphics on their FMIC. I did a few searches and couldn't find anything. If anyone has done this I'd like to see some pictures. I was thinking about painting my FMIC flat black and painting a stencil on there in the future when I get free time.

 

Painting the FMIC will reduce it's ability to transfer heat which is it's job. Your only option for any kind of graphics will be to anondize the aluminum. Good luck with whatever you try!

 

^ +1, while you likely won't affect the heat transferring ability too much with paint, you should get it anodized instead.

 

If you want to color your intercooler get it anodized. Especially in black, looks sick.

Anodizing actually helps heat transfer with proper treatment. Do a search on it.

 

I'm not planning on coating it on lol. Just a light spray. The ETS stencil that is on there appears to be flat black spray paint. I doubt that the stencil is effecting my FMIC's performance.

 

Coming from a Mech Engr who specializes in heat transfer, doing anything besides anodizing your FMIC to change it's color is a terrible idea.

 

People who think that putting a coat of paint on the first 1-3 rows of fins of a 2" core is going to reduce IC efficiency crack me up.

For all those stating that, how many of you have actually done it & tested it other than repeating someone elses comments off the internet? I did paint my core on my VIII to stealth it out in 2003 and did back to back tests on the temps & HP of the car, and there is 0 (that is ZERO) measurable difference. Maybe if you were going to get into the 1/100 of a degree & hp, but my test tools did not have that resolution.

Yes, if you dipped the whole core in a bucket of paint, covering every fin and every part of the core, then yes, it probably would make a slight difference in heat transfer efficiency. Do some math to figure out how small that would be - you'd be surprised. A light coat of paint on the first 2 rows of the fins has the same effect as having one bent fin due to a rock chip - if that.

Oh, what about the bugs sitting in your core that are reducing your IC efficiency....OMG!!! Call the IC efficiency patrol!

 

Mind if I ask what the outside air temp was when you did this test?

 

It was 6 years ago... but it was hot day. I'd say mid-high 90's.

 

That's pretty much my logic as well. Do you have any pictures of your FMIC that you colored?

 

nice..thinking about anodizing

 

I still don't believe that painting the FMIC made NO difference on the dyno.

It's the same reason people ceramic coat downpipes/exhaust manifolds, to reduce heat transfer. This is the same thing just to a lesser degree.

 

Bad idea.

 

Buy a can of Eastwood black radiator paint. That is what it is made for. Painted my new aluminum radiator in my 72 Buick black, so it did not stick out as bad. Also, does not show the dirt as much. The thin coat of paint does nothing to stop the cooling properties. I agree, if you really cake it on there, it possibly could restrict some airflow but for a nice light spray, there will be no problems at all. I have a 462 CI motor with a radical cam and MSD ignition, so if my radiator was not doing its job my car would certainly overheat, I drive it in heavy stop and go in 90 degree heat and the engine temp is rock solid.

Go for it.

 

Interesting! Id be interested in doing a test like this if i had the proper tools.
Sounds like so many people think the opposite but havent actually tested. It would be nice to have a documented test and settle this.

-Ethan