PIC/Info request

WE3RX7 · 08-11-2008, 07:48 PM

Well I finally got my new ss oil lines to install the FC FMOC onto the GSL-SE. Now this is usually pretty straight forward... however, I'm hitting a snag. This car has a/c and I plan to keep it installed - the extra thickness of condensor and lines, etc for the ac make this install very difficult.

Has anybody put an FC FMOC on an FB w/ the A/C still installed? I'm thinking of spacing the radiator "in" towards the bay a little bit, just to give me an exta 1/4" or so while slimming down the brackets on the FC cooler... its just a really tight fit.

Any pics and thoughts would be appreciated...

warwickben · 08-12-2008, 11:35 AM

my car sa came with ac and a fmoc. the ac condenser was in front of the radiator. so i didnt have to deal with these problems. if you could post pics of what you have now maybe we could help you out better.

WE3RX7 · 08-12-2008, 01:10 PM

The SA cars had smaller radiators though.

I honestly couldnt find anybody who's done an FC FMOC swap on an SE with AC, lol.

I'll snap some pics tonight if I can remember to do so. I honestly think I may just move the FMOC to be behind the radiator for now and then modify the underpan to direct airflow to it.

We'll see...

warwickben · 08-12-2008, 03:56 PM

well i was looking in one of pdf books i have about rx7. iam going to try to describe my idea the best i can. mount in it the nose of the car, you know that panel between the headlights have it at a good angel so it wount block all the air flow for the rad.

WE3RX7 · 08-14-2008, 08:40 PM

I figured it out. Its tight with all the A/C lines and such, but its in there. It requires cutting the drivers side radiator support though to accomodate the FC lines...

warwickben · 08-15-2008, 06:58 AM

pics or it didnt happen. jk. but can you post pics i love seeing people mod there cars.

Rogue_Wulff · 08-15-2008, 07:16 AM

When I installed a FC FMOC in my 83, I mounted it to the round bar that runs across the front of the car, a few inches ahead of the radiator/AC condensor. This moves it up a bit higher, and better allows for airflow over the cooler. It also allowed for the AC to remain intact, a somewhat important feature in this part of the country.
Due to my chosen location, I did have to make custom oil lines.
I would, however, like to see a pic of the cutting required to locate the FC cooler in the SE mounting location. My SE has a leak at the oil cooler, and I haven't got around to checking whether it is from the cooler, an oil line, or just one of the crush washers. If it turns out to be the cooler itself, I may swap to an FC unit, if it can be located in the stock location easily. My car has been converted to an e-fan, mounted in front of the radiator. The location I used for the 83 *may* actually prove to be a better location, for this application, though.

WE3RX7 · 08-15-2008, 11:24 AM

The FC FMOC will not mount in the same location as the stock SE FMOC. Since the lines run into the FC cooler from the side and top, if you put the FC cooler where the stock SE cooler went - you'll never get lines on it, lol.

I however, was able to just to move it up higher, more behind the round bar than below it. All the A/C lines and condensor remain in tact, however I had to relocate the surge tank for the a/c condensor itself and like I said - it does require some cutting of the radiator support.

I'll get pics later tonight when its all wrapped up...

Rogue_Wulff · 08-15-2008, 12:08 PM

AC stuff isn't an issue on my SE. Everything from the firewall forward has been removed.
The AC on my 83 is dealer installed, so the AC drier isn't under the radiator surround panels, it's over on the fender.
If the FC cooler won't mount in the stock SE location without having to make cuts, I'll prolly opt to repeat the install location I used on my 83.

WE3RX7 · 08-18-2008, 03:54 PM

ARGH! So I fired the car up finally today and the FC cooler I got is busted too! WTF! I finally get new SS oil lines, put the new cooler on, fire the car up and nothing but oil spray.

Its ripped bad - I was pretty upset as I waited two months to get around to buying the parts and doing the work only to find this now.

Pics to come later...

WE3RX7 · 08-18-2008, 08:55 PM

Well after I cooled down a bit on the busted cooler scenario - I went back down to the garage to snap some pics and start taking it all apart again.

Basically, the first pic shows how I ran the lines. The radiator support was cut to fit the lines (not shown in the pic) but you can see the cooler still fits in front of the A/C condensor just fine. I made a bracket (not shown) that mounts the new FC cooler to the old SE cooler location.

I also noticed now in the pic a little oil under the lower banjo bolt - so it would appear after sitting that I may need to tighten that line a bit more next time or replace the copper washer.

The second pic is where the oil is coming from (sorry its blurry - my digi cam's MACRO settting was complaining about lighting) - but you can see its on the opposite side from the bungs. I inspected it while it was mounted, but I'll take it completely off tomorrow for a better look.. my guess is its leaking from the backside.

BTW - that "flap" is just old paint from the previous owner who sprayed it black at some point..not bent metal.

With any luck, maybe it can be repaired at a radiator shop - otherwise, it'll be two weeks and another $100 or so to get a new cooler!

one320fc · 08-20-2008, 09:00 PM

hope to see this fixed soon! I need to drive it before you sell it!

WE3RX7 · 08-20-2008, 09:58 PM

With all luck it should be picked up Friday night or Saturday morning. Putting the new cooler on should only take about 30 minutes now that I've got it all sorted out.

I'm pulling new/now old cooler out tomorrow in preparation. Going to go over everything as well and probably wash the car. I need to push it out of the bay anyways to clean up the mess it made!

Kind of sad honestly - I haven't really driven it since all the work to the 5th & 6th ports. I'll need to take it out Friday night anyways to be sure everything is good to go.

WE3RX7 · 08-20-2008, 09:59 PM

You have a GSL-SE anways, lol - you know what they drive like!

WE3RX7 · 08-28-2008, 07:45 PM

Well its all done and the car was driven home by its proud new owner yesterday.

Here's a pic of the final install. Not the cleanest bracket I would have normally made, but with some heat, bending and $1.79 in steel stock from Lowe's it got the job done.

You can see where I had to cut the radiator support. Since the first installed cooler was a busted, I used a different one where the lower bung sat a little more "off" and it caused me to need to move the upper line up some which meant cutting more. It could have been done differently if I had a spare rad support laying around, but unfortunately I didnt.

Its a tight fit, but not a leak in sight this time! Not shown is I did wrap the line in foam padding to prevent rubbing on the rad support.

08-11-2008, 07:48 PM	#1
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	PIC/Info request - FMOC Well I finally got my new ss oil lines to install the FC FMOC onto the GSL-SE. Now this is usually pretty straight forward... however, I'm hitting a snag. This car has a/c and I plan to keep it installed - the extra thickness of condensor and lines, etc for the ac make this install very difficult. Has anybody put an FC FMOC on an FB w/ the A/C still installed? I'm thinking of spacing the radiator "in" towards the bay a little bit, just to give me an exta 1/4" or so while slimming down the brackets on the FC cooler... its just a really tight fit. Any pics and thoughts would be appreciated...

08-15-2008, 06:58 AM	#6
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	pics or it didnt happen. jk. but can you post pics i love seeing people mod there cars. __________________

08-18-2008, 08:55 PM	#11
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	Well after I cooled down a bit on the busted cooler scenario - I went back down to the garage to snap some pics and start taking it all apart again. Basically, the first pic shows how I ran the lines. The radiator support was cut to fit the lines (not shown in the pic) but you can see the cooler still fits in front of the A/C condensor just fine. I made a bracket (not shown) that mounts the new FC cooler to the old SE cooler location. I also noticed now in the pic a little oil under the lower banjo bolt - so it would appear after sitting that I may need to tighten that line a bit more next time or replace the copper washer. The second pic is where the oil is coming from (sorry its blurry - my digi cam's MACRO settting was complaining about lighting) - but you can see its on the opposite side from the bungs. I inspected it while it was mounted, but I'll take it completely off tomorrow for a better look.. my guess is its leaking from the backside. BTW - that "flap" is just old paint from the previous owner who sprayed it black at some point..not bent metal. With any luck, maybe it can be repaired at a radiator shop - otherwise, it'll be two weeks and another $100 or so to get a new cooler! Last edited by WE3RX7; 02-04-2009 at 11:51 PM..

08-28-2008, 07:45 PM	#15
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	Well its all done and the car was driven home by its proud new owner yesterday. Here's a pic of the final install. Not the cleanest bracket I would have normally made, but with some heat, bending and $1.79 in steel stock from Lowe's it got the job done. You can see where I had to cut the radiator support. Since the first installed cooler was a busted, I used a different one where the lower bung sat a little more "off" and it caused me to need to move the upper line up some which meant cutting more. It could have been done differently if I had a spare rad support laying around, but unfortunately I didnt. Its a tight fit, but not a leak in sight this time! Not shown is I did wrap the line in foam padding to prevent rubbing on the rad support. Last edited by WE3RX7; 02-04-2009 at 11:51 PM..

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08-12-2008, 11:35 AM	#2
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	my car sa came with ac and a fmoc. the ac condenser was in front of the radiator. so i didnt have to deal with these problems. if you could post pics of what you have now maybe we could help you out better.

08-12-2008, 01:10 PM	#3
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	The SA cars had smaller radiators though. I honestly couldnt find anybody who's done an FC FMOC swap on an SE with AC, lol. I'll snap some pics tonight if I can remember to do so. I honestly think I may just move the FMOC to be behind the radiator for now and then modify the underpan to direct airflow to it. We'll see...

08-12-2008, 03:56 PM	#4
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma iTrader: (4) Posts: 408 Rep Power: 17	well i was looking in one of pdf books i have about rx7. iam going to try to describe my idea the best i can. mount in it the nose of the car, you know that panel between the headlights have it at a good angel so it wount block all the air flow for the rad.

08-14-2008, 08:40 PM	#5
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	I figured it out. Its tight with all the A/C lines and such, but its in there. It requires cutting the drivers side radiator support though to accomodate the FC lines...

08-15-2008, 07:16 AM	#7
Rogue_Wulff Non Member Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 310 Rep Power: 17	When I installed a FC FMOC in my 83, I mounted it to the round bar that runs across the front of the car, a few inches ahead of the radiator/AC condensor. This moves it up a bit higher, and better allows for airflow over the cooler. It also allowed for the AC to remain intact, a somewhat important feature in this part of the country. Due to my chosen location, I did have to make custom oil lines. I would, however, like to see a pic of the cutting required to locate the FC cooler in the SE mounting location. My SE has a leak at the oil cooler, and I haven't got around to checking whether it is from the cooler, an oil line, or just one of the crush washers. If it turns out to be the cooler itself, I may swap to an FC unit, if it can be located in the stock location easily. My car has been converted to an e-fan, mounted in front of the radiator. The location I used for the 83 may actually prove to be a better location, for this application, though.

08-15-2008, 11:24 AM	#8
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	The FC FMOC will not mount in the same location as the stock SE FMOC. Since the lines run into the FC cooler from the side and top, if you put the FC cooler where the stock SE cooler went - you'll never get lines on it, lol. I however, was able to just to move it up higher, more behind the round bar than below it. All the A/C lines and condensor remain in tact, however I had to relocate the surge tank for the a/c condensor itself and like I said - it does require some cutting of the radiator support. I'll get pics later tonight when its all wrapped up...

08-15-2008, 12:08 PM	#9
Rogue_Wulff Non Member Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 310 Rep Power: 17	AC stuff isn't an issue on my SE. Everything from the firewall forward has been removed. The AC on my 83 is dealer installed, so the AC drier isn't under the radiator surround panels, it's over on the fender. If the FC cooler won't mount in the stock SE location without having to make cuts, I'll prolly opt to repeat the install location I used on my 83.

08-18-2008, 03:54 PM	#10
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	ARGH! So I fired the car up finally today and the FC cooler I got is busted too! WTF! I finally get new SS oil lines, put the new cooler on, fire the car up and nothing but oil spray. Its ripped bad - I was pretty upset as I waited two months to get around to buying the parts and doing the work only to find this now. Pics to come later...

08-20-2008, 09:00 PM	#12
one320fc one Apex @ a time Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Culpeper VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 272 Rep Power: 17	hope to see this fixed soon! I need to drive it before you sell it!

08-20-2008, 09:58 PM	#13
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	With all luck it should be picked up Friday night or Saturday morning. Putting the new cooler on should only take about 30 minutes now that I've got it all sorted out. I'm pulling new/now old cooler out tomorrow in preparation. Going to go over everything as well and probably wash the car. I need to push it out of the bay anyways to clean up the mess it made! Kind of sad honestly - I haven't really driven it since all the work to the 5th & 6th ports. I'll need to take it out Friday night anyways to be sure everything is good to go.

08-20-2008, 09:59 PM	#14
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	You have a GSL-SE anways, lol - you know what they drive like!