SMIC VENT MOD... Whos done it??

[GTI POLO]

Hi,

In an effort to help out the SMIC, I purchased a few vents from Bunnings ($13.95), removed the platic piece from the drivers side wheel arch, cut out the hole and bolted up the vents... replaced it all...

Would this vent mod help out the SMIC from heat soak.. Give a little more air flow?

I have APR program and APR downpipe..

What are the opinions?

[leasaunce]

id say yes but very tiny. im pretty sure VW has done their best....if not then they SUX!

[pixl]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you're tracking your car (or driving like a damn idiot on the road) heak soak is not going to be a problem on the stock SMIC right?

[DaveMack]

Shaneth is the man to talk to ... he did the first one in Queensland and, I'm guessing here, would probably have the most experience.

Something else to consider is ... FMIC (of course) ... but that's considerably more bux. (APR, Forge, other after-market)

Dave

[Sharkie]

After 20mins in traffic heatsoak will affect any car and the SMIC Polo's suffer terribly from it. It has nothing to do with what you do to the car (ie track) as it is a result of the engine running and lack of airflow.

Rhys' car demonstrated really well on the dyno that power will drop from 123kw atw to 100kw atw due to heatsoak after a while running.

Even cars with FMIC's will suffer if standing still, however once on the move the effect is almost zero.

[Sharkie]

Also the vents for the SMIC will improve airflow and will be of some benefit. It is however still no match for a FMIC.

[JustCruisn]

I did this on my MK4 Golf years ago and I think it helps a bit. Audi have vents there so there must be something to gain.
Just have to keep up the black paint as the crap coming off the wheel strips it back to white.

[marko]

Maybe a dumb question but when you say SMIC does that stand for sub mount intercooler? So where exactly is the intercooler mounted?

[Sharkie]

SMIC = side mounted intercooler

Its mounted behind the right hand side foglight and is quite small and does not seem to get decent airflow. The vents, fitted behind it in the wheelarch will definately improve airflow through the intercooler and is worth the few $$ it costs.

FMIC = front mounted intercooler

It sits behind the bottom front grill directly in the airflow and gets nice cold air all the time. It is a great upgrade but can be costly.

Here is a picture comparing the std SMIC and a typical FMIC for the Polo

[572]

For further understanding here's a shot of intercooler fitted (thanks to shaneth for the photo):



Original discussion thread

I plan doing this 'mod' next week while I've got time off work. It's easy enough to do and I have no intention of getting a FMIC in the near future.

[marko]

Ahhh, thanks guys!

[RhysQ]

Kai also did this mod a bloody long time ago. i can't remember exactly what he said about it but im sure he said it does have a positive affect. to what extent im not too sure though...

[GTI POLO]

If been driving it for a couple of days... No noticable difference with and with out vents...

Im sure it wont hurt doing this mod..

[jamesatfish]

I've performed a similar mod on my Polo - I didn't buy vents for the wheel arches but rather drilled a grid of 6mm holes in the back of (both) arches. I know the SMIC is only on the driver's side but I like symmetry.

I've also reworked the front lower grille to remove the fog lamp and allow more air to flow to the SMIC.

At the moment I've got the VChecker sitting on the dash waiting for another hot day so I can keep an eye on the intake temps with this setup. If it reaches 25+ degrees on a Sunday sometime soon I'll try a short drive with the vents (front and rear) covered over and another with the venting holes in place, and see if the intake temps change at all.

I'm not convinced that it will make a huge difference but it is certainly a step (albeit small) in the right direction.