Anyone using a reservoir for their AWIC coolant?

[metros]

If so, pictures of where you've mounted it and where you purchased it. I'd like to keep it in the nose of the car as that is where the pump is and it would make changing the lines easy, not to mention F to R weight ratio.

Ideally I would like to add a reservoir within a reservoir. The inside reservoir is additional capacity for the AWIC system. The outside reservoir is for packing ice into to cool everything prior to track runs and bring everything back to cool status between runs.

This may and quite possibly could be complete overkill. But it seems like an easy opportunity to greatly expand how long the system stays cold while on track and even get below ambient intake temperatures for short periods.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

If so, pictures of where you've mounted it and where you purchased it. I'd like to keep it in the nose of the car as that is where the pump is and it would make changing the lines easy, not to mention F to R weight ratio.

Ideally I would like to add a reservoir within a reservoir. The inside reservoir is additional capacity for the AWIC system. The outside reservoir is for packing ice into to cool everything prior to track runs and bring everything back to cool status between runs.

This may and quite possibly could be complete overkill. But it seems like an easy opportunity to greatly expand how long the system stays cold while on track and even get below ambient intake temperatures for short periods.

Metros,
I have a conventional plumbed AWIC system.
My system is non-pressurized.
I have a 1 quart tank in the driver's side hump. (highest point of the system)
A 1/4" hose from the tank feeds coolant to the bottom of the liquid/air intercooler.
A 1/4" hose from top liquid/air intercooler brings air back to top of the tank.
I filled the tank 1/2 way and after running the pump to force any air bubbles out of the system. It has held that level for months.
Bob

49232

[Hindsight]

I built mine out of 1/8" aluminum. It's bolted to the frame in the back, above the AWIC, and has a bleeder line going from the top corner of the AWIC to it, ensuring it will always auto-bleed. You want the reservoir in the highest place in the system. The rear heat exchanger is the highest point in the system so I chose to put it there. If you don't do that, the rear exchanger will become an air trap which you don't want. Tank doesn't have to be big so weight isn't a big factor.

Ice tanks are generally only used in drag racing. The ice won't hold up to a 20+ minute track run (might buy you like 5 minutes tops would be my guess).

http://i.imgur.com/Vfut06Kl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Vfut06K)

http://i.imgur.com/w3TJ4Ubl.jpg (http://imgur.com/w3TJ4Ub)

http://i.imgur.com/OCXA2OIl.jpg (http://imgur.com/OCXA2OI)

http://i.imgur.com/0Nb1unAl.jpg (http://imgur.com/0Nb1unA)

[STiPWRD]

I found a used Canton aluminum reservoir on Ebay for $20, it can probably hold a handful of ice cubes ;)
49303
It's mainly setup as a way to fill/bleed the system.

[Frank818]

I have a 3-gal tank which I mounted right on top of the battery at the front of the car. I got it from Schimmel Performance in 2006 when I turboed my VW.

[metros]

Most of what has been posted is really just a fill point or opportunity to work air out of the system. I'm more interested in greatly increasing the amount of time it keeps things cool on track. The ice would definitely not last the whole track session. But the added volume and cooler starting point seems like 2 steps in that direction.

[Hindsight]

You ideally want to aim for a system that doesn't rely on extra capacity as a means to buy a few more minutes before becoming overloaded and resulting in ever-increasing temps. If you have the right size exchangers, pump, good ducting to the front exchanger, and good lines, it should be able to keep temps in check with the smallest amount of coolant possible.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

If so, pictures of where you've mounted it and where you purchased it. I'd like to keep it in the nose of the car as that is where the pump is and it would make changing the lines easy, not to mention F to R weight ratio.

Ideally I would like to add a reservoir within a reservoir. The inside reservoir is additional capacity for the AWIC system. The outside reservoir is for packing ice into to cool everything prior to track runs and bring everything back to cool status between runs.

This may and quite possibly could be complete overkill. But it seems like an easy opportunity to greatly expand how long the system stays cold while on track and even get below ambient intake temperatures for short periods.

Metros,
Are you trying to run an Ice bucket without a front mount heat exchanger?
Or in addition to it?
Please explain your system better.
Bob

Same question for you Frank.

[metros]

In addition for additional cooling of the fluid well below ambient temps.

Hindsight you're right. I'm concerned with the intercooler core becoming heat soaked during track duty and the fluid becoming hot. I plan to wrap the intercooler to shield some heat out. But it's still sitting above a hot engine.

[Hindsight]

Whether the heat comes from the intake charge or radiant engine compartment heat through absorption, it's all the same: heat. And it should be transferred into the water at the rear exchanger and then cooled by the front. That said, wrapping the rear exchanger is a great idea.... the less heat you put into it, the easier the system will have at removing it. My plan is to keep mine un-wrapped and monitor charge temps. If charge temps stay low and in control even after 30 mins on the track, I'll leave it alone to save the expense and appearance of the wrap. Otherwise I'll add it. If that still doesn't help, I may consider increasing the size of the front exchanger (which is already quite large).

I think one of the best things you can do in the AWIC setup is to ensure you seal the front bumper opening to the front AWIC exchanger, and seal the AWIC core exchanger to the radiator (using foam). This will ensure you have maximum air pressure to the core, and will also ensure that when your radiator fans kick on, they also draw all their air through the exchanger.

[Slatt]

You might also consider water injection rather than an ice bath, if the rules you are lapping under allow it. Water injection is more complicated and expensive to install but you get 540 calories of cooling per gram of water when vaporizing water vs only 80 calories per gram when just melting it. I suspect you'll need a lot of ice to last an entire session.