New to the Forum: FL5 Added to the Lineup

[blueroadster]

I had a 2023 Civic Hatchback Touring (commuter car). When picking it up from recall work being completed, I noticed a CW FL5 in the showroom. We worked the numbers and I got a sweet deal for my new commuter car.

I am not new to this platform as my previous project car was a 2006 (8th gen) Civic Si that was pushing a measly 535 HP /380 TQ at the wheels. I miss that sleeper but guess such a car would be considered "old school" by today's standards.

So far, I am enjoying the FL5 but am disappointed with the inefficiency of the intercooler and radiator. Time to reach out to Geoff @ Full-Race again to see what he has up his development sleeve.

Sponsored

 

[blueroadster]

Other than the FL5 acquisition, I was also fortunate to buy another car recently as a side project (Stock 1964 Impala SS with 16k on the clock that had been sitting for 20 years). Good times ahead.

 

[blueroadster]

Here is a dyno video of my previous 8th Gen Civic Si. Numbers at the time were actually 535 HP / 373 TQ at the wheels on 93 pump and 582 HP /419 TQ using 100 Octane race gas.

 

[hhkb]

Man that Impala is sweeeeeet!
What are your plans for the fl5?

 

[blueroadster]

Man that Impala is sweeeeeet!
What are your plans for the fl5?

Thanks...As for the FL5, I want to keep it stock for the most part. Only changes at this time that I am thinking is an upgraded intercooler and radiator from Full-Race once available and Hondata to unlock tuning. Everything else IMHO is good.

 

[TheFactor]

I had a 2023 Civic Hatchback Touring (commuter car). When picking it up from recall work being completed, I noticed a CW FL5 in the showroom. We worked the numbers and I got a sweet deal for my new commuter car.

I am not new to this platform as my previous project car was a 2006 (8th gen) Civic Si that was pushing a measly 535 HP /380 TQ at the wheels. I miss that sleeper but guess such a car would be considered "old school" by today's standards.

So far, I am enjoying the FL5 but am disappointed with the inefficiency of the intercooler and radiator. Time to reach out to Geoff @ Full-Race again to see what he has up his development sleeve.

Looks beautiful in Championship White!
Just curious why you find the radiator and Intercooler to be inefficient? Everything I’ve read and all the track time I’ve seen never heard of that issue. I still haven’t had mine broken in yet so haven’t pushed it or had it on the track yet. But it’s a very impressive car with respectable power and handles like a slot car .
For some raw power though I miss my Supercharged 03 mustang cobra. With just some Bolt-Ons I had 502 rwh and 547 torque 91 octane.Had to be easy on the launches because of the IRS and guys were snapping half shafts. Even so got her to a 11.8 in the 1/4 with slow 60 foots on street stickies. This was a test run before they kicked me out at Friday night drags for being over the decibel level lol. Fun car no doubt Miss that Supercharger whine to.Second gear burnouts heating up the tires were a blast

 

[ItsMeNickG]

Welcome and dope Impala!

 

[blueroadster]

Looks beautiful in Championship White!
Just curious why you find the radiator and Intercooler to be inefficient? Everything I’ve read and all the track time I’ve seen never heard of that issue. I still haven’t had mine broken in yet so haven’t pushed it or had it on the track yet. But it’s a very impressive car with respectable power and handles like a slot car .
For some raw power though I miss my Supercharged 03 mustang cobra. With just some Bolt-Ons I had 502 rwh and 547 torque 91 octane.Had to be easy on the launches because of the IRS and guys were snapping half shafts. Even so got her to a 11.8 in the 1/4 with slow 60 foots on street stickies. This was a test run before they kicked me out at Friday night drags for being over the decibel level lol. Fun car no doubt Miss that Supercharger whine to.Second gear burnouts heating up the tires were a blast

I am still breaking the FL5 in but can already tell that I have some concerns with its ability to dissipate heat. Past experience (particularly with rotaries), shifted my focus to look at cooling efficiency on every car that I have owned to ensure that priority number one should be thermal efficiency and heat dissipation.

While driving conservatively , I do not like how the IAT seems to fluctuate between 20-40 degrees F above ambient when the vehicle is in motion below 50 MPH. When stopped at a traffic light and after 30 seconds, IAT jumps well over 50 degrees F over ambient.

There are quite a few other threads where individuals have posted concerns regarding heat buildup. Having multiple parallel systems reliant on the coolant complicates things.

Wow...Your 03 Cobra sounds like a beast. It must have been a hoot to drive.

 

[blueroadster]

Not saying that the FL5 has overheating issues. Just that I can see that some components may warrant upgrading to help shed heat in the most optimal manner.

One can see variants in oil & coolant temps when stabilized during driving and how the they go up in stop & go traffic. Temps don’t reach the danger zone in that case but it gives one a better understanding how the stock configuration attempts to expel heat.

 

[TheFactor]

I am still breaking the FL5 in but can already tell that I have some concerns with its ability to dissipate heat. Past experience (particularly with rotaries), shifted my focus to look at cooling efficiency on every car that I have owned to ensure that priority number one should be thermal efficiency and heat dissipation.

While driving conservatively , I do not like how the IAT seems to fluctuate between 20-40 degrees F above ambient when the vehicle is in motion below 50 MPH. When stopped at a traffic light and after 30 seconds, IAT jumps well over 50 degrees F over ambient.

There are quite a few other threads where individuals have posted concerns regarding heat buildup. Having multiple parallel systems reliant on the coolant complicates things.

Wow...Your 03 Cobra sounds like a beast. It must have been a hoot to drive.

Thanks and yes it was fun I would get loose in 3rd just rolling down the freeway and jumping on it lol. But being bright yellow and the way it looked and sounded Cops would see me and make a you turn and either pull me over to talk about it or do a walk around. Got pulled over one time and he said I had expired registration and clearly it wasn’t. He replied “oh my bad “ and then asked if I ever had a chance to open it up I replied yup at the track and smiled . Sometimes I didn’t mind getting pulled over and most of the cops were pretty cool but it was annoying at times so that part I don’t miss. Got pulled over one time because my front bumper was only inches in the crosswalk lol. Had a cop pull up next to me one time when I was in the left hand turn lane he stopped at a green light next to me in the fast lane and put his lights on just to talk about the car lol. Another cool cop though
Another time got pulled over and he said he was just out kicking tires and actually did kick my tire when he left I felt my car shake . Got home looking down the side of my car to see if I had a dent and there was a kick mark on my freshly dressed tires lol.
Any way hope you enjoy your new Type R I know I’m loving mine !!

 

[TheFactor]

Not saying that the FL5 has overheating issues. Just that I can see that some components may warrant upgrading to help shed heat in the most optimal manner.

One can see variants in oil & coolant temps when stabilized during driving and how the they go up in stop & go traffic. Temps don’t reach the danger zone in that case but it gives one a better understanding how the stock configuration attempts to expel heat.

I get it Your just thinking of some preventative maintenance sorta speak and for longevity.

 

[RUNN1N]

Here for the Impala!

 

[blueroadster]

I'm looking and learning...The FL5 now has a little over 300 miles and is still being broken in gradually. The front mount turbo is new to me. Cool for upgrading but not for keeping components under the hood actually cool.

Stock wise, IAT numbers are way too high over ambient. Even when cruising above 20 MPH, I am seeing IAT at the output of the filter box averaging over 45 degrees F higher. One then has to factor in the turbo inlet tube heatsink running directly over the turbocharger assembly that makes intake air even hotter before ultimately being compressed to produce boost and even higher air temperatures. This situation forces the intercooler to have to work in overdrive to expel heat that then transfers to the radiator and ultimately into the sealed up engine bay.

My thoughts on the first upgrade to my FL5 have changed. No dumping cash on an upgraded intercooler or radiator are necessary until IAT numbers can be significantly lowered and controlled. The stock intercooler may actually function well but constantly pushing it into overdrive because IAT is too high may not be giving it a fair shake.

 

[hhkb]

until IAT numbers can be significantly lowered and controlled

How would one go about accomplishing this?

 

[Fanatic]

Congrats. Enjoy in good health.

Sponsored