Thread: SSIC and LIM

Im thinking of picking up a used SSIC kit minus s/c gaskets, but was wondering if I can get away and use my stock LIM for the time being? I know that a ported LIM is the best means but can I be able to run efficiently enough with the stock LIM? Some reasons is that the LIM im using already has both coolant passages and egr blocked off. The other is that I don’t want to fiddle taking the LIM off and replacing the orange-rubber gaskets with new ones as well as drain the coolant and change the oil afterwards.

One idea that crossed my mind was using a router and cutting the LIM w/o removing it from the car. Of course I’ll stuff rags inside the LIM runners to prevent metal and debris from getting in there.

i see, good to know. im looking through the how tos ection for a SSIC install write-up but cant seem to find it. i just need to know what to cut off on the hood latch as well as routing the in/out of the FMHE to the i/c core and/or the flowjet and etc.

also are guys with SSIC using a reservoir at all or is one not needed if using the "T" to free up air-pockets? im an i/c newb lol

if i was going to run an SSIC (which i was going to at one point then sold everything) i would run the biggest most giant front mount heat exchanger you can find with a decent sized reservoir. that is the only way it is going to be effective is to add more volume. without this stuff it heat soaks fairly easily.

The SS IC is a piss poor IC system if I even seen one. Don't waste your money on one of those kits at all, keep your Alky and enjoy better results.

Even with a decent FMHE the SS IC heat soaks so fast and easy its pathetic. I had one one my Black GTP, my Full sized IC kicked its ass any day of the week. It was so lousy it was like it never had an IC. The S/C was NEVER cool to the touch, just like a non-iced GTP. Biggest waste of money ever. I got rid of that POS (SSIC, 3.2 FLOJET, LINES) and found me a good used ILGPC Full Sized Core, GM Pump, Cobalt SS Fill T, and ran new 3/4" lines through out. Night and day difference. I have under $500 in the fullsized IC setup on my Black GTP and it works very well for what it is.

For your setup and the price of used Full Sized cores nowadays, theres no reason NOT to go fullsized IMO. Get a good used full sized core, buy a froozenboost FMHE, and get a GM Pump and you'll have a good, realible, and effective setup. Otherwise, save your money and keep the Alky...

Got some links to some of these items you recommend, Iron? I'm going to go IC one day myself. The SSIC was on my list since I don't care about track runs, just street use.

My girl used to make track runs with the Black car with the SSIC, it wasn't worth a damn for that use either. It heat soaked so easy, i'd just about bet that it was completely heatsoaked halfway down the track. If an IC can't perform for a single 1/4 mile pass, it sure as hell won't be worth a damn for daily driving conditions either. It was a real disappointment I think. I'd say it was one of the most disappointing GP mods i've ever worked with.

As for PNs, what are you interested in? I got a PN somewhere for the pump, I run the same pump on both GPs. Very realible and quiet.

My advice for you, if you want a GOOD working IC setup for street use. Use a full sized core, GM Pump, 3/4" lines throughout the system, large Froozenboost FMHE, and some sort of pressurized reservior setup approx 2 quarts. I've redesigned my personal setup a couple times and I found the setup above to the absolute best, especially for the street. On 95-100 degree summer day crusing around town, pulling over you can put you hand comfortably on the S/C case and leave it there. You can put your hand on the inlet line for the core and its noticably cold. Pretty efficent if you ask me.

The black car ain't this good, then again it ain't quite setup like this one either. Still works good though...

Thanks. I'll look into that when the time comes.

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

The SS IC is a piss poor IC system if I even seen one. Don't waste your money on one of those kits at all, Even with a decent FMHE the SS IC heat soaks so fast and easy its pathetic. I had one one my Black GTP, my Full sized IC kicked its ass any day of the week. It was so lousy it was like it never had an IC. The S/C was NEVER cool to the touch, just like a non-iced GTP. Biggest waste of money ever. I got rid of that POS (SSIC, 3.2 FLOJET, LINES).

Gee, don't I feel smart and special; I'm the poor, and apparently dumb, SOB who bought it!!! Thanks, Shawn! JK. I knew the ssic's were inferior to the full size but still was hoping for better results than what I've seen so far. After hitting the track it only improved my 1/4 time by less than 1/10 of a sec but then again my tune had seemingly denigrated a bit and the car was running rich. In a few months I'll get back there with an updated tune and all and see what shakes out then. I know a fair number of guys over on ClubGP think they are decent for the money and have seen some noticeable gains from them.

okay, i'll just pass on the SSIC then, i was on the fence b/t getting a SSIC for the gtp as a nice safegaurd dd car or get another car, a 'toy' car and stop modding(detune the gtp a bit) the gtp. trying to find a decently low-priced ls1 for under 9K with at least 80K miles on it if possible around my area.

Originally Posted by jims05ss

Gee, don't I feel smart and special; I'm the poor, and apparently dumb, SOB who bought it!!! Thanks, Shawn! JK. I knew the ssic's were inferior to the full size but still was hoping for better results than what I've seen so far. After hitting the track it only improved my 1/4 time by less than 1/10 of a sec but then again my tune had seemingly denigrated a bit and the car was running rich. In a few months I'll get back there with an updated tune and all and see what shakes out then. I know a fair number of guys over on ClubGP think they are decent for the money and have seen some noticeable gains from them.

LOL! I hope you have better luck on your next outting. Honestly though, the core is to small in my opinion. Then again, comparing that IC or other ICs to my custom setups puts many of them to shame IMHO. When you can drive around on a 95-100 degree summer day crusing around town, pulling over you can put you hand comfortably on the S/C case and leave it there, you have a pretty damn good working IC setup.

When the freezing weather goes away, i'd suggest you running distilled water with very little to no coolant in the system for max efficency. Obviously change it up to 50/50 coolant in the winter months. I'd recommend some sort of reservior too, that'll help if you can swing it. If not, IndeedSS had a badass idea for his IC setup. Using the "fill T" setup he used a Cobalt SS fill T with cap, cut out the bottom T section, and clamped the remaining section to the fill T. This provides a pressurized IC system (5psi cap) which should improve efficency too. Just a few ideas to help out your SS IC, every little bit helps.

I was skeptical about that old ILGPC core I bought for her car. Supposedly the SS IC was suppose to be better than that. I found that to be not true at all. It was a way better more effecient core in my real world testing. I found this to be very interesting.

I take ZZPs testing with a grain of salt honestly. I still believe they have the Thrasher Core underrated quiet a bit. They don't want to admit how much better the Thrasher IC really was. But thats my opinion.

When the freezing weather goes away, i'd suggest you running distilled water with very little to no coolant in the system for max efficency. Obviously change it up to 50/50 coolant in the winter months. I'd recommend some sort of reservior too, that'll help if you can swing it. If not, IndeedSS had a badass idea for his IC setup. Using the "fill T" setup he used a Cobalt SS fill T with cap, cut out the bottom T section, and clamped the remaining section to the fill T. This provides a pressurized IC system (5psi cap) which should improve efficency too. Just a few ideas to help out your SS IC, every little bit helps.

Running the risk of sounding like a DA (but then again I'm no fluid dynamics expert), is it a fact then that distilled water has the capacity to cool better than a water/coolant mix?
Is there a thread on here or another forum where IndeedSS has any pics posted on the setup you mentioned?

Water is such a great cooling agent because of its specific heat capacity. There are a few additives that do increase the specific heat capacity making the mix more efficient. Though, these additives are used in very high pressure systems since they don't keep the coolant from boiling at water's natural boiling point. Put it under a lot of pressure and you raise the boiling point significantly.

Distilled water FTW dude! Anytime there no chance of freezing at all (lets say the lowest you expect even in the AM is 40?) run distilled water only. Your 50/50 mix all year long is hurting you more than helping, trust me. Especially with that smaller core, you need that added benefit. Try it out, I bet it'll help you out quite a bit.

As for IndeedSS pics, I checked my Branson pics and I didn't get any of his engine bay (I don't think he was in the show, I saw it the previous day at the track). PM him, he's a good guy, i'm sure if he has any pics he'll hook you up. Just ask him to see his custom Cobalt SS fill T he showed me at branson. Its really pretty slick and saves space. Worth looking into man.

BTW, if you got pics of your IC install i'd like to see them. If I remember correctly PRJ installed it for you. Just curious how everything is ran.

Oh and sorry for the late reply...