Hi. Does anyone have any input on creating a gap between the AC rad and the main radiator? I was reading that Old Dragger had done that, although nothing was stated, it was for cooling purposes.
I am toying with the idea of trying this while I still have the front end apart. What say you?

 

Odula sells a half ac condenser

or you could try something like that?
Pic is not so good but you get the idea.


Also check this thread out.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...densor-230305/

 

I'm subscribing and interested on this discussion.
I've been battling with temps for quite some time so the idea seems useful.

Its 35 C here in guadalajara. New rad. oil lines and mishimoto 76C thermostat, tight under tray, really helped for daily driving, a lot I operate in the 85-95 C range now (coolant)
Problem now is on track, high load, high rpm, 3-4 laps and I need to lift as I reach 110 C coolant and get into danger zone. In less than one low rev lap, It drops to 95ish so cooling system actually works, it just can cope with 10-20m of high rpm.

I am a data freak so I since my AC compresor blew up and I still have the condenser I will try to do some runs with and without condenser to see if there is a difference at all.

 

So I am dealing with this now as well. My condenser is pretty beat up and is likely blocking airflow to the radiator. I can replace it, or I can look at improving the cooling system. Although it seems silly to place a high capacity radiator and fan in back of a compromised condenser.

There is another option which is where I think you are going. Compromise condenser performance to improve cooling performance. This assumes you want a functional A/C system but not one that overtaxes the cooling system.

One thought I had was to de-fin part of the condenser. This would reduce A/C performance and improve cooling. As far as spacing, you don't want to create excess turbulence either. I would stick with OEM spacing.

 

If you could log temps with and without the condenser, it would be very useful.
I can't help with track temps, I'd love to though, maybe in the future.
Since the pandemic, mine has become a daily. We did some overhauling with my tuner due to using the car daily now, I believe now I feel ok-ish with hot summer temps and daily traffic jams. From what I've seen on sgii, at around 95f (converted from Celsius) on traffic jam, takes around 45 to 55 secs for water temp to fall from 205f to 187f when fans kick in. On open road it cools down nicely, and on mountain roads I can push it without being worried about overheating. I want to do some more to somewhat complete it, a bumper with larger vents etc etc, a never ending story!
Edit: a/c function is satisfying for my taste, not a fan in general but getting older heat is getting to me so I use it often now, at level two of fan power, condition in the car is humane.