Bravo side water pick up
 

Is there any mods that can be done to the side water inlets on a Brave 1 that will increase flow?
I have a 496 with a Whipple that I can't get to run below 170ish at cruise. It has a 120* thermostat. I am looking to replace the water flow lost going to the engine heat exchanger that is now going to the intercooler and overboard. I don't want to add a transom or low water pickup if I can avoid it.

Do the nose cones with out the low water pickups help with water flow at all?

Tom

Tom,
there is one thing you might try. On the leading edge of the holes put a larger relief with a die grinder, extend it a bit and see if that helps.
Another thing to look at is water psi. Is your drive height too high that the upper holes are not getting water? If that is the case you can block off one or two upper holes and that helps.
I am NA and have a stand off box and block off the top two holes on each side without a problem..
But your case is different, you just need more water.. so try the reliefs and see if that helps..

Hope this helps
Dick

Thanks for the input.
Should the holes be drilled any larger?

For the best heat transfer and most HP gain, you should be running a separate water pickup/source for the intercooler.

a dual water pick up lower will help most. and as stated besides extending you can drill larger and remove material form the leading edge of each hole.

I would go one step at a time.
Make sure you are not exposing open holes to the air with a high X.
Cut the relief on the leading edge of the hole longer and deeper, and then open the holes up some.. all should help, I would think.

Will do, thanks again for your help

Plane, on the Nordic S/C applications I've done I plugged the top 2 side holes and opened the leading holes with a 5/16 drill then radiused the openings. Best thing is to get a water pressure gauge. My Heat ran about 22 psi at wot. If your pressure is adequate you probably need a larger heat exchanger.

Thanks Bob, I'll give it a try.
Another question. I have lightning headers. Will they cause a pressure drop as well?
It looks like sea water goes to the port side header with out going through the heat exchanger.

They could, just depends on how large the water openings are. You could also restrict the water outlet to the headers to increase pressure. I suspect you've got adequate water, just the heat exchanger is too small(if it's a stock one). I know Whipple recommends a larger heat exchanger on builds like yours. You should be able to read your pressure with a scan tool or smartcraft.