My experience with Rotofab coolant reservoir - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jayno20 · 10-13-2015, 05:15 PM

I figured since there doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there on adding a reservoir without an aftermarket heat exchanger I'd put up my personal results from adding one.

Adding it into the stock system was hands down the easiest mod I've done to my car so far. A couple clamps, and a few cut hoses later it is completely installed and ready to go. You don't even have to worry about bleeding it, cause it will do it on its own once the car/pump is started.

So after installing it, I noticed right off the bat my IAT2 temperatures are lower in general, but the biggest difference is how fast they come down after a few pulls. I have an Aeroforce Interceptor and it is constantly monitoring IAT2 so I actually watched it drop from 110 to 84 in the matter of SECONDS. It was extremely nice to see this. I have popped the hood after every drive I've taken (one of which was about 2 hours) to verify no leaks or any problems and every time I put my hand on the tank it is cool to the touch, so I know this thing isn't absorbing heat out of the engine bay. So far, I am pretty impressed with the ease of installation and the seemingly big difference it has made with temperatures. Anyone who is interested I bought mine on ebay for 145.00 shipped. IMO, it is worth it just for the ease of bleeding the supercharger cooling system.

Here are a few pics after install:

Chrispy · 10-13-2015, 06:30 PM

Nice write up and logging results.

Does anyone know if you can install this with the factory airbox?

jayno20 · 10-13-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrispy

Nice write up and logging results.

Does anyone know if you can install this with the factory airbox?

No you can't. Instructions say the reservoir can only be used with an aftermarket intake. One of the bolts that support the tank is a bolt used in the factory airbox location.

AIminiS10 · 10-13-2015, 08:50 PM

Did you drain the entire system down prior to replacement?

Thanks!

jayno20 · 10-13-2015, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AIminiS10

Did you drain the entire system down prior to replacement?

Thanks!

No. Although, after taking off the bottom hose from the supercharger inlet, and the hose off of the intercooler pump, I'd say I lost about half a quart, so I probably should have.

If you're asking if it has to be drained before hand, the answer is no. I didn't drain it, but pulling the hoses off kind of drains the majority of it for you.

WSSICK · 10-13-2015, 10:10 PM

I have wondered if the external coolant reservoir without upgrading the HEX would make any difference. Thanks for answering that question for the community. It appears it is time to get the external coolant reservoir.

Hellfighter · 10-13-2015, 10:17 PM

What kind of coolant did you use with the reservoir , not sure if the supercharger has anything specific?

jayno20 · 10-13-2015, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSICK

I have wondered if the external coolant reservoir without upgrading the HEX would make any difference. Thanks for answering that question for the community. It appears it is time to get the external coolant reservoir.

Indeed. With how easy it is to install there isn't really a reason not to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

What kind of coolant did you use with the reservoir , not sure if the supercharger has anything specific?

Dex-Cool 50/50 mix. Same as what the radiator calls for. I might add a little more distilled water just to help a little more with heat transfer.

Crash76 · 10-13-2015, 11:38 PM

I installed mine about two weeks ago... Got it from lingenfilter... Easy as pie... I used a 80/20 mix of distilled / dexcool with some redline water wetter... I also installed a Ron Davis Rad / Heat Ex / 160tstat at same time ... Cool like a cucumber ... Also the rotofab windshield washer resv 2.0 is super easy as well to install.

jayno20 · 10-13-2015, 11:53 PM

I was thinking of water wetter but I've read some unflattering things about it gunking up the reservoir.

KaBoom1701 · 10-14-2015, 12:10 AM

I've been thinking about the D3 reservoir.

Thx for this info.

EvilZL1 · 10-14-2015, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

I've been thinking about the D3 reservoir.

Thx for this info.

I've been thinking the same but the price is the deal breaker for me compared to the rotofab.

Crash76 · 10-14-2015, 05:10 AM

Can't use the d3 if you get a bigger radiator not enough room I was told... At least with the Davis...

As far as the wetter mucking things up... I have used this it the past with no issues

CamaroI · 10-14-2015, 07:20 AM

I might have one for sale if anyone interested and it's hydro dipped carbon fiber. Brand new with install supplies. I even have the hose they recommend from Nappa. I just haven't gotten around to installing.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-13-2015, 05:15 PM	#1
jayno20 Go fast, please. Drives: 2019 Corvette ZR1 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,471 View My Garage	My experience with Rotofab coolant reservoir I figured since there doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there on adding a reservoir without an aftermarket heat exchanger I'd put up my personal results from adding one. Adding it into the stock system was hands down the easiest mod I've done to my car so far. A couple clamps, and a few cut hoses later it is completely installed and ready to go. You don't even have to worry about bleeding it, cause it will do it on its own once the car/pump is started. So after installing it, I noticed right off the bat my IAT2 temperatures are lower in general, but the biggest difference is how fast they come down after a few pulls. I have an Aeroforce Interceptor and it is constantly monitoring IAT2 so I actually watched it drop from 110 to 84 in the matter of SECONDS. It was extremely nice to see this. I have popped the hood after every drive I've taken (one of which was about 2 hours) to verify no leaks or any problems and every time I put my hand on the tank it is cool to the touch, so I know this thing isn't absorbing heat out of the engine bay. So far, I am pretty impressed with the ease of installation and the seemingly big difference it has made with temperatures. Anyone who is interested I bought mine on ebay for 145.00 shipped. IMO, it is worth it just for the ease of bleeding the supercharger cooling system. Here are a few pics after install:

10-13-2015, 08:50 PM	#4
AIminiS10 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 - #1564 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: York, PA Posts: 250	Did you drain the entire system down prior to replacement? Thanks! __________________ 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 #1564 1969 Chevy Chevelle 2000 Honda CBR 929rr 2013 Focus ST (daily)

10-13-2015, 10:10 PM	#6
WSSICK Drives: 2014 Red Hot ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 147	I have wondered if the external coolant reservoir without upgrading the HEX would make any difference. Thanks for answering that question for the community. It appears it is time to get the external coolant reservoir. __________________ *2014 Red Hot Camaro ZL1* 2002 Victory Red Trans Am WS6 2000 Lt Pewter Metallic Silverado Z71 1996 Metallic Gray Ford Taurus GL

10-13-2015, 10:17 PM	#7
Hellfighter Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sugar Land/Texas Posts: 2,354 View My Garage	What kind of coolant did you use with the reservoir , not sure if the supercharger has anything specific? __________________

10-14-2015, 12:10 AM	#11
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	I've been thinking about the D3 reservoir. Thx for this info. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

10-13-2015, 06:30 PM	#2
Chrispy 11.91 ET Bone stock Drives: 2015 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 353	Nice write up and logging results. Does anyone know if you can install this with the factory airbox?

10-13-2015, 11:38 PM	#9
Crash76 Team 913 Drives: '14 ZL1, '15 Jeep GC, ‘22 Ram 2500 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA, Central CA Posts: 1,119	I installed mine about two weeks ago... Got it from lingenfilter... Easy as pie... I used a 80/20 mix of distilled / dexcool with some redline water wetter... I also installed a Ron Davis Rad / Heat Ex / 160tstat at same time ... Cool like a cucumber ... Also the rotofab windshield washer resv 2.0 is super easy as well to install.

10-13-2015, 11:53 PM	#10
jayno20 Go fast, please. Drives: 2019 Corvette ZR1 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,471 View My Garage	I was thinking of water wetter but I've read some unflattering things about it gunking up the reservoir.

10-14-2015, 05:10 AM	#13
Crash76 Team 913 Drives: '14 ZL1, '15 Jeep GC, ‘22 Ram 2500 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA, Central CA Posts: 1,119	Can't use the d3 if you get a bigger radiator not enough room I was told... At least with the Davis... As far as the wetter mucking things up... I have used this it the past with no issues

10-14-2015, 07:20 AM	#14
CamaroI Drives: 2010 IOM Camaro Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: DFW Posts: 3,112	I might have one for sale if anyone interested and it's hydro dipped carbon fiber. Brand new with install supplies. I even have the hose they recommend from Nappa. I just haven't gotten around to installing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk