Mini Test Report: Detroit Thermo D5 Top

[skinnee]

Detroit Thermo
Laing D5 Pump Top


First off, I would like to thank Erik (DetroitAC) at Detroit Thermo for providing a production sample of the D5 top for testing purposes. Erik was a pleasure to work with through the testing process and even sent a final production sample for updated photos to be included in the test report. A big thank you goes out for their generosity and the opportunity to test and review his creation.

For the full review, please visit skinnee labs



The Detroit Thermo D5 Top is custom top, designed and built by DetroitAC. A thread on XtremeSystems.org was started back in early September regarding DetroitAC's creation, since that time a lot of buzz has been growing around the use of D5 tops and the Detroit Thermo top. DetroitAC is regular contributing member on XtremeSystems and has been a pleasure to deal with through the testing process here at skinnee labs.

The Detroit Thermo top fits the Laing D5, which is re-branded by Swiftech (MCP655) and Koolance (PMP450). This top is a full replacement for the stock top that we all have become used to on the D5. Aftermarket tops have become standard for the Laing DDC series, but the D5 is new territory, and I am happy to see another aftermarket top enter the ring as a viable replacement to the stock top for the extremely popular D5.


















Configuration Options










Performance Test Results (compiled)

For the full test report of each D5 speed setting, you will have to visit skinnee labs. These are just the compiled results for each speed setting.



















Conclusion

The Detroit Thermo top provides a nice performance boost to the stock D5 top. If you notice in the scatter plots, the Detroit Thermo top provides a slight increase in flow rate over the stock top, all while increasing the Total Dynamic Head Pressure at almost every flow rate tested, only below 0.5GPM does the stock top outperform the Detroit Thermo top. However, that amount of restriction is not a "real world" loop. Anyone with that amount in their loop should really look at adding a second loop, as the cooling performance in their loop is greatly degraded...but that is completely different topic.

Besides performance, the feature that I like most about the Detroit Thermo top is the ability to use the stock D5 mounting bracket or other compatible brackets. This feature allows for anyone with an existing D5 mounted in their case to perform an upgrade and not have to worry about drilling new mount holes into their case.

I only have one very small complaint about the Detroit Thermo top, this was even adjusted in a revision that was sent to me. When using the (UN)Designs bracket the bottom gromet becomes compressed and slips out the bottom slightly, I am almost certain that this was not accounted for in the design of the top. Like I said, a very small complaint and cannot be listed as a con since the (UN)designs bracket was not used as part of the design criteria.

Overall, the Detroit Thermo top was a pleasure to have on the test bench. The performance gains are worth the upgrade, the simple installation and ability to use the stock or (UN)designs bracket make the Detroit Thermo top an excellent product.

[HESmelaugh]

Very nice!

Love the quality of your pictures!

[Aberration]

Good review. I have been waiting for a top, and waiting specifically for this review.

Just ordered one.

[Adderall]

Just ordered one.

Where do you order these????

[Aberration]

http://cgi.ebay.com/DetroitAC-Pump-T...3286.m20.l1116

[Boogerlad]

how did you achieve the nice white background?

[Chruschef]

personally I don't find that pump top very attractive, definitely not worth the extra 40$.

The Laing D5 and MCP655 are the same thing right?(i'm very sure they are.. Just making sure i don't sound like an idiot.)

I'd totally go ahead and pick up a pump top for my MCP655, but the problem is they just aren't very attractive. I love how the XSPC pump tops look ontop of a DDC pump, especially the integrated reservoirs. Half a GPM doesn't warrant an extra 40$, half a GPM + sexy looks warrants 40$ IMO...

[skinnee]

http://cgi.ebay.com/DetroitAC-Pump-T...3286.m20.l1116

You can also PM DetroitAC or the For Sale section of XS, http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=206278

[brewer265]

Nice review. Cant wait to get back home and install mine.

[Eddie3dfx]

I'm curious if a G3/8 tap would improve flow

[Ttocs]

Sorry if this is a silly question, but is it compatible with a D4?

Edit: Nevermind, who would spend $40 on a pump top for a $30 pump?

[jollyjoker]

Thanks for the review.

[Petra]

Good to see data which so closely matches my own--looks like we're both on the right track (either that, or we're both horribly wrong but identically so ).

[The-Fox]

Great Review Skinee
I would definitely buy 2 of them for my upcoming upgrade.

P.S.
Can you elaborate on your issue (complaint) with the UN-Design mount ? as I am already using it and about to use it again with my second D5.

Thanks.

[armeniandave]

It looks like it was designed to have something solid on both sides. My brackets are all made to hold the pump from one side so you would probably have to put a washer on the far side to make it rigid. That's what the problem looks like to me but perhaps skinnee has some more insight to add. I don't have one of these tops so I'm just guessing based on the picture.

[Pellepel]

Nice review Skinnee

[gmod]

I have 3 of these available if yall are interested i will let them go for 30.00 shipped...Never used..I installed 1 on a pump but since they wouldnot let me put the Chrome shroud i wanted to use for my D5's i decided to not use them...So water has never touched these...2 have not even been taken out of the box..

Pm me if your interested

[Nate P.]

I have 3 of these available if yall are interested i will let them go for 30.00 shipped...Never used..I installed 1 on a pump but since they wouldnot let me put the Chrome shroud i wanted to use for my D5's i decided to not use them...So water has never touched these...2 have not even been taken out of the box..

Pm me if your interested

Not exactly the right section, but they look great. Sweet testing too Skinnee, love it man!

[XS_RoB]

Thanks for the review Skinnee! I appreciate your time and efforts! Now I might have to pick up a D5 and Detroit top to tinker with!

[zlojack]

Nice review and that sure is a nice product.

[Apollo4g]

Very nice results!
The top isent that pretty, but it sure does increase flow.

[gmod]

Not exactly the right section, but they look great. Sweet testing too Skinnee, love it man!

thats because for some stupid reason i cant post in the for sale thread..So you have to do what you have to do

[axis]

Very nice results!
The top isent that pretty, but it sure does increase flow.

It's also smaller than that wagon wheel, thus gives you a little more room.

Axis

[Aberration]

Who cares about looks, this isnt XtremeBling.com!

[skinnee]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, much appreciated!

how did you achieve the nice white background?

I use a light tent (also known as a light box) for taking product shots.

Good to see data which so closely matches my own--looks like we're both on the right track (either that, or we're both horribly wrong but identically so ).

I was very happy to see we were quite close to each other on performance data. What I did find interesting is that amp draw on the D5-B seems to be a bit higher than the D5 Vario at setting 4. So, I am speculating here but, there is a bit more difference to the Basic version than just locked at speed setting 4.

P.S.
Can you elaborate on your issue (complaint) with the UN-Design mount ? as I am already using it and about to use it again with my second D5.

Thanks.

It looks like it was designed to have something solid on both sides. My brackets are all made to hold the pump from one side so you would probably have to put a washer on the far side to make it rigid. That's what the problem looks like to me but perhaps skinnee has some more insight to add. I don't have one of these tops so I'm just guessing based on the picture.

armeniandave nailed it, if you put a small washer ( > 7/16" or 12mm) washer between the nut and the grommet, it completely remedies my tiny issue. With the washer, the grommet does not fully compress. Like I said, its a very small issue at that. I remounted the pump using the (UN)Designs bracket and two 7/16" nylon washers a couple minutes ago, grommet does not compress to the point of squeezing out the bottom. Problem solved!