Shinobi XL Roof Mod

[Elky72]

I have bought a Shinobi XL and was a bit dissapointed it did not support a 60mm radiator in the roof natively. But I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and change some things around so I can fit one.

First concern is that stock the roof has reinforcement rails running under the mesh. I measured the distance from mesh to the underside to the reinforcement rails and measured 23 mm wich is 2 mm shy of fitting a fan. It appears that these rails do not sit against the roof of the chassis. So fans do just fit in there ever so close.



25mm thick Fan next to the reinforcement rails



Rails cut from rooftop, I have noticed no reduced ridgidity in the roofpanel itself.

However the large section of mesh feels very flimsy without the rails

Cutting them out was very easy. Took top mesh out and used the sawblade from a metalsaw. Just held it in my hand for cutting trough the rails. Was done in like 5 mins



Test fitting fans





Rooftop on again. They do sit against the mesh In turn they give something to support the mesh.



There's about a maximum of 70mm of space from what I measured, would be just enough to fit a 60mm rad in there.

Can't say maybe a 45mm thick rad in Push pull would work too but would be awfully close. Could measure more precise when I get a motherboard in.

One Disclaimer tough: bolting on the rad with long bolts trough the fans will require to have a tapered head. You would also have to taper the top holes of the fans so the bolts sit flush with the top of the fans. Using regular bolts that just sit on there will result in them hitting the mesh. Resulting in either damaging the mesh or not getting the roof on properly.

[unwaxed]

Very interesting, thanks. Do you think you could fit 140 mm fans in there, and a (double?, triple?) 140 mm rad below, if you were willing to cut the roof and make some holes?

[Elky72]

From what I see it could be done. The width of the mesh is just 140mm wide



Maximum You could fit would be 2x140 rad. But will require some handywork to be able to mount it. Easiest solution would be using a radiator mounting plate bolted on the inside of the case and cut out the 280x120 section for the fans. I know Phobya has them, there are probably others that have similar products that I don't know about.

Hope this helps you.

[The_Lanbone]

This is a really great mod. I was pretty disappointed when I saw Tom's review, but it's nice to see there are guys out there who don't mind getting their hands dirty! Thanks for posting Elky!

[Paalandre]

Awsome dude, I got the same case.

Just like you I got really disapointed when I watched Tom's review.

I didn't notice there was space between the plastic and the metal roof, so I assumed it wouldn't fit a 25mm fan in there.

I will do this so its ready when I get my new watercooling setup (its being shiped today).

One last thing. You don't happend to know if there is a way to fit a 240mm radiator in the floor, and still have like 1-3 HDD bays left? I was thinking of maybe welding on a plate there or something.

[airdeano]

Originally Posted by Elky

One Disclaimer tough: bolting on the rad with long bolts trough the fans will require to have a tapered head. You would also have to taper the top holes of the fans so the bolts sit flush with the top of the fans. Using regular bolts that just sit on there will result in them hitting the mesh. Resulting in either damaging the mesh or not getting the roof on properly.

you might want to locate a short button head screw and attach on the first level of the fan and use the second to access the head with a tool.

this way the bolt head will not interfere with the grille or make it taller.

airdeano

[Ru5ty_t00l]

I have done sthing similar to my Raider but I also cut a piece of the roof so that the fans can "breathe" better