Air Box - Intake Modification Lowering IAT

[Doug Nash]

7/31/15
Hi All,

As an alternative to the separate temperature shield that has been machined and detailed on the forum I have done the following.
I have used a item called FatMat. Specifically the RattleTrap Extreme variation. This is a 80ml thick product that is supposed to be 3X more effective than other named brands you see on car shows used for firewall and foot well heat.
With the goal being to reduce air intake temps, after one evening of driving I have found the following. On a 80d air temp night my moving IAT temps were reading 92-95 degrees; so 12-15 degrees above air temp. Before the modification I was running consistently a 124-128 average with the motor fully hot in the 201-204 range. This is 12-16 degree reduction. Heat soaked at a long light or parked with fans on it was a 201-204. 21 to 24 over air temp which before insulating had been +38 degrees.
I've attached some pics. I have used this many times to insulate motorhome generator compartments, etc. I trimmed to fit the parts of the air box exposed to the heat extraction from the fans and rad heat. Even wrapped but did not close the water drain which is the closest to the heat. This product can be painted but is completely invisible from the engine bay. It took 30 minuted to remove the 3 #10 bolts and 2 thumb turn screws, remove the lower air box, clean, wipe lightly with alcohol, cut trim and apply the Fatmat and re-install. I will do more checking on hotter days which are due back this weekend. But for an inexpensive shade tree mechanic approach this has worked to help reduce the intake temps.
1221412215122161221712218

[ViperPete]

Not as pretty, but surely similar results!

Nice job!

[BJG32]

Thanks Doug! How do these results compare to the heat shield? I wonder what doing both modifications would do for temps?

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Very nice result.

Temps are comparable to the DSE shield but I'd be hesitant to compare without a grain of salt as even on the same car I've found different results even driving in different directions.

For reference idling at 3 minutes I was about the same above ambient (not sure how long you idled) and running in 2nd gear at 40mph I was about 10 over. This was after extensive running which allowed the engine bay temps to stabilize, otherwise it would be cooler.

If you want to set up a test with the shield added let me know. Would be "cool" to get IAT to ambient!

Doug

[vegasgtr]

nice how much is it? where do you buy it?

[donk_316]

Couldn't someone just relocate the IAT sensors?

[Voice of Reason]

Couldn't someone just relocate the IAT sensors?

No, because we aren't wanting to fool the PCM into thinking the air is cooler, we want actual cooler air. I considered this as well in '13 and it's just not a good long term solution.

[dethred]

I actually covered the entire airbox and flex pipes in DEI reflect-a-gold. It takes a lot longer to warm up and it's quicker to cool down, but it gets to about 20° above ambient eventually. It's all about finding enough barriers between the engine bay heat to allow the outside air the ability to cool the airbox. No matter what you use, the heat will soak into the material and start heating the airbox. The slower the heat soak, the lower the temperature due to the intake air pulling heat out of the parts.


12232
12233

[BJG32]

I actually covered the entire airbox and flex pipes in DEI reflect-a-gold. It takes a lot longer to warm up and it's quicker to cool down, but it gets to about 20° above ambient eventually. It's all about finding enough barriers between the engine bay heat to allow the outside air the ability to cool the airbox. No matter what you use, the heat will soak into the material and start heating the airbox. The slower the heat soak, the lower the temperature due to the intake air pulling heat out of the parts.


12232
12233



That is Fugly. Functional + Ugly!

[dethred]

That is Fugly. Functional + Ugly!

It definitely helps despite the tacky appearance , and I'll probably buy the heat shield as well. Hopefully that will block the appearance of the foil and further reduce IATs.

[G37Sam]

Oh wow! You guys are going miles for this. Dry Ice intercooler box next? haha

[Doug Nash]

I just looked up. Bought through Amazon direct from FatMat Sound and Heat Control. Cost was $109.99 with free shipping back in January. Keep in mind that I bought a big purchase of this to do some other projects: 18" x 33.5 ft roll of Self-Adhesive RattleTrap (50 sq ft total) w/Install Instructions, Knife, Roller
80 mil nominal thickness with Patented "Super-Stick" Adhesive. You only need a couple of feet if they have smaller options.

[vegasgtr]

Ill buy the 25ft one think its 62.99.

[SADVIPER]

I heared the air sensors are a bit aggressive and their tolerance can be tuned by HPtuner, is that ok?

[Steve M]

I heared the air sensors are a bit aggressive and their tolerance can be tuned by HPtuner, is that ok?

It's not the sensors themselves that are aggressive - it is what the PCM does with the info they report that can be thought of as aggressive (as in how much timing it pulls when the IATs are too high).

And yes, you can alter the tables that control how much timing gets pulled with HPTuners.

[Jack B]

Ideally the sensor should be measuring the temperature of the air, however, the sensor itself picks up additional conducted heat from the sensor mounting. I have put a thermocouple in the air flow and it reads much lower than the sensor. We do not know, hower, SRT may correct the Calc with an offset.

[SADVIPER]

Then this means when the tables get altered, it wont affect the engine or performance it'll only lower the high protection margin.

[Steve M]

Then this means when the tables get altered, it wont affect the engine or performance it'll only lower the high protection margin.

Correct...you are just reducing the safety margin. How much you reduce it is up to you.

[vegasgtr]

12408


Just did mine. I actually (not in the picture) added another layer later on. filled the edge a little better.

[Doug Nash]

vegasgtr,

Let me know if you see the same or better reduction in temps from wrapping all the way around and using 2 layers. The directions say you can paint this so something like a rattle can of black HT caliper paint would work but I could not see it put back in so did not bother.
Doug

[vegasgtr]

vegasgtr,

Let me know if you see the same or better reduction in temps from wrapping all the way around and using 2 layers. The directions say you can paint this so something like a rattle can of black HT caliper paint would work but I could not see it put back in so did not bother.
Doug


will do. It does not bother me as far as looks. my hood is always closed. Ill keep you posted if temps decrease. I am in extreme conditions. 105* lately.

[vegasgtr]

call me crazy.... but today it was 80* and the car IATs were 98 while moving 70mph. it actually seems a little higher? or is it my imagination. tomorrow it will be 100 and i know for a fact it hovers around 115 when ambient is 100* when traveling 70mph.

[Doug Nash]

vegasgtr,

How have you found the temps since? Sat I was driving at 82 and my intake temps showed 94 while on the interstate anywhere between 70 and 100. It was not very humid. Maybe makes a difference?

[vegasgtr]

Doug,

I am on vacation until 18th. I'll be back to test it out. I'll let you know then. I am sure it helps , but not all that much


Sam