Intake heat shield installed - impressions

[dethred]

Let the car sit for a few minutes (at least until the radiator fans kick on) and let everything get hot, and then try doing a good 2nd gear pull right after that (now is a great time of year to try this). I'm guessing you'll notice a difference in how hard it pulls when the car is hot.

I felt it for sure. To me it even sounds a bit different when it's down on power. I can also tell by my standard P Zeros slipping in first gear, but only when the IAT is below about 95°.

[Viperawi]

The first time I noticed an issue was a couple years ago before I even had a remote understanding of how the Viper PCM works. I was sitting at a traffic light on a hot summer day waiting to be able to turn to get on the interstate...when I went to give it hell on the on-ramp in 2nd gear, the car basically fell on its face and felt like I was dragging a boat anchor behind me. If I had to guess, I was down at least 50HP for it to be that noticeable...fast forward another year when I got my hands on HPTuners, and I figured out that given the conditions, the PCM was likely pulling anywhere between 8-12 degrees of timing due to high IATs. At peak torque (between 4,800-5,000 RPMs), the Gen 4 and Gen 5 calibrations call for about 18° of timing, so with the IAT modifier pulling 8°-12° of that out, you are looking commanding between 8°-10° of timing at that point, and that's really low. An otherwise stock Gen 4/5 car can handle anywhere from 22°-24° of timing at peak torque...that's actually where most of your power gains come from with a tune. Additionally, if the PCM pulls timing, it also adds fuel as an extra safety measure, so not only will you be running very low timing values, you'll also be running rich.

Let the car sit for a few minutes (at least until the radiator fans kick on) and let everything get hot, and then try doing a good 2nd gear pull right after that (now is a great time of year to try this). I'm guessing you'll notice a difference in how hard it pulls when the car is hot.

I totally agree, I also believe it's about 50hp lost or so.
Because of the hot summer we live in, I have not enjoyed my viper much for the last two months due to the IAT always high, it's crazy hot in here.
Luckily though, I have bought the heat shield and received it, and what a piece ! you can see the commitment and efforts given to a simple part just to be perfect. I've been really busy not to install it but I will come back once it's done. Thanks again guys for the great part you supply.

[ViperGeorge]

Does the PCM also take timing out if the coolant temps rise? With the shielding my IATs are fine on the track - 8-9 degrees over ambient, but my coolant temps are too high - 243 degrees.

[Steve M]

Yes it does...at 243°, it would be pulling between 6-7° of timing.

[IndyRon]

Steve, do you know what temp the stock thermostat opens/closes? It seems that it is around a 190deg. If that is the case, we are often dealing with 1-2 degrees of timing being pulled from this on top of IAT's. Maybe a slightly cooler stat would be a good investment with reprogrammed fans.

[Steve M]

Steve, do you know what temp the stock thermostat opens/closes? It seems that it is around a 190deg. If that is the case, we are often dealing with 1-2 degrees of timing being pulled from this on top of IAT's. Maybe a slightly cooler stat would be a good investment with reprogrammed fans.

I'd guess around 187° or so, but I don't know for sure. My car regularly stays down in the low to mid 180s just cruising around, getting up to 190 or so sitting in traffic. What I don't know is if the ECT and IAT timing tables add together, or if they are a one or the other type of deal - as in, if it is pulling 3 degrees of timing for IATs and your ECTs are creeping up to the point that it would pull 2 degrees, does it pull 5 or 3? I'd have to do some testing to figure that one out...wouldn't be too hard to figure out though.

[SSGNRDZ_28]

So I got mine today and I think I figured out why this unit is priced as it is. That would be because of all the machining time spent on the logo on the two thumb screws. All kidding aside this looks to be a well thought out part. After looking at the thing I was wondering if you are seeing higher coolant temps after install. When the box is in place it looks as if it blocks a large percentage of the exhaust flow from the rad. fans. Just wondering.
Also I was interested in your Black Ceramic Coating is this something you spray on after you have the parts Anodized?
I guess all I need is a sheet of Dynaliner and I'm good to go. I did notice half a bat of R32 up in the rafters out in the garage. Well maybe I better order the Dynaliner.

I actually looked at a lot of thumb screw options (thumb screws were a late add on after pricing was set). At the end of the day the best option for weight, cost, and looks was an anodized aluminum part. The screws more are visible on the Gen IV. Then came the realization that the Gen V has a different length screw. I'll just say I have enough of both to last a while. Anyway, the screws cost about the same as if you ordered a stainless steel one from McMaster but are lighter and look less obvious.

The shields are not anodized first they are just sand blasted and ceramic coated.

In my testing I haven't noticed coolant or oil temp move at all but I can only speak for my car. The design goal was a tight fit around the airbox to reduce the possibility of any side effects.

[Steve M]

After looking at the thing I was wondering if you are seeing higher coolant temps after install. When the box is in place it looks as if it blocks a large percentage of the exhaust flow from the rad. fans. Just wondering.

I've logged a lot of data with the heat shield installed, and I've seen no impact on my coolant temps.

[SSGNRDZ_28]

I was just giving you a bad time about the Thumb Screws. Thank you for all your time and effort to bring what looks to me as a top notch product to such a low volume market.

No problem! Also I forgot your drain plug so I'll be sending that in another shipment soon. Thanks again for your purchase.

[dethred]

Even though it will be cooling down in the coming months, I'm thinking I need to go ahead and order one. Is this ordered through your site? Do you have enough on hand to fill an extra order?

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Even though it will be cooling down in the coming months, I'm thinking I need to go ahead and order one. Is this ordered through your site? Do you have enough on hand to fill an extra order?

I'm getting ready to announce the second batch being ready to ship but am waiting on some more inventory to be completed. I have a few on hand now that can ship immediately. They can be ordered through my website.

[Steve M]

Even though it will be cooling down in the coming months, I'm thinking I need to go ahead and order one. Is this ordered through your site? Do you have enough on hand to fill an extra order?

Trust me when I say cool weather doesn't make much of a difference...if the radiator fans turn on at any point, that airbox gets blasted and the IATs go up to unacceptable levels. Even with 50° weather back in the spring, I was still seeing IATs in the 80s, which is enough for the IAT timing table to start pulling timing.

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Trust me when I say cool weather doesn't make much of a difference...if the radiator fans turn on at any point, that airbox gets blasted and the IATs go up to unacceptable levels. Even with 50° weather back in the spring, I was still seeing IATs in the 80s, which is enough for the IAT timing table to start pulling timing.

Exactly. Even if timing wasn't being pulled you'd have much cooler air in turn generating more power.

For those that missed the testing in February... even at 20 degrees F with snow on the ground IAT without the shield was 86 degrees, more than enough to pull timing at idle.

Feb 2015 Heat Shield Test Results (Deg F).jpgIMG_6025.jpgIMG_6027.jpgIMG_6017.jpg

[v10tt]

I tested last night the shield with the Dynamatt insulation and the drain hole plug.

A/C ON, 86 deg. Ambient.

At a traffic light, IAT went as high as 105F (19 deg. over ambient)

Cruising on the hwy at 80 mph, IAT 96F (10 deg. over Ambient)

3rd and 4th gear pull, IAT 93F (7 deg. over ambient)

A/C OFF., 83F ambient temps _ test was done couple hours later.

Cruising at 80 mph , IAT 91F (8 deg over Ambient)

3rd and 4th gear pull, IAT went to 87F, and towards the end of 4th Gear I saw 86F (3-4 deg. over ambient)

A/C off sure makes a couple of deg. difference vs. having it on. Fans not blasting the Air box does keep it cooler.

[DZnutz]

Arent any of you concerned with the engine hydrolocking if you completely blockoff the drain nipple?

why not just extend it with silicone tubing and route to the bottom of the engine bay?

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Arent any of you concerned with the engine hydrolocking if you completely blockoff the drain nipple?

why not just extend it with silicone tubing and route to the bottom of the engine bay?

I wouldn't recommend completely blocking the drain nipple in case of being caught in surprise storms but if you never drive when there is rain and the blockage is removable as needed I don't think there would be an issue.

Extending the drain to the bottom of the engine bay is an interesting idea, would have to look at possible routing paths.

[v10tt]

I did open a small 1/8" hole on the bottom of the plug I used to block the opening so it will drain in case it gets water.

[dethred]

Extending the drain to the bottom of the engine bay is an interesting idea, would have to look at possible routing paths.

And you'd have to make damn sure it didn't swing around. Lots of things spinning around that area.

[DZnutz]

Not unlike any other modification in the engine bay, its very easy to ensure that the tubing doesnt go anywhere near anything hazardous. Im quite surprised that no ones thought of this

[SSGNRDZ_28]

If anyone is having issues with the recently sent GenV thumb screws PM or email me. Some were machined out of tolerance apparently and will not thread in. It should be obvious as they won't go in more than a few turns by hand. I've just gone through my inventory and a small percentage are this way. I'll get replacements out as soon as I can, just send the old ones back with the return label. Thanks

[dethred]

I'm getting ready to announce the second batch being ready to ship but am waiting on some more inventory to be completed. I have a few on hand now that can ship immediately. They can be ordered through my website.

Somehow I didn't see your response earlier. Ordered. Can you email or PM me the tracking number once it ships, I want to make sure I'm in town when it arrives.

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Somehow I didn't see your response earlier. Ordered. Can you email or PM me the tracking number once it ships, I want to make sure I'm in town when it arrives.

Thanks! Let me know if you don't have tracking numbers.

[bogdan]

Surprise, surprise!

In the mail today, I received two thumb screws and a drain cover for the airbox drain. Was not expecting them at all. Doug, you are amazing, and a class act!

[dethred]

Thanks! Let me know if you don't have tracking numbers.

Sweet Jesus, I had a tracking number before I checked my email for the first time yesterday. Thanks!

[dethred]

I got the heat shield in the mail today. Not even two full business days after ordering it. Doug, whatever you make next, as long as I need it you can take my money!

I put about 30 miles on it tonight; in this area the outside temp was about 74°F. I left the AC on the entire time. For reference my airbox is covered completely in reflect-a-gold from DEI, with an extra layer on the bottom.

The combination of the foil and heat shield solved the heatsoaked issue completely. It took about 10 miles in traffic to get the IAT to register above 80°F. After 30 minutes it would creep up to 91°F at traffic lights, but drop down into the mid-80's under throttle. When giving it anything above ~50% throttle the temps would drop to the low 80's, thus eliminating any timing adjustments.

The parts look OEM, and are worth every penny. Installation took about 5 minutes with a flat head screwdriver and an Allen key.