I need some help/suggestions on my intake. I have a ARC super induction box and I am getting very high intake temps. 100 degrees C = 212 degrees F. Sometimes it goes a little over 100 when sitting in traffic. I noticed one major issue already which is that the bottom filter is getting all of the hot air from the radiator fan blown right into it and when I parked and felt the air box it almost burned me it was so hot.

Take a look at my pic and tell me what you think. I think I need to fab a heat shield of some kind.

I will take better pics around noon when I get home.

-Greg

 

If you want better intake temps, get a better intercooler.

 

Wow. 100C. I never say temps that high using the stock intake box with a small Blitz SMIC intercooler.

 

Well I know that but $ is a little tight right now, getting ready for my baby's arival next month.

 

Then you have two choices:

1. Drive around with bags of ice around the stock IC (not recommended)
2. Just live with it until you can purchase an aftermarket IC

Keep an eye out in the For Sale section. You can find good deals on Blitz or Greddy SMIC's.

 

So you think the only problem is my stock IC and it has nothing to do with the hot air being blown into the filter? I know a bigger/better IC will help cool it down but I think there is something I can do about the hot air being sucked into the filter in the mean time.

 

What do you expect? A by product of forced induction is heat. This is where the intercooler comes into play. While you can save a few degress at the intake, it's still going to get super-heated by the turbos. Most if not all savings at the intake will be canceled out by the stock IC's efficiency, or lack there of...

If you want to do something, go right ahead. However, the proper way to solve the problem is with a more effective intercooler.

 

That is what I was trying to get at in my post. The FAQ sticky has links to the content from the old Robinette and Siriani web sites. One of them has intake temp comparisons using different intakes. The stock air box offered the lowest intake temps of all tested intakes.

If you don't have cash for a larger intercooler and you want lower intake temps, I'd suggest finding a used stock air box. You can sometimes find them for $50 or less. Just make sure the tabs on the side that keep the box closed aren't broken. Then you can sell yours or keep it till you have funds for a better intercooler.

One last comment. adam_c has a cheap bastard intake mod to the stock airbox that i believe was dyno proven to yield another 10-15 HP. Search for that. You can also make your own if you are handy.

Good luck.

 

Put the stock intake back on and put a K&N on it... that at least pulls cool air. That thing you've got is terrible.

 

with stock intake, intercooler i was seeing 70 deg max. Usually 60's. put stock intake back on.

 

Very good point. I will start looking for an IC since I really need one but I think I will go front mount if i'm going to get one since the cooling effectiveness is better, at least I believe it is, am I right?

 

for turbo cars, your intercooler dictates your intake temp. not your air filter or any cold air duct.

 

Keep in mind, the temp difference at the air filter (which is where the test is taking its measurements) doesn't necessarily translate to the same difference at the manifold (which the test did not provide that info). And in reality, the temps at the manifold are all that really matters.

Each IC has it's benefits and weakness. i.e. FMIC is great as its in the direct path of a lot of air and won't heat soak as much. However, it blocks direct air to the radiator. Unless you get creative and create some ducting to bring to the radiator, you have now just put the radiator in a worse position than the stock IC: it's stuck in the engine area and doesn't have a direct source of air. At least the stock IC has a small opening to get direct air. Your radiator only gets 'second hand' air after it's passed through the IC. IMO, it's not a good option unless you are building something like a drag car where you only do short bursts.

The obvious weakness of the SMIC is that it heat soaks. Decide what type of driving you plan to do with the car and then you can pick the right part for the task.