Wrap a CAI...

[Ian]

I was talking to someone about the supposed benefits of the CAI. Specifically, whether the air stays colder by the time it gets to the throttle body given that the engine bay gets so hot.

So, the thought that came to mind was how about wrapping the cold air intake, at least the part that is in the engine bay, with header wrap. I know the wrap as it applies to a header is designed to keep the heat from coming out of the header, and channeling the heat out faster. Conversely, it seems that the wrap should keep the engine bay heat from getting into the intake. It won't look sexy, but it may work.

Has anyone ever wrapped their cold air intake? Do you think it is a good idea?

http://www.hdmworld.com/headerwrap.htm

[Sp33d]

i actually like that idea. im sure it would work, but like you said, you will end up with one fugly looking intake. the tape that you have in the link will make our intakes look like a band-aid.

-mark

[Ford_Fixorrepairdaily]

Thermotec makes these wraps for intakes as well as headers.

here is the linky to the intake wrap http://www.thermotec.com/products/full/14500/14500.html

you can also buy them from jegs.com etc

Its about $50 bucks for a 3 ft roll. Try it out and see if it does really work.

[FLASH]

Theoretically speaking, it should work. But how much of a difference you would feel is probably going to be minimal.

[SpeedSTARs]

I was talking to someone about the supposed benefits of the CAI. Specifically, whether the air stays colder by the time it gets to the throttle body given that the engine bay gets so hot.

So, the thought that came to mind was how about wrapping the cold air intake, at least the part that is in the engine bay, with header wrap. I know the wrap as it applies to a header is designed to keep the heat from coming out of the header, and channeling the heat out faster. Conversely, it seems that the wrap should keep the engine bay heat from getting into the intake. It won't look sexy, but it may work.

Has anyone ever wrapped their cold air intake? Do you think it is a good idea?

http://www.hdmworld.com/headerwrap.htm

I've done it to my GEN1. It helps relieve some of the heat soak to the aluminum CAI tube/pipe. However, it only delays the heat soak until the engine goes into full running temperatures. The good stuff if the aluminum foil like wrap. This product has the fiber glass material bonded with the foil on the outer surface. And yes, the wrap makes the short ram and CAI extension look like its sprained ankle.

As you may know, Aluminum is a great material for extracting heat. That is why you see them used for heat sinks to extract heat away from critical components. At also the same note, it cools faster than most materials out there besides copper (Now only if they made CAI out of nickel for the excellent heat rejection (super fast cooling properties)).

Anyway here is a cheap trick that might help to get some rid of some the heat soak onto the pipe. first find the cuppling connection to the throttle body to the Short-ram pipe (SRP). Then loosen up the cuppling/vent clamp on the throttle body side and on the SRP side too. Now try to scoot some more of the cuppling out where only 30% of the cuppling is seated on the SRP. Clamp that portion on by tightening up that end for the pipe with the dryer vent clamp. Now take the other end (that goes to the throttle body) and slip 30% of the cuppling onto the throttle body. What this does is create a spacer for your SRP and Throttle body. It helps by means of isolating the heat soak from the upper intake manifold to throttle body and then to the Short Ram Pipe. In which then translates to cooler air channeled to the engine. Ahhh, more power. Hopefully this help out Bro.

Best regards,
G