Heat-rejecting tape

Gotta question - what is a cost-effective product I can use to wrap the Manic Miata's intake piping to keep it cooler?

Right now it goes from the front left of the car, over the exposed header, across the firewall over the coil, and into the throttle body at the right rear of the head. That's a lot of hot stuff it passes near.

The intake is thinwall aluminum tubing, maybe 3" in diameter. Anything has to be better than the high-heat black it is currently mostly painted.

I know there are all kinds of expensive stuff, but what do people find most effective without spending a couple hundred bucks a roll? Thanks.

DEI heat tape isn't all that expensive. "Cool Tape" or whatever it's called. I think i usually pay around $20 a roll or less.

http://www.thermotec.com/products/all.html

This is why I'm using plastic pipes for my CAI.

Plastic heats up too.

Yeah but nowhere near as easily as aluminum

Spectre sells some chrome-coated ABS piping that's ideal for making a CAI, I'd be using that if not for importation-related difficulties.

I've heard of using header wrap. You might also try the hardware store, something like this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-E-O-2-in-x-15-ft-Foam-and-Foil-Pipe-Wrap-Insulation-Tape-FV15H/100174724#.UUjfx1emjcA

^That stuff works well. I'm planning to wrap my plastic CAI in it if I can find it.

GameboyRMH wrote: Yeah but nowhere near as easily as aluminum Spectre sells some chrome-coated ABS piping that's ideal for making a CAI, I'd be using that if not for importation-related difficulties.

My understanding is once it does heat up, its much more difficult to get it to shed heat than aluminum.

z31maniac wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: Yeah but nowhere near as easily as aluminum Spectre sells some chrome-coated ABS piping that's ideal for making a CAI, I'd be using that if not for importation-related difficulties.

My understanding is once it does heat up, its much more difficult to get it to shed heat than aluminum.

That's right, and it's good because it's also harder to shed heat to the inside of the pipe.

z31maniac wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: Yeah but nowhere near as easily as aluminum Spectre sells some chrome-coated ABS piping that's ideal for making a CAI, I'd be using that if not for importation-related difficulties.

My understanding is once it does heat up, its much more difficult to get it to shed heat than aluminum.

It may be true that it takes time for it to cool down, but the heat transfer rate of plastic is much, much less than aluminum. Don't focus on the temperature of the tube, focus on the heat flow ability- rate wise, that's what will heat the intake. The chrome isn't going to make much difference.

So, how cheap are we talking? Cover the intake with basic dryer duct- that provides some reflective surface for the IR heat, and the air gap will give you good insulation.

Better than dryer duct, iirc HVAC flex-duct is available at least as small as 4", maybe less. Ok, you'll look like a redneck reject from the meth-lab trailer park, but it would work well and be cheap.

I also forgot that you can wrap the tube with the same insulation "tape" that is used for water heaters. Gotta do a neat job, or the yellow fiberglass will show....

I have used that frost king foam/foil tape before, it works well just looks bad. Also I have used the foil backed fiberglass insulation which does a little better job of keeping heat away but is more of a pain to work. Wrap that with foil tape for best results.

Really you can't go wrong with any that has foil and some kind of air barrier type material. I have seen people use bubble wrap even.

If you haven't already done it, make a heat shield for the header in addition to wrapping the intake tube.

All right, thanks, gang! It does not have to be under $10, but under $50 would be nice. I'm actually looking at those lace-up intake socks that were in an early link. Cheers!

Have you tried Hot Spotz II? I know you were looking for something under $50, but they sell tape at $56.16 that's a really great quality. http://hotspotzii.com/

canoe

?

Well it's a good relevant answer at least...

www.thermotec.com

www.koolmat.com

www.designengineering.com

www.heatshieldproducts.com

AngryCorvair wrote: canoe ?

guess we should wait and see it that's the only post ?

So what did you do?

Haven't done anything, yet. I'm still struggling to get the car through emissions inspection. Once I accomplish that, I'll move on to upgrades as I return it to Manic Mode.

I've had problems with some of my sewer connectors that hold my turbo piping deforming from the heat that they absorb from sitting right under the turbo. I had elaborate plans to build this wrap with fiberglass insulation and foil and giant clamps and stuff, but then my dad suggested that I just wrap a couple sheets of aluminum foil around it kind of loosely.

So, now instead of keeping a couple spare rubber couplers in my toolbox for rallyx days, I keep a roll of aluminum foil. No deformation of the rubber and my intake temps have gone down a couple degrees. :)

You guys are confusing "how hot it gets" with "how fast it gets hot." In the same environment, all materials will eventually get to the same temperature... just at different rates.