This car needs an insulated air feed

[Tmd]

I opened the bonnet on my V6 today after a drive and the plastic air pipe leaving my air box was so hot I could hardly hold it. Surely it would benefit from being cooled? Maybe something as simple as wrapping the pipe in insulation? It's getting hot from the engine bay I assume. I know the subject of cone filters is often discussed but this car would benefit from an air box out side the engine bay (in the wheel arch) and then pipework with lagging to keep the air cooler on entry into the engine.

[dh.dti]

try covering the pipe work in foil to start with... shiney side out

[rushy]

You wont get much heat transfer there mate as the air is moving, if the air was stationary then maybe but while the engine is on it will be barely noticeable.

[Grumpy1954]

It was rather hot the last couple of days. Out yesterday the outside temp was showing 29 degrees, steering wheel almost too hot to touch after half an hour parked in sun.

[hagga]

I opened the bonnet on my V6 today after a drive and the plastic air pipe leaving my air box was so hot I could hardly hold it. Surely it would benefit from being cooled? Maybe something as simple as wrapping the pipe in insulation? It's getting hot from the engine bay I assume. I know the subject of cone filters is often discussed but this car would benefit from an air box out side the engine bay (in the wheel arch) and then pipework with lagging to keep the air cooler on entry into the engine.

insulating it will make no difference.. on the cone subject (before ppl pipe up).. i've had better gains using cone(unshielded) than performance panel filters/airbox mods.. what everyone forgets is that the throttle body has a water jacket...most think it's 'cooling' but is infact for heating to stop butterfly freezing in winter...so when your tb is has water of 80-90 deg flowing around it there's no point worrying about the warm/hot intake pipe.

[Vectra_C_Chris]

insulating it will make no difference.. on the cone subject (before ppl pipe up).. i've had better gains using cone(unshielded) than performance panel filters/airbox mods.. what everyone forgets is that the throttle body has a water jacket...most think it's 'cooling' but is infact for heating to stop butterfly freezing in winter...so when your tb is has water of 80-90 deg flowing around it there's no point worrying about the warm/hot intake pipe.

+1

I've never actually noticed that much of a performance drop in hot weather compared to other V6's. And trust me, when it hits 40 degrees outside, the car still pulls through the rev range purely because of what was stated above.

[Tmd]

Thanks for the replies, I will stop thinking about it as no point bothering from what you say.

[rushy]

most think it's 'cooling' but is infact for heating to stop butterfly freezing in winter...so when your tb is has water of 80-90 deg flowing around it there's no point worrying about the warm/hot intake pipe.

The warmer temps also helps with MPG mate. On a separate note, but possibly linked to the TB heating, does the Z32SE have an EGR?

[MiniVauxhall]

The warmer temps also helps with MPG mate. On a separate note, but possibly linked to the TB heating, does the Z32SE have an EGR?

I always thought that the colder the air the more mpg you got as the air is colder its more dence. could be wrong tho.

[rushy]

I always thought that the colder the air the more mpg you got as the air is colder its more dence. could be wrong tho.

No mate, thats power. Getting more power is all about getting more air in so in turn you can add more fuel. It can be done by forced induction, cooler air, a cam profile that opens the valves longer or flowing the track the gas follows through. All will give more air and in turn more fuel. Have you ever noticed your MPG gets lower in the winter?