My MCS has the Mini Mania CAI (similar to Madness in design) with the Mania strut brace. I noticed that the strut brace gets really hot, as it is exposed to engine heat. Since it runs directly through my airbox, I decided to wrap the section of the brace that goes through the box with metallic/foam pipe tape. Then I wrapped it with black duct tape so it wasn't quite so ugly. This might be pointless, but I just figured having an aluminum bar that's too hot to hold practically sitting on my filter was defeating the purpose of a cold air intake. Anyway, I'm thinking I should insulate the whole box now. Probably by lining it with the same tape I used on the bar. Does this make sense? Is there any chance it would have the opposite effect? If it does help to drop the temperature inside the box, what's the threshold for actually make it worthwhile? 30 degrees? 40? I'm planning on doing a before/after temp. comparison, but wanted to get an idea if it would even be worth the diminshed good looks of the intake. Thanks. JR

 

I am going to do this and I have found the exact right product at http://www.pegasusautoracing.com. They have adhesive, aluminized heatproof cloth that is used to protect fiberglass parts from exhaust heat on race cars. A 12 x 24 inch piece is about 25 bucks.

Graham

 

I was working on something similar. but its the downpipe I was looking to insulate as it is metal. I don't know it would matter with the stock airbox since plastic doesn't transmit heat that well?

 

There is a real simple fix to your hot brace problem...........................get rid of the strut brace. A top strut brace on a Mini does nothing except maybe look cool.
Sorry about that, but the front end is so stiff on the Mini its not needed. Problem solved!

 

Wow, Hank. What a great idea. I'll go remove it right now. Nice roof graphic, by the way! JR

 

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Graham: Let me know how yours turns out. I'm going to do a before/after test with a thermometer to see the difference between insulated and not.

street-racer: Racing stores (like Pegasus & summit...maybe NAPA) carry header wrap. I think the main purpose is to hold heat in the header so exhaust gasses exit more quickly. I imagine that it would help engine bay temps as well, so maybe you'd get a double benefit.


JR

 

>>Graham: Let me know how yours turns out. I'm going to do a before/after test with a thermometer to see the difference between insulated and not.
>>
>>street-racer: Racing stores (like Pegasus & summit...maybe NAPA) carry header wrap. I think the main purpose is to hold heat in the header so exhaust gasses exit more quickly. I imagine that it would help engine bay temps as well, so maybe you'd get a double benefit.
>>
>>
>>JR

Good point! Actually Randy confirmed that the stock header heat shield doesn't work very well and we could use something better in that area.

 

>>>>street-racer: Racing stores (like Pegasus & summit...maybe NAPA) carry header wrap. I think the main purpose is to hold heat in the header so exhaust gasses exit more quickly. I imagine that it would help engine bay temps as well, so maybe you'd get a double benefit.
>>>>
>>
>>Good point! Actually Randy confirmed that the stock header heat shield doesn't work very well and we could use something better in that area.

However, header wrap will reduce the lifetime of the header because of the intense heat. (says so on the pegasus web site). So I wouldnt want to use it everyday, particularly if I investe in the LS header.

 

I've heard that, too, but was thinking a stainless header would be immune...to rust anyway. Maybe they're talking about deposits on the inside??

 

Actually a properly built strut brace makes all the difference in the world. It took my Cooper that was leaning around 25 mph turns at 45 mph, to a flat cornering beast that can now take them at 55.

I went through four different fabricators and manufacturers to find one that worked.

Most just look real cool but do not do a thing as Hank mentioned.

Tracy
Diamond Racing

 

Tracy-
Which strut did you pick? Is it one that we can also buy or is it custom for you? How about a picture?

 

>>>>Graham: Let me know how yours turns out. I'm going to do a before/after test with a thermometer to see the difference between insulated and not.
>>>>

Well I got my adhesive aluminized heat barrier (12x24 inch) from Pegasusautoracing.com. It's only one eighth inch thick. I went for two layers on the engine side and the front. I made a cardboard template and then cut the material to shape. I went all the way to the bottom of the airbox including the plastic stock part below the stainless aftermarket part on the engine side.

So now I have a quarter inch of heat barrier where it matters the most! That's got to help. I did not have a thermometer so I don't have hard numbers but for $25.00 I'll go with it. The aluminized finish actually enhances the look rather than detracts. It looks more "technical" than plain stainless steel. That stainless got really hot on the engine side, anything there has got to help.

Graham

 

Forgot to mention. There's enough heat barrier to lay across the header heat shields and connect them so there's no gap. Look down there and you'll see what I mean, there's a gap between the firewaal shield and the engine-mounted shield.

Graham

 

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I ordered a self-adhesive aluminum heat shield sheet (12X24) from CarQuest for $22. It should be here on Monday (3 Days). I cover the SS Heatshield from Madness. It must help a little bit to help keep the CAI as cool as possible.

Another thing about the Madness intake. There are two areas that have gaps in the insulating seal. I have the one with the 2 piece insulation and there is a gap between the 2. There is another gap where the shield meets up with the ECU cover. I found some trim gaskets that you use to replace door seals look like it will do the trick to help.

 

Hey guys. I posted a new topic..."Intake temp testing today" where I explain what I found regarding the insulation. Sounds like you used better material than I did, but you might read the thread anyway. Inusulating the box seemed to help keep temps down by a few degrees while driving, but IMHO, not enough to keep the tape on it. Graham, yours sounds like it looks cool anyway, so you're in luck. Sounds like shielding the header/downpipe is worthwhile. I looked at it and saw what you were talking about. Let me know what your impressions are (SuperC & Graham). thanks. JR

 

Hello Minhune,

Here is the link to the strut bar we now sell:

http://www.diamondracinggroup.com/ca...rut_brace.html

Customers can modify there Battery box cover on the NASP or the ECU cover for the "S" .

We will be releasing a full carbon fiber Battery Box and ECU cover that work with this strut brace soon.

BTW-My wife and I used to live in Kaneohe(?) right down the street from Windward College were she attended school, about 10 years ago. WOW...seems like yesterday.

Now we are now located in second best place to live behind Hawaii, which is of course first, near the beach in San Diego County.

 

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>>Interesting how a full blown race car MINI has no need for a strut brace:
>>

I guess that's QED! Thanks, you saved me some money! I heard it was just eye candy! I'll put that money towards the next upgrade. Let's see, Schrick cam, maybe, or a little porting and polishing action!

Graham

 

When you look at the Promini car you see that it is extensively modified. The engine bay hardly is left the way it came from the factory. As a byproduct of those mods there is little to no room left for installing ANY tower brace strut bar. You'd have to yank out good stuff like the huge intake. So every mod is at the cost of another sometimes when it comes down to space, money, or balance of the car.

We should conclude that the tower brace is of no help with handling and suspension. I feel there is some benefit but certainly most when the car is cornering hard as on a track. It isn't a mod for everyone and it does run VERY hot indeed almost as bad as a heating element in a barbeque. It does cool off quickly if I lift the hood up.

Tracy-
Aloha and mahalo for the link. My 16 year old daughter is planning to take a few courses next month at Windward community college. She's homeschooled and ready for some neat classes in astronomy and english writing.
My MCS is very happy being in Hawaii.

 

Bwaaahaaaaa <<< laughing at myself

I know it's time for bed, because when I read this thread's title, I saw:

Will insulting the airbox help?

You're a damn no-good lousy airbox, ya can't even keep this expensive cool air in.

Goodnight everyone

 

Harmini: Funny you say that, because the thread has actually become "Will insulting my strut brace help?"

For what it's worth, I got mine on trade along with a bunch of other stuff. I agree the chassis is stiff, but weight is hardly an issue with this thing. It just looks cool and does no harm. There, I said it. Surprised that people got so worked up over what amounts to a cosmetic mod. What's next, bonnet stripe bashing? Flex those muscles, everyone!

 

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