So I got this idea from inimmini from his thread.

I want to insulate the parts of the I/C in between the fins and other parts. I've done a lot of research on different materials to get the job done. He suggests self-stick woven glass fiber with reflective aluminum and I'm having a hard time finding something suitable. A friend suggested header wrap material. Of you masters out there, how would this stuff hold up?

 

littlecS ~~Longer than your engine will !! OBEY

 

Of course, a whole lot has been said and written about ICs, and quite a bit on insulating it. You can read it all, if you live long enough.
In the end, I liken it to polishing a turd (hence why I refer to my car as my little turd). I won't bore you, especially as you're going to read all those old threads, but suffice to say you prolly won't improve much, you might make it worse, and it'll look like crap regardless of the outcome.
I'd suggest leaving the IC alone, and focusing on other areas to improve both power, and performance (which in a Mini has more to do with handling than power.)

Good luck, whichever way you go littlecS.

 

I would say that it all depends on your usage of the car - I track mine only so use a heat shield for my charge cooler , have no scoop or under bonnet insulation so air flow is hopefully taking as much of the hot air from around the exhaust and head out .
But - It is important not to cover up the inlet manifold with it as this will negate any heat protection by stopping air flow at it


I totally agree it looks **** too and is much like polishing a turd as well Doc as I know you know your stuff

 

You really want to avoid restricting air flow through the face of the intercooler with insulation. You do and your IATs will go up.

 

Sorry I forgot to say mines a water/air cooler so obviously totally different concept and air flow function

 

Perhaps a stupid question:

Wouldn't insulating your supercharger actually be a bad idea? Wouldn't that keep unwanted heat inside your blower, and therefore make intake air temperatures go hotter? I thought the goal is to get rid of as much heat as possible, so that intake air is as cold and dense as possible, therefore producing the most power.

To the untrained modder, (me), it would seem that insulating the supercharger would keep heat in, and would be counterproductive at best. Heat soak and lower power/performance would occur more quickly, no?

 

Trapped heat has to go some where.....

And the stock style IC's rely on forced air passing through at a 90 degree down angle to cool the fins. Any objects directly under the IC to block heat transfer will only slow this process and at that point you are beating a dead horse. What you gain in preventing heat transfer from the upper cyl head you lose from the restricted air flow.

IMO, get an OEM GP intercooler and a IC scoop with a larger opening....

 

Exactly what I was thinking...intercoolers are all about heat-exchange...and the more surface area, the more it can exchange. Improving airflow, or providing more surface area to transfer heat (like the GP cooler) seem to be the best things to do. If one does not have much airflow, heat soak would happen at anyspeed.
The fact that the OP chimed in and said...it is a water to air IC complicates things a bit...but with thermodynamics, any exposed surface that is hot can radiate heat...allowing cooling to occur...so even in a water/air ic, I think the only places to insulate would be places that are exposed to extreme heat...but then a heat sheild might prove most effective, rather than a fiberous materal that would hinder the parts ability to radiate heat. Thus, a simple shield may do some good, while doing no harm, since it would prevent the absorbtion of radiant heat from other surfaces, but would still allow a bit of airflow, and alow the radiation of heat!

 

A perusal of old threads on this topic would make good reading for those interested. It's not only been extensively discussed, many of the contributors are smart people who don't post so much any more, either because they no longer have a Mini, or they get bored repeating themselves.
Just a note that jonnieoh mistakenly refers to insulating the supercharger, whereas the OP talks about insulating the IC and related inlet and outlet horns. I don't think anyone has ever suggested insulating the SC (this would not be a good idea!) and the only reason you would think that insulating the IC is a good idea is because of its position relative to the engine (I've never seen an insulated front mounted IC, for example.)
But as brownpants and Helix13mini point out (and this is an oldee but a goodee), the real key is AIR FLOW.
If you search for air flow in association with my ID, I think you'll find lots written about that topic...

 

As you suggested, I did misunderstand. Oops.

 

Insulation = fail
Isolation = maybe - if properly used = win but not easy to figure out the how

Dr Phil - I would say there was more than 1 polishing cloth used on this subject.... did you save remains?

 

It wasnt the OP that said he had a W2A Intercooler

 

At least I know now somebody is reading!! Oops!! My bad...for some reason I thought the post of the guy saying I forgot to say mine is a water to air was the op!!