Best engine block heater for the insight?

[Baltothewolf]

Any ideas? It will be getting into the low 30's high 20's out here soon, and I would like some block heater ideas. I'm gonna be changing my radiator Monday so yea. Will be a good time to put something in.

[Cobb]

I think the better option is an aftermarket one. The oem one is like 400 watts and keeps the engine from freezing. The tank ones go up to 1500 watts and even circulate the coolant throughout the system.

[oil pan 4]

The best block heater is the biggest one you can find and install.

As far as I am concerned a bigger version of this would be best:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...mer-23893.html

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The best block heater is the biggest one you can find and install.

As far as I am concerned a bigger version of this would be best:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...mer-23893.html

Not that many people get up there in wattage, but going beyond about 1500-1800w gets tricky to consistently plug in to anything but a dedicated point for your vehicle

[oil pan 4]

You can also install a standard 120 volt heater and use it anywhere.
Or power a large 220 volt heater element with 120 volt power and reduce its power consumption by 3/4.

[Baltothewolf]

My budget is 50 bucks... And I just want something that is plug and play.

[Cobb]

I got the oem one because I figured the manufacture knew best.

[oil pan 4]

An OEM style should be well under $50.
So I see you are in Virginia, so was I when I installed my block heaters.
I am convinced that if you go into any auto zone, advance, O'reillys in Virginia and ask for a block heater they will look at you like you are stupid.
"Because it doesn't get that cold here" (in Virginia)
The same thing happened to my friend a few years later when he wanted to put a block heater in his 4cyl Toyota Tacoma in Virginia, advance, auto, O' and even the Toyota dealer ship all thought he was crazy.

We end up going to Napa and they found it, they even had them in stock. If you go to the big napa.
For me Napa just happened to be the last place I tried, for my friend the nearest napa was a bit of a drive.

You can order them off the internet but all sources for my block heater I could find started at $50 and up then you still had to pay for shipping. These little block heaters should have been $25 to no more than $40.

Also don't be afraid to install more than one block heater if you have room.

Remember the faster you can heat the engine the less heat will bleed off into surrounding space.

Note:
My hot water heater element based 220 volt coolant heater can be built for around $25 and in wattages ranging from 1500w to 4500w. They can be used with 220 or 120 volt power, to run them off 120 volt power just multiply the rated wattage by 0.25 and you will get your wattage at reduced power.

[Cobb]

That was the case for my scion. I had a canadian part number and could not get the part in the US. For the honda insight it was listed in all the brochures as an accessory. I ordered it online and the bracket for under 50 bucks. It replaced one of the screw in freeze plugs on the right side of the engine that faced the firewall. I guess I have a few blanks, didnt look or think. Since they are 400 watts I could do 2 more before popping the braker.

I experiment with a timer and using my sg2 to check engine temp. Seems the best use was 2 hours before driving. It speed up warm up time 2 minutes before the cold engine light went out.

When it got to 0 degrees the engine was 32. When its 32 the engine is like 100 degrees. Once started it cools some, then warms back up. I can not tell any hit t mpg, but it does make the car more comfortable to have heat 2 minutes sooner.

Yes, NAPA is the only place that sells all types of heaters, dip, magnetic, blankets, pads, etc.

[bestclimb]

For "plug and play" and 50 bucks tops. A stick on oil pan heater will work fine (get the thermostatically controlled one so you don't cook your oil). If you can do a little more work, the biggest circulating coolant pump your budget allows.