My Warm Intake & Temp #'s (mileage results tonight)

[Drive Stick]

I did some research and came up with my own theory on warm air intakes. I had a target of between 120-140° (F) intake air & my car luckily was set up to do exactly what I wanted with out much modification.

Stock (shown below) the filter box sits over top of the exhaust manifold which has a double heat shield on it. Behind the filter box, is another box which was sealed other than a thin pipe leading to the actual inlet pipe for the induction system which drew in "some" warm air already. The open pipe you see between the intake tube and the brake fluid res. on the right is the stock intake configuration.



Warm Air Only (rough idea, finished product will look stock in all black) I removed the secondary warm air box from the rear of the filter box, and eliminated the intake pipe all together. I removed the exhaust manifold shields, and used metal reflective tape on the coolant reservoir to prevent it from melting with the extra radiant heat. I drilled a series of about 50-60 3/8" holes in the bottom of the filter box - this is now where the intake air is drawn right over top of the exhaust manifold.



Outside Air Temp (kinda cool today)



Idle Intake Temp (reading from between filter & throttle body)



2,000 RPM +/- Intake Air Temp (somewhere between 1,500-2,000 off-load)



I went for a drive to warm up the car, and on a 46° day my idle intake temp was 126° & my offload (not moving) intake temp at 2,000 rpms was 140°

This is about where I wanted it, since when the vehicle is moving on a day that is 80° outside I can probably expect to see these same temps while driving / sitting at a light & not worry too much about sucking in air hot enough to cause pinging. If I do experience that I will deal with it down the line by using 89 octane fuel, instead of 87.

Once I fill the tank again tonight I will post my results with the new mileage after I go for a nice long cruise. (I am hoping to go up from 36 to 40) but I did more stop and go driving than usual so - we'll see!

[Tygen1]

Thanks for the detailed write up, very helpfull. I'm hoping to get a warm air intake going soon.
I see your in NJ also, I'm near philly

[SVOboy]

I see you both are in NJ. I'm also near Philly. Sounds like we need to have an EcoModder meet up soon.

Let us know how the fuel economy is.

[Tygen1]

Just say when and where

[Drive Stick]

Well, conditions have been less than ideal for this tank of gas - a lot of uphill traveling, stop and go + tonight a 50 mile drive in the rain. I replaced the air filter, and removed 50 lbs give or take from the car as well.

I managed to squeeze 1 more mpg out of the car, although only about 80 miles of this tank were with the warm air intake. I am up to 37 mpg and I filled the tank tonight.

I think the combination of the 3 things new air filter, weight redux, and warm intake should have gotten me at least 38 mpg but I suppose there are a lot of variables which contribute to the overall mileage.

I'll update again next time I fill it and we'll see if I can post any improvements?

* Edit to ad: I forgot to mention, I usually fly solo. This tank of gas half of it was spent with another adult passenger so figure an added 200 lbs.