DIY: Easy MOD for colder AC
#1
RX8 ADDICTED!!!
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DIY: Easy MOD for colder AC
This weekend I took a heat reflective cloth and wrapped the AC line under the hood that is exposed, I put small cable ties approx. every 2-3 inches. and cut a small square out for the little valve on the line. Today I drove to work and the AC was the coldest it has ever been and remained freezing cold for my 25 minute drive to work. Easy mod and takes about 15 minutes, it even adds 100 HP!!!!! J/K :D :D :D
I'll post pictures once my car gets back from getting the windows tinted.
I'll post pictures once my car gets back from getting the windows tinted.
#2
Torque is Good
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Sounds interesting and looking forward to the pics, this would be a good DIY, pardon my ignorance, but what is heat reflective cloth and is this some you can get at an automotive store or what? Thanks.
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This is something that Miata owners have been doing for years, espically when they are boosted and are producing much more heat under the hood. I figured if the rotary made more heat than a normal engine it should work great. I used to have an 02 Black Miata and did the same thing. As for the cloth it is a silver reflective on one side and made of a fiberglass. I bought it at a Speed Shop and I think it was called heat cloth.
#5
Insanely Yellow
Can you post pics so we can see which line to put it on? I'm generally happy with my -8's AC performance, but with a black leather interior and no tint, could use all the help it can get.
#8
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
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Originally Posted by Tigster
This is something that Miata owners have been doing for years, espically when they are boosted and are producing much more heat under the hood. I figured if the rotary made more heat than a normal engine it should work great. I used to have an 02 Black Miata and did the same thing. As for the cloth it is a silver reflective on one side and made of a fiberglass. I bought it at a Speed Shop and I think it was called heat cloth.
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G8rboy,
It is the same idea of the tape used on headers but I didn't use a tape it was a 2 x 2 foot square piece I started with and cut it to the size I needed. It is more like a flexible thicker fabric, some auto makers use it to line the underside of the hood and underbody where the trans runs under to help control heat. I am thinking of putting some above my trans to help keep the tempatures of my cupholders down a bit.
It is the same idea of the tape used on headers but I didn't use a tape it was a 2 x 2 foot square piece I started with and cut it to the size I needed. It is more like a flexible thicker fabric, some auto makers use it to line the underside of the hood and underbody where the trans runs under to help control heat. I am thinking of putting some above my trans to help keep the tempatures of my cupholders down a bit.
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Originally Posted by Tigster
G8rboy,
It is the same idea of the tape used on headers but I didn't use a tape it was a 2 x 2 foot square piece I started with and cut it to the size I needed. It is more like a flexible thicker fabric, some auto makers use it to line the underside of the hood and underbody where the trans runs under to help control heat. I am thinking of putting some above my trans to help keep the tempatures of my cupholders down a bit.
It is the same idea of the tape used on headers but I didn't use a tape it was a 2 x 2 foot square piece I started with and cut it to the size I needed. It is more like a flexible thicker fabric, some auto makers use it to line the underside of the hood and underbody where the trans runs under to help control heat. I am thinking of putting some above my trans to help keep the tempatures of my cupholders down a bit.
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Lubricious
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Originally Posted by Tigster
This weekend I took a heat reflective cloth and wrapped the AC line under the hood that is exposed, I put small cable ties approx. every 2-3 inches. and cut a small square out for the little valve on the line. Today I drove to work and the AC was the coldest it has ever been and remained freezing cold for my 25 minute drive to work. Easy mod and takes about 15 minutes, it even adds 100 HP!!!!! J/K :D :D :D
I'll post pictures once my car gets back from getting the windows tinted.
I'll post pictures once my car gets back from getting the windows tinted.
Thanks!!
#14
Go Texas Longhorns!
I called a local performance shop and they recommended I call Thermotec (www.thermotec.com). Thermotec recommended I use the thermoshield tape (part number 14002) which reatils for like $17 for a roll. Would this work? My worry would be the condinsation would cause the tape to fall off.....they have some other products on the site as well I'm looking over
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Ok, I put a call into the speedshop where I got it from they are calling me back. They use it all the time espically on his 10 second civic. I would say it makes easily a 5-8 degree difference. Tonight I will put a therometer and check how cold the air is.
Anyone in the Naples Fl area can get it from Dave @ Liberty 1.
I pick my car up at 5:30 from the tint place and will post pics when I get home.
EDIT:
Here is a link to the material I believe: will confirm it tonight
http://www.thermotec.com/products/full/14003/14003.html
PS The outside temp this morning was 76 degrees and I had the air on recirculate. on the low setting.
Anyone in the Naples Fl area can get it from Dave @ Liberty 1.
I pick my car up at 5:30 from the tint place and will post pics when I get home.
EDIT:
Here is a link to the material I believe: will confirm it tonight
http://www.thermotec.com/products/full/14003/14003.html
PS The outside temp this morning was 76 degrees and I had the air on recirculate. on the low setting.
Last edited by Tigster; 10-18-2004 at 04:04 PM.
#16
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http://www.thermotec.com/products/full/14005/14005.html
This one looks like it has potential for the application in question.
This one looks like it has potential for the application in question.
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Originally Posted by foxman
http://www.thermotec.com/products/full/14005/14005.html
This one looks like it has potential for the application in question.
This one looks like it has potential for the application in question.
#18
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I found this line of Thermotec products at JC Whitney...
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/C...&searchbtn.y=5
Regards, Art
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/C...&searchbtn.y=5
Regards, Art
Last edited by Art Hazebrook; 10-18-2004 at 05:41 PM.
#19
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Attached is a photo of what I did, it is a strip of heat cloth, I fastened it with small clear cable ties approx 2-3 inches apart. This method you do not need to remove the tubing just wrap around it.
Sorry for the photo it is taken with a camera phone.
Sorry for the photo it is taken with a camera phone.
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Originally Posted by Tigster
This weekend I took a heat reflective cloth and wrapped the AC line under the hood that is exposed, I put small cable ties approx. every 2-3 inches. and cut a small square out for the little valve on the line. Today I drove to work and the AC was the coldest it has ever been and remained freezing cold for my 25 minute drive to work. Easy mod and takes about 15 minutes, it even adds 100 HP!!!!! J/K :D :D :D
I'll post pictures once my car gets back from getting the windows tinted.
I'll post pictures once my car gets back from getting the windows tinted.
I'm generally content with my A/C (no A/C amp) as is, and I always keep my A/C on fresh air. There are a few times in the middle of a blazing hot Hawaiian day, only when I'm stuck idling in traffic, that I think it could be a little colder. But most of the time, I think it's actually too cold. This fix looks like it might regulate the cooling affects of the A/C better.
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Tigster:
Thanks so much for this info. I think you're also really on to something about heat shielding the cupholders and the center console in general. This would help decrease heating the passengers and their drinks. Ipod users have also discussed malfunctions when putting their ipods in the center console, because of overheating. This heat shield could help with that too. I wonder what is involved in getting to this area. Would this be an exterior mod, or an interior mod?
Thanks so much for this info. I think you're also really on to something about heat shielding the cupholders and the center console in general. This would help decrease heating the passengers and their drinks. Ipod users have also discussed malfunctions when putting their ipods in the center console, because of overheating. This heat shield could help with that too. I wonder what is involved in getting to this area. Would this be an exterior mod, or an interior mod?
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Pegasus Racing carries the stuff you're talking about, too. Check out the link below and there are both cut-to-fit and self adhesive aluminized heat barrier cloths.
Pegasus Racing Heat Barrier page
Those of you thinking about using it to insulate your center console, it should work fine. I insulated the entire area above the downpipe and catalytic converter on my RX-7 and it did wonders. You need to make sure you place it so the reflective side faces the heat source (your exhaust system), but it can't touch the exhaust.
Pegasus Racing Heat Barrier page
Those of you thinking about using it to insulate your center console, it should work fine. I insulated the entire area above the downpipe and catalytic converter on my RX-7 and it did wonders. You need to make sure you place it so the reflective side faces the heat source (your exhaust system), but it can't touch the exhaust.