HOw does a C5 vent engine heat?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 16
From: Katy Tx
I think most of it goes out under the car - if you look at the air dam in front, it picks up the air and deflects it through the radiator - then, noting the angle the rad. sits--the fans pull the air through the radiator and downward between the rad. and the engine. No air is directed out the side coves.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
From: Redding CA
I think most of it goes out under the car - if you look at the air dam in front, it picks up the air and deflects it through the radiator - then, noting the angle the rad. sits--the fans pull the air through the radiator and downward between the rad. and the engine. No air is directed out the side coves.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
It does not seem like there is much area devoted to ventilation.
I used a Carchip data logger (http://www.carchip.com/Products/8226.asp) to monitor engine intake air temps under a variety of driving conditions. Intake temp (OEM intake box) is a good way to determine how hot your engine bay gets, as your intake pulls air from around the intake box.
After just 5-10 minutes of slow driving on a Summer (80 degree F) day, I saw intake air temps climb up to 144F. Even after 10 minutes of highway driving, the intake air temps never got anywhere near ambient temps, so it was obvious that all that heat was not being expelled.
After finishing my CAI intake mod, which includes a scoop and cutting out a rectangular hole underneath the Halltech filter, I ran the same test. This time, intake temps never got past 110F and dropped rapidly to ambient as the car picked up speed. The engine bay remained very cool, unlike before the mod when I would return home to find the engine bay components so hot I could barely touch them.
You can achieve some of the same benefits by opening up the fog light panels. To aid in relieving underhood pressure, I cut a length of the hood weatherstripping (don't drive in the rain) - something that was recommended by a former GM employee who worked on the C5.
Of course, a heat exchanger hood would get the heat out, effectively if designed correctly.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 0
From: Homer Glen IL
You are correct. Engine heat that jacks up engine temps, especially during stop & go driving, has a hard time expelling itself.
I used a Carchip data logger (http://www.carchip.com/Products/8226.asp) to monitor engine intake air temps under a variety of driving conditions. Intake temp (OEM intake box) is a good way to determine how hot your engine bay gets, as your intake pulls air from around the intake box.
After just 5-10 minutes of slow driving on a Summer (80 degree F) day, I saw intake air temps climb up to 144F. Even after 10 minutes of highway driving, the intake air temps never got anywhere near ambient temps, so it was obvious that all that heat was not being expelled.
After finishing my CAI intake mod, which includes a scoop and cutting out a rectangular hole underneath the Halltech filter, I ran the same test. This time, intake temps never got past 110F and dropped rapidly to ambient as the car picked up speed. The engine bay remained very cool, unlike before the mod when I would return home to find the engine bay components so hot I could barely touch them.
You can achieve some of the same benefits by opening up the fog light panels. To aid in relieving underhood pressure, I cut a length of the hood weatherstripping (don't drive in the rain) - something that was recommended by a former GM employee who worked on the C5.
Of course, a heat exchanger hood would get the heat out, effectively if designed correctly.
I used a Carchip data logger (http://www.carchip.com/Products/8226.asp) to monitor engine intake air temps under a variety of driving conditions. Intake temp (OEM intake box) is a good way to determine how hot your engine bay gets, as your intake pulls air from around the intake box.
After just 5-10 minutes of slow driving on a Summer (80 degree F) day, I saw intake air temps climb up to 144F. Even after 10 minutes of highway driving, the intake air temps never got anywhere near ambient temps, so it was obvious that all that heat was not being expelled.
After finishing my CAI intake mod, which includes a scoop and cutting out a rectangular hole underneath the Halltech filter, I ran the same test. This time, intake temps never got past 110F and dropped rapidly to ambient as the car picked up speed. The engine bay remained very cool, unlike before the mod when I would return home to find the engine bay components so hot I could barely touch them.
You can achieve some of the same benefits by opening up the fog light panels. To aid in relieving underhood pressure, I cut a length of the hood weatherstripping (don't drive in the rain) - something that was recommended by a former GM employee who worked on the C5.
Of course, a heat exchanger hood would get the heat out, effectively if designed correctly.
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Safety Car
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From: Madison Wi
Well, there are baffles in the side vents to prevent the eye from seeing the ugly inner fender, but the baffles in no way come close to blocking off the opening air tight. There is open space on the top and bottom.
At highway speed, I'd imagine the air rushing past the vents makes quite a suction and pulls a considerable amount of air through the vents.
Crack your window an inch on the highway and hold up a cigarette. THe suction pulls all the smoke right out.
Not that I smoke, or condone smoking in a car, let alone a Vette.
Note: Eckler's sells foglight trim pieces that have slots cut in them to replace the stock solid pieces. $75
I'm sure one of our supporting venders has them at a lower price somewhere if you ask around.
At highway speed, I'd imagine the air rushing past the vents makes quite a suction and pulls a considerable amount of air through the vents.
Crack your window an inch on the highway and hold up a cigarette. THe suction pulls all the smoke right out.
Not that I smoke, or condone smoking in a car, let alone a Vette.
Note: Eckler's sells foglight trim pieces that have slots cut in them to replace the stock solid pieces. $75
I'm sure one of our supporting venders has them at a lower price somewhere if you ask around.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
I've found a noticeable drop in engine compartment temperature since I installed my Z06 foglight screens and opened up the plastic front bumper coves. This is especially true after a highway cruise. I can't understand why GM did not do this with all models. They definitely saw the benefits of opening up the bumper coves with the Z06.
