Tunnel Heat Insulation?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 3
Tunnel Heat Insulation?
Has anyone tried using Ceramic Fiber Insulation? Available through Amazon and it comes in rolls of various widths and lengths and is rated to 2,400 degrees! This is primarily a track car so I am thinking about stuffing the tunnel above and below the torque tube with it. Is it necessary to have air passing through the tunnel area? It seems to me that all of the high heat from the cat pipes, is being pushed down the tunnel (like a blast furnace) while the car is at speed on track. I am primarily concerned about protecting the torque tube from excessive heat and preventing as much transfer to the console/passenger area. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!!
thing knower
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,404
Likes: 942
From: wpb
yes, keep the air gap in the tunnel.....
the air pulls the heat from the motor away from the torque tube.....
you would probably wind up overheating all the parts in the tt, as well as transmitting excess heat to the trans/ diff....
all the heat the block generates transfers directly to the torque tube....
the air pulls the heat from the motor away from the torque tube.....
you would probably wind up overheating all the parts in the tt, as well as transmitting excess heat to the trans/ diff....
all the heat the block generates transfers directly to the torque tube....
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
I would tape/insulate the bottom and sides of the tunnel, not stuff the entire tunnel. The torque tube is generating heat also, and transferring heat between components, so you could trap as much heat in as you are keeping out. A little convection can do a lot of cooling.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 3
Thank you both for your excellent advice! I am going to heed that excellent advice and NOT block the air gap in the tunnel. I am now thinking of using header wrap to wrap the down-pipes (after the cat) and the intermediate pipe to help reduce the heat they may be adding to the area.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,669
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
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thing knower
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,404
Likes: 942
From: wpb
its dei reflect-a-cool adhesive backed mat...
wipe down all the surfaces with mineral spirits, then cut to fit, and roll on with an insulation roller....
wipe down all the surfaces with mineral spirits, then cut to fit, and roll on with an insulation roller....
Last edited by drewz06; Aug 12, 2021 at 11:28 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 492
From: Potomac MD
I used the LG Motorsports tunnel blanket. Basically it bolts the the tunnel plate bolts. Come precut with grommets for the bolts to go through. Basically some heat reflector metal outside with some kind of high temp insulator inside it. Maybe 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. I helped a lot - been on car over a decade now. What Drew did is real nice.