Lagged/Flushed My Intercooler, Best Mod for any WTA 3S-GTE Options

[Kadett]

Past week I've been doing some (major) maintenance and replacement of parts for my car.
Aussie Downpipe installed
Thermostat Replaced
Radiator Replaced
Fuel Filter Replaced
Air Filter Replaced
Power Steering Fluid Replaced
Installed C-one Strut Brace

But the best mod I've done is lagging my Intercooler with heat resistant Alumunium cloth. Sure the downpipe has done some (still need to weld up the rest of 3" exhaust) stuff to the acceleration and a nice and healthy deep growl comes out of the (soon-to-be-replaced crappy exhaust). With the WTA IC it used to be too hot to touch when I've done some spirited driving. Now it's completely cold after a few hard runs. The heat can't be absorbed by the water/steel-underside now and thus making the IC+Xchanger alot cooler.

This is the stuff I used:

Thermo Tec Adhesive Backed Heat Barrier - Part# 13585 24x36"
Thermo Tec Adhesive Heat Barrier Tape - Part# 14002 1-1/2" wide x 15 feet

I rapped the sides with 1 layer and the underside with 2 layers. I did the intake/exhaust pipes and the waterpipes with the 1-1/2" tape. Beforehand, I used petrol to clean out the inside of the IC to clean up all Oil vapors that had accumulated in the past 14 years. It took about 1,5 gallons to (almost) completly clean the inside of the IC.

Here's a picture of my lagged WTA installed. Also took the liberty of spraying the Heatshield.



Next up (most next year)

- 3" Exhaust (next week I hope)
- Coolant hosed replaced by Samco Hoses
- Replace Valve Cover gasket
- Paint Valve Cover
- Straight intake
- Battery removed to boot (prob this year)
- HKS SLD (to remove speed limiter)
- Boost controller
- 10 row Oil Cooler

This post has been edited by Kadett: Nov 24, 2007 - 11:16 AM

[tankd0g]

Where does the heat radiate from on those? Just though that cover?

[Batman722]

looks great, nice job smart move

[bccentaur3]

Nice work. What color are you planning on painting the valve cover?

[Kadett]

Nice work. What color are you planning on painting the valve cover?

The same as the Heat shield. It holds up pretty good and it's not that flashy. I wanted to chrome/polish them but thats too much bling for my taste. Also the reason I didn't end up with a Koyo rod, and the fact it was €100 more expensive and need to trim down the radiator fan.

[lagos]

Is your water pump set to run constantly?

[Kadett]

No, but I dont believe thats an issue on the ST205. Many people on UK forums say that the ST205 control unit of the waterpump is as good as it is.

[phattyduck]

I tried this with my ST205 intercooler and all the tape just fell off... It was even the good Thermo-Tec stuff...

It is supposed to be good to temps much higher than it was seeing, but the adhesive just melted all over the place and even got on my freshly painted heat shield (used to look like yours! ).

-Charlie

[Kadett]

Strange, because the UK GT4 guys dont seem to have this problem. Maybe lack of airflow underneath your bonnet could be the reason? Since I have removed my hood insulation and rain guard, under bonnet temps have gone down alot.

[phattyduck]

Strange, because the UK GT4 guys dont seem to have this problem. Maybe lack of airflow underneath your bonnet could be the reason? Since I have removed my hood insulation and rain guard, under bonnet temps have gone down alot.

I plan on putting in a reverse hood scoop above the turbo to help keep temps down... I still don't think that under-hood temps was the main cause. It seems that the adhesive just melted, even halfway back under intercooler.

I will probably try again with the big blanket instead of just the tape. I also read that some good 3M adhesive spray would also work with some non adhesive backed stuff. I have also since added an interior switch to turn on my radiator fans to keep things cooler waiting in line for the drag strip.

-Charlie