$10 mod makes a difference
06-17-2003, 05:42 PM
#1
$10 mod makes a difference
After a few minutes of driving I'd notice a drop off in power on my new 2K3, especially "torquiness". With temps hovering in the mid 90's I figured I'd help the motor cool down more efficiently and removed the thick plastic engine cover. Before doing this the intake manifold would get VERY hot to the touch - I guess since it was almost halfway covered snugly by the engine cover. Now after drving aroung and letting the motor get up to operating temp the manifold is noticeably cooler. I also added RedLine water wetter (cost about 10 bucks) to the coolant.
This has made a noticeable difference in performance especially after the motor is up to operating temp.
This has made a noticeable difference in performance especially after the motor is up to operating temp.
now i have a new project
06-17-2003, 05:59 PM
#3
Sounds pretty good. It would be great if actual underhood temperatures can be taken. Here's another idea I got from my brother who is a PT Cruiser nut. He got it from one of the PT Cruiser "gurus".
http://www.bstockum.com/toohot.html
http://www.bstockum.com/toohot.html
06-17-2003, 06:24 PM
#5
Originally posted by spta97
Any pics of the 3.5 with the engine cover removed? I like the way it looks on but if I get more hp with it off I might have to. Also, which mod made more of a difference? Redline or - cover?
Any pics of the 3.5 with the engine cover removed? I like the way it looks on but if I get more hp with it off I might have to. Also, which mod made more of a difference? Redline or - cover?
06-17-2003, 08:17 PM
#6
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 285
Originally posted by sleepermax
I'm not sure since I did both at the same time. The manifold doesn't get NEARLY as hot though so that's got to help.
I'm not sure since I did both at the same time. The manifold doesn't get NEARLY as hot though so that's got to help.
06-17-2003, 08:29 PM
#8
Originally posted by SR20DEN
Engine cover: already removed
Water Wetter:, already in.
One mod you didn't list: Bypass the TB coolant hose to keep the hot water out of it.
Engine cover: already removed
Water Wetter:, already in.
One mod you didn't list: Bypass the TB coolant hose to keep the hot water out of it.
06-17-2003, 09:13 PM
#10
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 285
Coolant goes into the TB to warm it up during winter months so you dont get icing.
To block the coolant, all you need is a machined phenolic TB spacer, which will do 2 things. (this is how its done on the gtp, the plumbing might be different on the max.
1. Block the hot coolant from entering the throttle body,
2. Isolate the throttlebody from the intake manifold so heat transfer will be much less. A cooler throttle body is a happier throttle body. With a lower intake air temperature your engine will run better.
To block the coolant, all you need is a machined phenolic TB spacer, which will do 2 things. (this is how its done on the gtp, the plumbing might be different on the max.
1. Block the hot coolant from entering the throttle body,
2. Isolate the throttlebody from the intake manifold so heat transfer will be much less. A cooler throttle body is a happier throttle body. With a lower intake air temperature your engine will run better.
06-17-2003, 09:16 PM
#11
Originally posted by sleepermax
How do you do that?
How do you do that?
06-17-2003, 09:23 PM
#14
Originally posted by MiniRX7
I remember reading the SENTRA guys always did this mod, but i heard the side effects is during those cold winter months...
ED
I remember reading the SENTRA guys always did this mod, but i heard the side effects is during those cold winter months...
ED
I dont think its a hard operation. In just thinking join the hoses together and thats it, and when winter comes connect again. No big deal Matt what do you say?
06-18-2003, 06:15 AM
#17
Originally posted by slag
Coolant goes into the TB to warm it up during winter months so you dont get icing.
To block the coolant, all you need is a machined phenolic TB spacer, which will do 2 things. (this is how its done on the gtp, the plumbing might be different on the max.
1. Block the hot coolant from entering the throttle body,
2. Isolate the throttlebody from the intake manifold so heat transfer will be much less. A cooler throttle body is a happier throttle body. With a lower intake air temperature your engine will run better.
Coolant goes into the TB to warm it up during winter months so you dont get icing.
To block the coolant, all you need is a machined phenolic TB spacer, which will do 2 things. (this is how its done on the gtp, the plumbing might be different on the max.
1. Block the hot coolant from entering the throttle body,
2. Isolate the throttlebody from the intake manifold so heat transfer will be much less. A cooler throttle body is a happier throttle body. With a lower intake air temperature your engine will run better.
06-18-2003, 06:24 AM
#18
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 285
Originally posted by SR20DEN
A phenolic spacer is a waste of time. Like Hitman said you have two hoses conencted to the TB, one in and one out. All you have to do is remove both hoses from the TB then remove one of the hoses from it's feed. Then take the other hose and connect to the other feed or return. Basically you will have a coolant loop that does nothing. I have done this on almost every EFI vehicle I have owned (starting with the SE-R) and never noticed any side effects at all.
A phenolic spacer is a waste of time. Like Hitman said you have two hoses conencted to the TB, one in and one out. All you have to do is remove both hoses from the TB then remove one of the hoses from it's feed. Then take the other hose and connect to the other feed or return. Basically you will have a coolant loop that does nothing. I have done this on almost every EFI vehicle I have owned (starting with the SE-R) and never noticed any side effects at all.
06-18-2003, 06:41 AM
#20
Originally posted by NYC2SD
No matter how hot it gets here, even in heavy traffic, my temp gauge never goes past the half way mark. Does this sound right??
No matter how hot it gets here, even in heavy traffic, my temp gauge never goes past the half way mark. Does this sound right??
06-18-2003, 07:25 AM
#21
I want to buy the engine cover if you guys are not going to use it. To hell with engine temp and power, I cruise with my "MAX" anyway.
Originally posted by SR20DEN
For a Nissan yes. The temp can still vary 40º within that halfway point and not show you.
For a Nissan yes. The temp can still vary 40º within that halfway point and not show you.
06-18-2003, 08:50 AM
#23
You're Faster, I'm Better
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 512
Possibly a dumb question
I have a 3.0L engine with the AE engine cover, granted it's not nearly as big as the one on the 3.5L but would it still help? And where would I find these hoses on my 3.0L so that I might bypass?
06-18-2003, 09:04 AM
#24
I took off my engine cover to look, with it off it isn't pretty. But if I can get better performance i'm game and it will keep the cover in good conditon too. What about cleaning the engine with the cover off?????
06-18-2003, 09:23 AM
#25
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 285
Originally posted by kcowden
I'll bite slag... where might one find this "machined phenolic TB spacer" to do this mod??
I'll bite slag... where might one find this "machined phenolic TB spacer" to do this mod??
06-18-2003, 09:35 AM
#26
Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
I haven't even looked at the setup but for the guys that live in parts of the country (world for that matter) that have cold and hot weather, could a bypass line be setup with a couple of valves so that you can either let the coolant go through the TB during cold weather or bypass the TB in the summer months?
06-18-2003, 04:24 PM
#28
Originally posted by slickrick
is there a proven hp gain or should i say lack of losing hp? or does it just lower the temp.
is there a proven hp gain or should i say lack of losing hp? or does it just lower the temp.
but think of it this way. You are eliminating a 180+ degree heat source running through and heating the TB. In term cooling the intake charge, cool the intake charge and you get more power 
06-18-2003, 05:42 PM
#29
Originally posted by raiste
I haven't even looked at the setup but for the guys that live in parts of the country (world for that matter) that have cold and hot weather, could a bypass line be setup with a couple of valves so that you can either let the coolant go through the TB during cold weather or bypass the TB in the summer months?
I haven't even looked at the setup but for the guys that live in parts of the country (world for that matter) that have cold and hot weather, could a bypass line be setup with a couple of valves so that you can either let the coolant go through the TB during cold weather or bypass the TB in the summer months?
06-19-2003, 07:15 AM
#30
Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
Originally posted by sleepermax
I was thinking of soemthing exactly like that - although you wouldn't want to shut the flow off fully during summer months - just 90% closed or so to keep just a little coolant flowing at all times through the TB coolant passages.
I was thinking of soemthing exactly like that - although you wouldn't want to shut the flow off fully during summer months - just 90% closed or so to keep just a little coolant flowing at all times through the TB coolant passages.
I was going along the lines of 2 valves. One for the original line and adding an additional (bypass) line with another valve. This way you can you can valve out the one to the TB and valve in the bypass around the TB to keep the coolant flowing and vice versa.
06-19-2003, 07:19 AM
#31
Originally posted by raiste
I was going along the lines of 2 valves. One for the original line and adding an additional (bypass) line with another valve. This way you can you can valve out the one to the TB and valve in the bypass around the TB to keep the coolant flowing and vice versa.
I was going along the lines of 2 valves. One for the original line and adding an additional (bypass) line with another valve. This way you can you can valve out the one to the TB and valve in the bypass around the TB to keep the coolant flowing and vice versa.
06-19-2003, 04:02 PM
#32
Removed valve (i mean engine cover, just testing you guys) cover -easy
Rerouted coolant lines - a little trickier for an inept mechanic like me but still pretty easy.
Now I just have to find water wetter.
Has anyone removed the weather stripping on the back of the hood? I'm wondering if it's easy to put back if need to.
Rerouted coolant lines - a little trickier for an inept mechanic like me but still pretty easy.
Now I just have to find water wetter.
Has anyone removed the weather stripping on the back of the hood? I'm wondering if it's easy to put back if need to.
06-19-2003, 05:58 PM
#34
Originally posted by 03BlkSETE
Removed valve cover -easy
Rerouted coolant lines - a little trickier for an inept mechanic like me but still pretty easy.
Now I just have to find water wetter.
Has anyone removed the weather stripping on the back of the hood? I'm wondering if it's easy to put back if need to.
Removed valve cover -easy
Rerouted coolant lines - a little trickier for an inept mechanic like me but still pretty easy.
Now I just have to find water wetter.
Has anyone removed the weather stripping on the back of the hood? I'm wondering if it's easy to put back if need to.
Put that back on 
I hope you mean the engine cover.
06-19-2003, 06:28 PM
#35
Originally posted by HitManSE
Valve cover Put that back on
I hope you mean the engine cover.
Valve cover
Put that back on I hope you mean the engine cover.
Yeah, I meant engine cover, not sure how I made that mistake. Oops
06-19-2003, 08:25 PM
#36
Originally posted by 03BlkSETE
I just took it one step further and air cooled my cams and valves. Runs great, just makes a little bit of an oily mess.
Yeah, I meant engine cover, not sure how I made that mistake. Oops
I just took it one step further and air cooled my cams and valves. Runs great, just makes a little bit of an oily mess.
Yeah, I meant engine cover, not sure how I made that mistake. Oops
Never heard of that be4
06-20-2003, 05:22 PM
#37
Originally posted by SR20DEN
A phenolic spacer is a waste of time.
A phenolic spacer is a waste of time.
