Duratec footwell temps -- heat insulation kit

[John Vine]

While my engine and gearbox are out, I'm thinking about fitting CC's heat insulation kit to reduce footwell temps.  The car is an R400D S3, and I've already removed the nosecone cowl and wrapped the primaries.  Both of these helped, but I'd like to go further.

Does anyone have any long-term experience with this kit?  Does it work?  Is it worth it?  Can I leave the propshaft in place?  Are there alternatives?

All advice welcomed...

JV

[Nigel B]

My 2017 420R S3 is fitted with heat insulation that looks the same as the kit in your link.

I find it very effective. I'd read about problems with footwell heat in Duratec cars before I bought the 420, so I was expecting it to get warm, particularly in hot weather. But in reality it feels very similar to my previous 7. (An 8 valve Vauxhall, that admittedly had no heat insulation fitted!)

If you're experiencing problems with excessive cockpit heat, I'd say it would be worth the investment.

[ScottR400D]

I'd agree with Nigel. My car has had it since new and while the tunnel gets quite warm, I've never found it unbearable at all. 

[John Vine]

Thanks, chaps.  I take it both your cars came with the kit already fitted by the factory?

JV

[Nigel B]

My car was a couple of years old when I bought it, but I presume the heat insulation was fitted from new. It's a factory built car & the insulation is very neatly installed.

[John Vine]

Thanks for that.  I'll call Darren tomorrow to discuss.

JV

[aerobod - near CYYC]

My car had the kit fitted from new, car has been run in 35°C ambient temps while wearing shorts, no really hot surfaces that are too uncomfortable to rest bare legs against.

[7 wonders of the world]

Aren't you sat in the wrong side of the car though James......   

[aerobod - near CYYC]

True that, but I haven't melted the soles off any passenger's shoes, just left their bare skin on the silencer when they get out.

[John Vine]

Ouch! But good to hear that the kit works.

JV

[ScottR400D]

My kit was delivered in December '14 and came with the insulation already installed. 
 

[Geoff Brown]

JV - the insulation does reduce the foot well temperature but by how much is up for conjecture. From experience if the ambient temperature is about 20-22c foot well comfort is OK - gas mark 3

23-25c gas mark 6. 25-30c gas mark 8. 

Touring central France mid summer got a bit uncomfortable !

[John Vine]

Touring central France mid summer got a bit uncomfortable !

Oh yes.  In 2019 I was heading north from the Gers to Brittany in ambients of 35C.  To say I was melting would be an understatement.  I had to put the half hood up for the shade.

JV

[Andy Mac]

Guys. I have a 420R and the heat in the foot wells can be horrid. In the summer, I can't run with the roof on at all. Even with the screen in place against aero makes a huge difference in temp.

So I need to get the temp out of the engine bay.

I have not wrapped my primaries,  that will be this weekends job. But Just checking what I should buy. There's quite a lot of choice out there.

First off, what temp rating should I go to? Ranges from 550C to over 1000C. 25mm or 50mm?

Any recommendations gratefully received.

 

[John Vine]

I've just ordered the CC kit (P/N 30P242A).  I let you know how I get on.

JV

[John Vine]

Re #14:

I originally used Design 2" in yellow from Demon-Tweeks.  Two 15' rolls were just enough with a 1" overlap, and I secured the ends with locking wire.  I then sprayed them with black silicone.  The smoke when first fired up was impressive!  I think they were rated at up to 650C.

This time, I'm going for the black 2" Pitking, in a 50' roll, with a 1" overlap as before.  I'm not sure what the temp rating is.

JV

[Andy Mac]

Ok. So I just need the temp. I have some ready to buy but it's rated at 550C constant. So just want to be sure that's ok

A bit of info. I have done a little digging and the internal exhaust temps of a Duratec can be circa 1200 Degs C at peak revs. So the 550C wrap will go brittle and fail to do the job.

The higher the temp rating the better. 

 

Just bought this stuff. 15M TITANIUM LAVA ROCK EXHAUST WRAP 50mm (870°C) from 'Flame Barrier'. It's quite heavy duty and will be a pig to fit, but looks far more fit for purpose than the DT options. £38 inc 25 SS ties.

[7 wonders of the world]

Make sure your wear decent gloves and long sleeves as it's nasty stuff to handle

[John Vine]

Re #17: Looks good! 

...and will be a pig to fit...

I take it you plan to remove the primaries first?

JV

[Andy Mac]

Is that a top tip? As I wasn't planning to.

[ScottR400D]

I've used exhaust wrap a few times over the years on race cars, pipes on or off it's a fiddly job!

Have you considered having them ceramic coated? A mate had his done and it was a lot less expensive than you might think. A range of colours too. 

[John Vine]

Re #20:   You don't have to but it's probably easier that way.  On an S3 Duratec, it's just possible to remove all the primaries without disturbing the steering column.  I don't know if that's true of an SV.

The method that worked well for me was this:

1. Mount the pipe vertically in a vice, and start at the flange end with well-soaked wrap. 
2. Clamp the first turn with a jubilee clip, and wind the wrap really tight with a 50% overlap.
3. Secure the loose end with locking wire, remove the jubilee clip, and lockwire that end as well. (Stainless ties would work just as well, I imagine.)

No doubt others do it a different way.

JV 

[7 wonders of the world]

Before you remove the primaries its worth marking the exit point with a sharpie so you know where to end your wrap

[Andy Mac]

All done. If you are planning on wrapping, taking the primaries off is definitely the way to go.

[John Vine]

Well done. We need to see pictures, of course!

Out of interest, did you follow the method in #22 or an alternative?

JV