It appears from the images that the rail cap sits inside the rail. It would look so much better if it was a true cap and fit over the top of the rail (kinda like a shoe box with open ends); thereby wrapping the entire upper portion of the rail in carbon. Does this type of cap exist? That I would definitely go for.

TIA...

Jim

 

Regarding temperature of the intake, I actually have some numbers:



Before we get into the calculations, here are the facts and assumptions:

1. Ambient temperature on the day measurements were taken was about 68F.
2. This is using a stock intake, driving on surface streets
3. Both degrees C and F have been used, so I will calculate results for both assuming 1HP/5 degrees
4. This is assuming the gain is LINEAR throughout the temperature range.

You are looking at a difference of (in this case) 68F to 155F or 87F, which is about 20C to 68C, or a difference of about 48C.

Personally, I would think Mugen would state units in Centigrade since Japan uses the metric system. Only the US bothers with non-metric measures. Anyhow, if you want to rehash the numbers:

9/5 * C + 32 = F

and

5/9 * (F-32) = C

are the conversion equations.

You see, even with the shield the intake air temp will never really be the same as the ambient temperature around the car-- even with a CAI. So your numbers WILL be less, likely significantly less. Therefore, the increases I am posting are assuming 100% efficiency of the heat shield will make the intake temperature the same as the ambient air temperature.



So:
68C-20C = 48C which is a 9.6 HP MAX gain (assuming 1HP per 5 deg C).
155F-68F = 87F which is a 17.4 HP MAX gain (assuming 1 HP per 5 deg F).

From the chart above, the car actually got to about 120-125F (31C difference, or 6HP MAX) while it was moving and only got really hot (155F) as it was sitting stuck in traffic. On the freeway (on another chart), the intake temperature drops even lower, to about 110-115F (or 26C difference or 5 HP MAX) at most.

So the end result is that the gains are minimal at best. But that's not the whole purpose of the shield. It has aesthetic as well as performance reasons going for it. It's also a low-to-no-risk mod as it has little to do with anything that would cause an engine failure - provided it does not fall off and chew up the belts. I would bet a dealer would have much less of an issue handling a warranty repair with this on the car than they would if the car had a CAI installed.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by darkknight1999
Its actually heat tape.

 

I'll throw my 2cents in....
First, I don't any reasonable person would expect any HP gains from this, but it does help with heat bog ie. city driving. I was without mine for a week this summer and could definitely tell a difference. Its best for those of use with Comptech/PRM style intake. Guys have seen simular results with placing heat wrap on the posterior surface of the stock box.

 

sorry to bring an old thread bak from the dead. but at the gears install this weekend, while the car was on the lift, we noticed my CF heatshield dangling at the bottom of the car - thank goodness for the xbrace or the shield probably would've been gone. the 4 bolts that attach the shield to the bracket has fallen off.
i'm just wondering if anyone else has encountered this and what the best fix would b.