I just wanted to share my experience with some of you guys out there that might have had the same problem, here it goes...

I was on my way back with my bro after getting his remote starter installed on his 4th gen Prelude, I was driving my S while he took his lude in. Anyhow to make a long story short, on the way back while driving normal with my S all of a sudden started to idle out. I can see that on my voltmeter gauge that my battery power was draining out, everytime I'd step on the brake or switch the signals on it drains even more. It was a sign of either my battery or alternator was going out, the thing was that I had my bro jump my S 4 times before it gave out. Out of the 4 times that my bro jumped my S I was able to drive for like 4-5 miles before I needed another jump, my main concern was trying to get home. It ended up dead on the side of highway with a state trooper having to call a tow truck, luckily it was a flat bed. While my car was home after getting towed there I kinna got pissed cause I didn't know why and what caused it, I messed with it until I came to a fuse that's labeled ACU? The damn fuse was blown, I think that's the fuse for the alternator but I was so glad that I didn't have to take it to the dealer...

Also does any S2k owner own a Optima yellow top battery? I don't know if it's just mine but it blew a cell after two 1/4 mile race at Rockfall WI speedway. Our S's battery is located right next to the header/exhaust manifold, I had my heat shield removed after installing a SS DC sport header. Anyone out there have the same problems or went through the same problem?

 

Thanks for the tip. If anything similar ever happens to me, I'll make sure to take a look at the fuses first!!

 

Same here

 

Yea that's what I got too, the Optima D51 which worked as it should before that incident. Did any of you guy installed a aftermarket header? I think it blew a cell due to the headers being so hot, not only that but it's also maybe cause I'd removed the heat shield that's between the header and battery. I guess Honda made it for a reason, I didn't think it would really matter if I had removed it. I'm thinking maybe get a vented hood to cool off the extra heat that's generating from the headers, who knows... What do you guys think?...

 

I think you should put the factory heatshield back. Like you said, Honda put it there for a reason. The more I tinker with cars the more I realize how well-engineered they are from the factory. I am but one engineer... whereas Honda has a whole team of people that are probably smarter than me as well as having much larger budgets for R&D.

You want the maximum amount of heat to be retained in your headers as well, so you may want to look into a coating such as Swaintech or some sort of header wrap.

 

I believe you have just answered your own question. Batteries don't like to be boiled. Even if you had kept the black shield, it would have been more beneficial.
I have a Toda header (no heat shields on the header) and the engine bay gets very hot. I have a T.S. vented hood. This hood (and some others) have vents right over the header area - perfect! Makes all the difference in the world in the hot summer.

 

Thanks xviper, the Top secret CF hood was what I was looking for. I know that MG (mastergrade) makes one too but without the vent that over the header, any down fall having that vent there? like water/rain?

 

I apologize for using the term "right" over the header. The last vent on that side is just in front of the first header pipe and off to the right. It is actually posed to vent hot air before it gets into the battery compartment area. I have the T.S. "clone". This one has the same vent near the corner by the windshield but is a "dummy" vent on the clone. Although I have not done it, this vent can be opened to evacuate heat in a case such as yours where you have removed the black heat shield. My shield is still in place so I don't feel the need to open it up. Nevertheless, none of the vents are over any areas that can't take rain falling onto it. I have driven in fairly heavy rainstorms with this hood with no ill effects. The engine bay gets a bit dirty but then, washing it is no problem either.

 

kewl, thanks for the info xviper