Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications General Mods Reflective coating on airbox?

Has anyone with a K&N in the stock SVT airbox
experimented with reflective coatings on the
airbox surface? Instead of using a resistor
to fool the computer into thinking intake air
temperature is colder than it is in reality,
a very reflective mylar or adhesive aluminum
finish coating on the airbox may reflect some
heat and reduce intake air temperature.

T.

I've been monkeying around with this idea for a while, and think I'm finally going to spring for some reflective insulation-type material for my KKM heatshield. Logic tells me it has to help somewhat, but as for proof I've none.

Anything for colder air.

I have thought about doing this mod...though not quite in the same capacity.
Ever been to a store that is really small, and they have mirrors along one wall, and so the place looks twice as big?
Well, I was thinking about using a reflective coating to fool the sensors into thinking that the air passageway was twice as large. That way it would put more fuel into the mix, which would burn more fuel, therefore, more power. Follow me?

Let me know how your endeavor turns out. If it goes well I may try it, too, as I will probably buy the reflective mylar in bulk, and may have a lot left over.

Well, this is what has me thinking:

"The lower the charge intake temperature, the
more power is produced, so the underside of
the airbox was given a coating of reflective
material to deflect the tremendous amount of
engine heat ... this drops intake air
temperature by up to 24 degrees, and it's
worth as much as 20 bhp because ignition
maps push output down to prevent
pre-ignition when the air is warmer."

That's from a Bimmer Magazine article about
the Nowack N500, an M5-based tuner car. They
ended up using the stock airboxes instead of
open-elements but with revisions. Comments?

T.

Not sure how it would handle the temp of the engine compartment, but what about that stuff they use to make AC/Heat ducts in homes. You know the stuff with 'glass insulation on one side and foil on the other. Could be cut and folded into a box to fit on inside or outside of your shield. They used to make the flexible AC duct wraps with foil backing also. If they still make it, a quick test could be done by wrapping some around the stock air box.

I'm thinking along the same lines, but I've seen some stuff that's much thinner that does have some sort of insulation/fiberglass backing as well. I may be nuts, but I'm thinking I saw the stuff at a fireplace/wood stove shop a couple years back.

Either one would probably do the trick.

Do it.. pm me a link for pix, i wana do it! heh..

Ok, I know what you guys are talking about, but have a different idea:
We all know that dark colours attract heat, so why not paint the air box a lighter colour? This will not work as well as the previously mentioned ideas, but it's just a thought.
Any opinions- Yes? No?

I believe that's only the case for light (say sunlight, etc).

*ahem* easy way to cool engine *ahem* hood scoops *clears throat* cold air intake