Ok for all those that have short rams or something similar like the AEM or Cobb units, I just got off the phone with a mechanical engineer with 20+ years of dealing with plastics. He seems to thing that you could definitely use Lexan sheets to build an isolation box for a short ram. The stuff is easy to work with, similar to acrylic, better heat resistance and insulating properties than ABS (like factory box), is resistant to fumes, oil, gas, etc and could be a great application. As soon as I get a new turbo, I will be building one of these to isolate the MAF and the short ram AEM intake that I have. For those not familiar with Lexan, it is a clear plastic used to make bullet proof glass, etc. Now I just have to figure the best way to pipe air into the box! The summer heat just reall got me thinking about this, even with my factory box I was getting some crazy temps.
Some info I found...actually very reasonable pricing. About $60 for a 24x48" sheet of .220 thinkness, about $125 for a sheet of .375 inch. Trying to find something in between the two. Engineering specifications for LEXAN® 9034-112 Polycarbonate Sheet Products: Tensile Strength – 9,500 psi Compressive Strength – 12,500 psi Water Absorption (24 hours) – 0.15% Heat Deflection Temperature @66 psi - .280°F Brittle Temperature -211°F Flammability - Horizontal Burn (Flame Spread) AEB, Value <1 Material Notes: For the best UV and abrasions resistance, see LEXAN® MR10 polycarbonate sheet. This sheet product is recommended for high traffic and high impact areas. In order to maintain the brilliant luster of LEXAN® sheet and to avoid scratching, proper cleaning techniques are required. Use only approved (Modern Magic® MicroFiber) cleaning cloths and our line of (Novus®) polishes and scratch removers for usage on all polycarbonate sheet products. (See related products)
your temps were lower than the ambient air? Not sure how that would be possible...dd you mean 100 degree temps in 90 degree heat?
no other way aroudn i was tunign with SS.. when the car was parked temps were 140 .. 100 yards down it was literally 90*s ..dont ask how.. but air temp that day was 100*
I have some 1/2" lexan that I bought for a project, but never used. Would this work? PM me if you want some, and I can sell it relatively cheap. -- Brian
Ya half inch would work, not sure exactly how much I will need. I will have to get some measurements. It is a little more thick than I would have used due to expense, but if ya gonna run a deal...
Got my box built today. Looks crappy but the IAT temps were only 5 degrees higher than outside temps. Check my ongoing I Hate My WRX thread.
Hey, I could really use a custom CAI box for my short intake too! If you have any extra material and pointers let me know please.
Will do. I want to try it out on mine first before anyone else in case something is not right or the whole thing melts down, lol. In theory though it should work fine.