Something to do is right, I'm just having fun trying to understand the inner workings of my PT Turbo. For one it looks like there is not a lot of info on this subject and 2. there are no aftermarket mods to buy so for the mean time why don't we make our own.
OK I got my temp./ humidity gauge (Target $14). As stated before I want to get a better idea of the temperture of the air going through the air intake system and how the turbocharger effects the ambient air inside the engine bay. And my results are: it gets hot...<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> Big shock there. 160 degrees + when at a stop light. My temp gauge is limited to 160, but I would guess by the rate the temp increassed it had a while before stopping.
Test #1
returned air intake system to stock specifications and placed the temp. sensor in the air box below the stock filter. I ran the engine for 10 miles to get it up to normal running temp.
PT Turbo Stock Air Intake:
Outside Temp: 48 f
Air Box: 52 f
Humidity: 36%
Test #2
Modified fender well intake, K&N drop in filter, Weatherstrip removal (Induction Vent)
PT Turbo Modified Air Intake:
Outside Temp: 49 f
Air Box: 51 f
Humidity: 36%
I ran this test twice at a average speed of 65 mph for ten miles. Than allowing the temp. in the air box to reach 80 degrees f due to the heat that built up in the engine bay approx. 5 minutes. In Test #1 it took 8 miles for the temp which decreased slowly and didn't cool until I stopped where the temp. In the air box was 52f . With the modifications in Test #2 the temp. decreased after the first mile and remained a steady 51 F.
Result: The modified air box cooled down faster and remained 2 degrees f above the outside temperature.
Test #3
I moved the temp. gauge sensor on the intake manifold just behind the 2.4 Liter raised letters and returned the air intake system to stock specs. Since this is the last point in which the air passes before combustion I thought this would be a good place to measure, also the turbo is placed behind this so I felt that if ambient heat from the turbo was going to effect anything it would be here.
PT Turbo Stock Intake:
Outside Air: 48 f
Intake Manifold: 66 f
Humidity 39%
Test #4
Pt Turbo Modified air intake: Same as above (Test #2)
Outside Air: 48 f
Intake Manifold: 61 f
Humidity: 38%
Once again I ran these tests twice average speed 65 mph for 10 miles allowing the temperature in the engine bay to reach 160 degrees f. Due to the limit of the temp. gauge I began each test at 160 f, but I am sure that the ambient air in the engine bay was much higher. The stock set up retained the heat longer and just barely reached 66 f after 9 miles. With the modified set up the Intake Manifold cooled down quickly within 2 miles and remained at 61 f
Result: The modified set up helped vent out the hot 160 +, allowing cold air into the intake during start up and the absence of the weatherstripping inducted cool air into the engine bay alowing the intake manifold to cool to a running temperature of 61 f . The modified set up ran 13 degrees f above outside air.
Conclussion: What does this all mean? Who knows where this is going right, but what the hay it sure is interesting to me<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>