Weatherstripping removal..might not be a good idea

[CraigO]

From an aerospace engineers point of view...
removing the rear hood weatherstripping is NOT a good idea.

The way the hood area cooling is configured, the rear weatherstripping seals off the hood area, forcing the cooling air from the front OVER the engine and OVER THE TURBO HOUSING,
cooling it in the process. Removing the weatherstripping appears to negate this important process...

Craig

[bigdogdad]

Coming from a person who buys the "Dummies" series of books, wouldn't the air flow still go over the top of the engine with the weatherstip removed? After all the air would exit through the top where the weatherstripping was. [:I]

[Ant]

I certainly respect your opinion given your background. However I am one of those people who need to see #'s to prove theories. These were tests that were done with #'s to back it that say otherwise. If you are able to run similar tests I would be interested in reading the results. BTW, I believe Bob is an engineer (not sure the type)as well.

Click below:
http://www.bstockum.com/toohot.html

[Kirby]

A lot of backyard hop up remedies may take months or years to show effect (like having the turbo run 10-15 degrees hotter for months or years and finally burning up). Under the warranty of 7 years it has time to effect things. Only when the dealership finds the weatherstrip removed will he then say that this modification negates your warranty, and up to the fatal day they might be your best buddy and congradulate you on your engineering prowess.
Your warranty is like your seatbelt; 99% of the time you don't need it, but when you do you are glad to have it!

[Ant]

I would never give the dealer the option of taking a warranty claim away by something as simple as replacing the weatherstriping before it is taken in to them. It takes ~30 sec to push into place. If I was happy with the results of a mod I performed, then I would continue to run with that change. If I needed to take the car in to the dealer for any reason at all, I would not give them any kind of fuel to deny a future warranty claim and I would put the car back to OEM before taking it in.

[Gary04GT]

quote:...removing the rear hood weatherstripping is NOT a good idea.

I agree--it's just not worth the hazzle--should your hood paint begin peeling in a couple years due turbo engine heat--to try to convince your dealer that the problem should be covered under warranty. Also, I am not sure that making this mod will really provide any significant performance increase. Just my two cents.

[flashbk2]

No one said removing the weatherstrip improves performance . The statement said it enhanced engine area cooling ! As far as Craig O. read links about Stockum tests it was done with real test equipment . Theory doesn't always follow function!

[Ant]

quote:Originally posted by flashbk2

No one said removing the weatherstrip improves performance . The statement said it enhanced engine area cooling ! As far as Craig O. read links about Stockum tests it was done with real test equipment . Theory doesn't always follow function!

Thanks Flashy! I finally found this place.

[CraigO]

Airflow does go over the top of the engine with the weatherstripping removed....and that itself is the problem. You want that air going OVER the Turbo housing as God and DC intended!

I have a problem with the statement below from the "Stockum tests it was done with real test equipment" article:

"Feel the hot air? ... That is just from convection, the hot air rises and pulls cool air into the engine bay from the bottom, just the way we want it. On the highway, the air rushes out! I am going to do two things."

This does NOT happen at highway speeds, or at any speed at all.
Massive amounts of air come through the huge frontal area front of the PT via the radiator opening and flows through the engine compartment and OVER the turbo housing - cooling it.

I can see the curb appeal of "Hey!, lookit all the air comin' outta my hood where those dopes at DC put that silly weatherstripping!"

The engineers at Chrysler can be counted on as job 1 to hook up REAL TEST EQUIPMENT - I mean the real thing - to test those Turbo temps.
I guarantee you the weatherstripping removal is not a good idea.

It must remain in place to direct the air OVER those HOT engine components - THE TURBO! - and cool that mother down.

The air flows into the engine, over and around the engine, and over the top and over the Turbo housing. I sure don't want a lack of air killing my Turbo housing just because the weatherstripping removal seemed like a sexy mod that must be done.

Not arguing, educating based on experience and design engineering principles.

Cheers and happy motoring![^]

THX
Craig

[Ant]

quote:Originally posted by CraigO


Massive amounts of air come through the huge frontal area front of the PT via the radiator opening and flows through the engine compartment and OVER the turbo housing - cooling it.

The air flows into the engine, over and around the engine, and over the top and over the Turbo housing. I sure don't want a lack of air killing my Turbo housing just because the weatherstripping removal seemed like a sexy mod that must be done.

Cheers and happy motoring![^]

THX
Craig

When the massive amounts of air enter through the front of the PT and cool the engine and turbo what happens to the air then? It would seem that the air is heated then would rise and get trapped inside the engine bay with no way to escape due to the tight seal created by the weatherstripping. I would think the air would circulate around all engine components with the strip gone and also allow an escape of the hot air and circulation of the fresh air.
If you are interested and able to test both ways under specified conditions I would be more open to your theory when you have solid #'s to back it.
I compare this to a room in your house with a window at each end of the room. If you open 1 window it will allow outside air to enter, but not circulate efficiently. If you open both, the air passes through freely and does not become stagnant.