improving my HMT setup
 

Hey, I need some opinions on ways to improve my kit. While I’m upgrading from ABS to metal charge piping, so I want to improve on some other things too.

I noticed that I have a slight exhaust leak where the HF manifold mates to the adapter plate. What are ways to improve the seal besides buying gaskets? I remember a thread on here asking about turbo gaskets, and someone heard of using old soda cans to make a gasket. Do you guys think that would work? It's ghetto...so I think I’m gonna try it O0 (unless there’s a reason I shouldn’t)

Also, what are some ways to keep the engine bay cooler? Is a aftermarket radiator and aftermarket head gasket the best way to keep the temps down even after loots of boosting? Anybody tries to use things to duct air into the engine bay? Anybody use oil coolers with their stealthmode oil line kit?

Oh, I need to go back to N/A for a few days to make some of these improvements…so can I just plug my oil feed line instead of removing the oil T from the back of the block?
thanx

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

Why do you want your engine bay cooler? The extra heat comes with adding a turbo setup to your car. You could always try adding some washers so the back of your hood lifts ups a little bit.

What kind of turbo do you have? Just get a factory turbo gasket. If you have a T3, get one from an 87 Thunderbird ;)

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

The reason why I want a cool engine bay is to improve reliability (heat is the enemy) AND I want to keep the engine bay cooler for autoX and HPDEs. Most people here who have done HPDEs reported back to say that they did them with a N/A car. I think they chose N/A cars instead of their boosted ones because of the fear of overheating. AutoX won’t be THAT bad since you will only boost for about 1.5 min per run...but HPDEs will have the car be in boost for 20 mins at a time...that’s a lot of heat!

I can try the washer trick; it probably will help vent some of the extra heat.

Does anybody know if it will be okay to plug up the oil feed line while I go N/A for a few days, or must I undo the whole oil line kit?

Oh yeah, I have a T3 (.42/.48) with an HF manifold.

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

You should not only try to lower the temperature of the engine bay, but also the engine's temperature.

1. Yes, a larger after market radiator with a high pressure cap will help.
2. Add some Water Wetter or Purple Ice to your coolant.
3. Add an oil cooler.
4. Run a little richer mixture. The extra gas will help cool the cylinders.

Hopefully someone will have some other suggestions.

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

You can just plug your oil feed line, but I don't quite understand the questions.

You said "without removing the rest of the kit" but if you are going NA, I assume this means removing your turbo, which would also be removing the drain line, which is part of the kit?

You can plug both lines. You must have a very good plug for the pressurized feed line ;)

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

Running too rich is bad...read in tunning section.

I believe Joseph Davis recommended using acetone instead of water wetter...but I may be wrong.

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

My fault for not being clear...I was only referring to the oil line kit. I am removing the whole turbo kit, but I dont want to remove the oil line...I just want to plug it up for a few days. I have a plug for the oil pan...I used it after I used my drilled oil pan, but before I went turbo. I just need something for the oil line itself.


Also, I do want to lower temps inside the engine, but I wasn’t sure If I had much control over that…so I figured I could at least cool the engine bay. I’ll see if I can use my oil cooler (I pulled it form a j-yard Volvo) with my stealthmode oil line kit. I imagine that I would only use the proper fittings and a good location to make it work. This should help keep things cool quite a bit. You think I can cut the oil cooler to make it shorter somehow? Its kinda long, and would fit better if it was shorter.

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

By lifting the the hood in the rear wouldn't this lower the clearance in the front where the turbo is making it closer to the hood? I've touched the hood (on the inside lifting it) and I didn't get burnt, but it was pretty hot. Just a thought, but I seen what you said done. Cheap JDM Cowl Induction style. ;)


Oh and homie, you want to improve your set-up and use a pop can to make a gasket. ::)


JP

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

i wasnt serious....a turbo gasket is only a few bucks, or less at the right places.

Re: improving my HMT setup
 

Acetone is one of the ingrediants in water wetter if I remember right. Joe's idea is more of a money saving way. All water wetter does is enhance the heat transfer process. I use it in mine, a bit more than reccomended but oh well...I can let my b16 sit at idle with my eg 1/2 rad without the fan on for at least an hour and it won't overheat ;)