Icing the intake

[Black Stampede]

Hey guys just a quick question on icing your intake at the track. Is it always worth it or just more so if its really warm out? Because last week at the track I was going to but it turned out only being like 70 degrees out so I didnt think it was worth buying the ice. If the temps are that low is it worth it?
Also, if I do ice it next time, what is the ideal process in terms of icing to get the most out of it?
Thanks alot guys.

 

[mystang94gt]

I think it would still have been worth it. What the ice does it cool down the air coming into the engine and ideally you want the air coming in to be a lot cooler than 70 degrees. The way I did it was get a bag of ice wrap it in a towel and place it on the upper manifold with the hood open. I did that a few weeks ago and after letting it sit on there for about a half hour in between runs I dropped 3 tenths from my previous best. Not sure if it was all from the ice but I know it helped.

 

[moneypit94]

Ideally you should get one of those lazer deals that shows the temp... And when your car gets down to a certian temp run it...

When i took my car to AFM they took rags and wet them down to put on the intake and had a fan blowing on them... But before every pull they made sure that the intake was at or below 80*. They said that if you don't run this at a consistant temp that you will probably end up fighting with the car and the results.

Now having said this, i think it would apply well with racing. To make sure your not fighting with the heat of the car instead of other factors you should run the car at close to the same temp every time if possible..

One other thing they said... The intake will stay cool intill the car is turned off...

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

When i took my car to AFM they took rags and wet them down to put on the intake and had a fan blowing on them... But before every pull they made sure that the intake was at or below 80*. They said that if you don't run this at a consistant temp that you will probably end up fighting with the car and the results.

Did Dan Biggs dyno your car? What did it dyno? One thing I will miss about IL is AFM.

 

[Adrenalin]

(moneypit that is) ...dadgum S/CBlack95GT snuck one in on me!!

Whether it is 70* or 90* outside when you get to the track and shut off your car, pop the hood and do a redneck temp check on the intake. ( that's put the ole finger to it test)

I bet the Redneck Temp. gauge says its hotter than.... well you get the picture.

Ice that intake down until it feels cool to ya at least before and between each run.

That is also what a phenolic spacer helps with... helps keep the heat off the upper. - (personally, I prefer the smallest spacer for my intake. I don't want to increase the runner length anymore then I have to.)

 

[moneypit94]

Did Dan Biggs dyno your car? What did it dyno? One thing I will miss about IL is AFM.

yeah danny did the dyno tuning.. Rick came out and helped a little... had some problems and could only take it to 5k rpms. They said it was due to the fuel pump not being good enough... (255 walbro inline)

But at 5000 rpms the car made 470... Trying to figure out if it was the pump or the injectors they upped the fuel pressure.. They made it to 5200 rpms (SUPER RICH!!! till 5200) and it made 495... So I think it may have 525 or more after i get the fuel problem fixed and they actually put some timing in...

But AFM was by far the most proffesional dyno center that i have taken my car too.

 

[stunner6910]

on my stock car, it took it from a 15.8 to a 15.4, just by leaving the naked bag of ice on top off the intake for 20 minutes

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

But AFM was by far the most proffesional dyno center that i have taken my car too.

Yea I dont look forward to finding a dyno place here in FL after dealing with AFM. I ran my car on their dyno 16 times and never had a problem.

 

[Black Stampede]

Is it best to wrap the bag in a towel or just put it right on the intake?

 

[nicolae88]

It seems almost a waste to me though, because I know at my local track you have to get into line and keep moving up and up. Even if you keep the ice on there while in line, its not going to do much I would think. And yea, whiles its sitting and resting you can put it on, but as soon as you start the car, and get into line, its just gonna heat right back up. I think if you know your going nearly as soon as you start your car, then it would be a good idea to do, but if your waiting in line, not worth much in my opinion.

 

[mystang94gt]

I wrap it in a towel only so it doesnt drip water all over the place. And I wouldnt want to take the chance of the bag melting and sticking to the manifold. But I would say try it out. Nicolae does have a point about the car heating back up if you are in line to long. But if the line is short enough like it was for me, you can let the car sit for a while with the ice, let it get nice and cool, and then just drive up and run.

 

[Black95GTS]

If you're really serious about, you push the car while you're waiting to stage. Then you will feel the effects of it. I guarantee that if you have your car on, and go a through bunch of stop and go before you race, you will NOT run near your best times. Ideally, you drive the car to the track, shut her down, ice your intake, set a fan up facing into your hood, etc, then toss it in neutral and push the car along. You turn it on, give it a second, do your burnout, then go. Rinse and repeat.

 

[stunner6910]

If you're really serious about, you push the car while you're waiting to stage. Then you will feel the effects of it. I guarantee that if you have your car on, and go a through bunch of stop and go before you race, you will NOT run near your best times. Ideally, you drive the car to the track, shut her down, ice your intake, set a fan up facing into your hood, etc, then toss it in neutral and push the car along. You turn it on, give it a second, do your burnout, then go. Rinse and repeat.

could not have said it better.

 

[ChromeYellow94]

on my stock car, it took it from a 15.8 to a 15.4, just by leaving the naked bag of ice on top off the intake for 20 minutes

I think that the driver and other factors got you that extra 4 tenths because even if you had your intake ate -50degree's it still wouldn't do that much. Expecially not on a N/A motor.

Just didn't think it should be left posted like that. It is very misleading.

 

[stunner6910]

I think that the driver and other factors got you that extra 4 tenths because even if you had your intake ate -50degree's it still wouldn't do that much. Expecially not on a N/A motor.

Just didn't think it should be left posted like that. It is very misleading.

sorry but i have to disagree with you,i ran 15.8 four straight times, so that tells me i'm a consistant driver, plus it's an automatic so it's not that hard. the only thing i regret is that that night was free racing so they didn't take 60s ft times. ok, so after i iced the intake for 20 minutes or so, i ran it again and hit a 15.4, then i iced it again for another 20 minutes and also hit a 15.4. the reason why i kept running 15.8 was because i wanted to lower my times so bad i just kept going without letting the car rest and that was very stupid of me, buy hey it was my first time out there. now i'm getting all my mods done and i can't wait to go again.

 

[moneypit94]

I will also say that is very true... I usually run my best time straight off the trailer or After sitting for a long time... And it will be usually 2-4 tenths better...

 

[ChromeYellow94]

Running you car right off the trailer and icing your intake for 20 mins are two very different things. You are right. With the whole motor colder and especially on a fast car it will make a helluva difference. Just don't anybody else expect to gain **** when putting a bag of ice on the intake for 20 mins between runs....