X35Design SHO Ecoboost Intake Manifold Spacer

[Autox4fun]

[email protected] is about to release these

 

[Iqoniq]

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

[email protected] is about to release these

So I'm trying to wrap my brain around what this product will accomplish...I know phenolic spacers, in general, typically claim:

1) Lower intake temp by interrupting metal to metal contact

2) increase plenum volume

But not sure how effective it would really be with either of these. Air is moving so fast through the IM, I'm curious how much "heatsoak" it gets from the metal contact. The heat generated by compression of the turbos is what has the most effect on IATs. Even at idle, I'm not sure it effects it enough.

And as far as volume is concerned, I dont have any data on this, but my common-sense-o-meter just says this is a non issue considering the thickness of the spacer not being enough to make a significant difference.

Can anyone help me here? I could very well be wrong. I am not knocking the product, but I am legitimately uneducated on it and the benefits it may afford to the 3.5L.

 

[Autox4fun]

So far I’ve notice an offset of 90 degrees on avg from coolant temps while towing a 2k loaded trailer (Ford Flex) at 75 mph
So far I’m happy with the outcome.
I’ll get some logs soon when I’m not using the car like a truck.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

So far I’ve notice an offset of 90 degrees on avg from coolant temps while towing a 2k loaded trailer (Ford Flex) at 75 mph
So far I’m happy with the outcome.
I’ll get some logs soon when I’m not using the car like a truck.

90 degrees? Wow.... So lower coolant temp is the benefit we will likely see greatest with this?

 

[High on Ethanol]

Hmmm doesn't seem like that would help with power. Can you describe the testing process? Where did you read Temps from? Did you datalog?

 

[rubydist]

So far I’ve notice an offset of 90 degrees on avg from coolant temps while towing a 2k loaded trailer (Ford Flex) at 75 mph
So far I’m happy with the outcome.
I’ll get some logs soon when I’m not using the car like a truck.

What exactly temperature is 90 degrees less with this?

 

[Autox4fun]

Hmmm doesn't seem like that would help with power. Can you describe the testing process? Where did you read Temps from? Did you datalog?

My long drive test was driving a load 45 minutes to my camp area
So hills, stop and go traffic, and max speed of 75mph
Real life with a little extra work towing
No logs just watching IAT2 and coolant data via Livewire TS.

 

[High on Ethanol]

Need to log IAT and IAT2 and have a previous log before spacers at same conditions to compare. For all we know, nothing has changed.

For example my IAT2 in my truck is usually around 90 to 120, but my coolant is usually around 210 to 220.
so would spacers even make a difference for me?

 

[yaycandy]

Oh yea, saw that or something similar at PRI. Forgot all about it.

 

[skyshadow07]

So I'm trying to wrap my brain around what this product will accomplish...I know phenolic spacers, in general, typically claim:

1) Lower intake temp by interrupting metal to metal contact

2) increase plenum volume

But not sure how effective it would really be with either of these. Air is moving so fast through the IM, I'm curious how much "heatsoak" it gets from the metal contact. The heat generated by compression of the turbos is what has the most effect on IATs. Even at idle, I'm not sure it effects it enough.

And as far as volume is concerned, I dont have any data on this, but my common-sense-o-meter just says this is a non issue considering the thickness of the spacer not being enough to make a significant difference.

Oh man, this is a difficult one. Aluminum conducts heat VERY well. Think of heat as energy, it moves it better than all but one other natural metal. I know that soaking my intake manifold in ice before a pull at the drags results in lower temps. So I would imagine that goes both ways.

Increasing the plenum volume would increase lower end torque. But how much is the real question.

I feel like someone should take temp readings straight off the manifold for before and after. I also feel like the volume change might not be enough to see on a dyno, but someone should dyno a before and after.

 

[High on Ethanol]

Oh man, this is a difficult one. Aluminum conducts heat VERY well. Think of heat as energy, it moves it better than all but one other natural metal. I know that soaking my intake manifold in ice before a pull at the drags results in lower temps. So I would imagine that goes both ways.

Increasing the plenum volume would increase lower end torque. But how much is the real question.

I feel like someone should take temp readings straight off the manifold for before and after. I also feel like the volume change might not be enough to see on a dyno, but someone should dyno a before and after.

IAT2 is a very good indicator of engine air before combustion

Any additional information would be appreciated as far as testing goes.

 

[skyshadow07]

You guys that run SCT tuners like the IAT2 temp because you can't see CAC_T lol. Torrie (in about 3 words) explained the IAT2 was a calculated temp number with less accuracy than the CAC_T temp output. But I agree the IAT2 is directly on the manifold.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Oh man, this is a difficult one. Aluminum conducts heat VERY well. Think of heat as energy, it moves it better than all but one other natural metal. I know that soaking my intake manifold in ice before a pull at the drags results in lower temps. So I would imagine that goes both ways.

Increasing the plenum volume would increase lower end torque. But how much is the real question.

I feel like someone should take temp readings straight off the manifold for before and after. I also feel like the volume change might not be enough to see on a dyno, but someone should dyno a before and after.

Idk, I understand how conductive aluminum is in regards to heat, but the heat the IM is soaking isn't just directly from the metal block underneath. It's surrounded in hot engine bay radiant and convected heat that a phenolic spscer cannot isolate it from. Not to mention, the hot engine coolant passes right through it via the thermostat housing and underneath it in a metal tube (I've had that tube ceramic coated for this very reason) soaking up that heat.

I've also done the ice water trick at the track, and unless I'm running literally the instant after I spray it on, it has no effect, the IATs just rises right back within a minute or so, so as I'm approaching the line, it's right back where it was. I just stopped doing that altogether at the track because of that.

And that spacer looks 1/2" in thickness from what I can tell in the photos, and I cant see that making a huge difference in volume, all things considered.

Anyway, I love the idea of this product, I just don't know how effective it can really be. That being said, I've spent more money on less effective things before, so it wouldn't be the last time lol.

 

[High on Ethanol]

You guys that run SCT tuners like the IAT2 temp because you can't see CAC_T lol. Torrie (in about 3 words) explained the IAT2 was a calculated temp number with less accuracy than the CAC_T temp output. But I agree the IAT2 is directly on the manifold.

I use hptuners but I try to reference things for old school SCT guys, I know how tough getting the points just right can be.

 

[skyshadow07]

I've also done the ice water trick at the track, and unless I'm running literally the instant after I spray it on, it has no effect, the IATs just rises right back within a minute or so, so as I'm approaching the line, it's right back where it was. I just stopped doing that altogether at the track because of that.

I put a bag of ice on top of my engine/manifold for about 10min between runs. lol

 

[Sgtmeatsauce1]

I never do anything but lower tire pressure have 1/2 tank 93 and let er rip. I like to see real times id do on a street vs the world. Full trunk of crap etc....

 

[mrhighcaliber]

The spacer is what I've been waiting on to complete my anti heat soak protocol for the intake manifold. Got on the list as soon as I saw this on FB! Been waiting months since I saw a cad drawing of it.

Some 1/2 wall heater/HVAC pipe insulation for 1" pipe, wrapped in foil tape.

This coolant outlet pipe sees highest coolant temperatures in our engine. Our aluminum intake manifold surrounds this pipe within an inch on all sides.

The manifold spacer should reduce heat transfer from the cylinder head. I can't wait to get out all of my tc's and temperature capture equipment to see what the difference is with both of these mods in place.

200°f+ temps radiating off this pipe directly on to our aluminum heatsink of a manifold. At idle, on a warm day, 170°f IAT2 temps aren't uncommon after idling for 5mins or so.

High IAT2 temps definitely effect off the line performance.

Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

The spacer is what I've been waiting on to complete my anti heat soak protocol for the intake manifold. Got on the list as soon as I saw this on FB! Been waiting months since I saw a cad drawing of it.

Some 1/2 wall heater/HVAC pipe insulation for 1" pipe, wrapped in foil tape.

This coolant outlet pipe sees highest coolant temperatures in our engine. Our aluminum intake manifold surrounds this pipe within an inch on all sides.

The manifold spacer should reduce heat transfer from the cylinder head. I can't wait to get out all of my tc's and temperature capture equipment to see what the difference is with both of these mods in place.

200°f+ temps radiating off this pipe directly on to our aluminum heatsink of a manifold. At idle, on a warm day, 170°f IAT2 temps aren't uncommon after idling for 5mins or so.

High IAT2 temps definitely effect off the line performance.

Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Yeah, I was thinking about doing that as well. I've had mine sent off to Jet Hot to ceramic coat mine.

 

[Jordan_R]

I put a bag of ice on top of my engine/manifold for about 10min between runs. lol

Between runs? Amateur... Shut the hood with it still on there. Wait **** giving away my secrets... LOL