Heat Soak - Explaination/Fix?

[Invisible]

Hi All,

I have seen many threads where people mention 'Heatsoak' which is causing them to lose power, particularly it seems on cars running Stg2 or higher remaps / higher performance Cupras etc.

To my limited knowledge 'Heatsoak' is caused when 'warmer' air is drawn in and causes a reduction in power beacuse;

- The colder the air the better it combusts. So if your air intake is near a source of heat (e.g. the engine) then it will be pulling in warmer air (that doesn't combust as well) than a good cold air intake.

- Hot air is less dense than cold, so in effect you get less air into the engine. Cold air you get more air per volume due to it being more dense.

So a few questions;

For those who say they suffer heatsoak is this really noticeable, ie) the Computers/sensors cut power or is it just a case of you feel reduced power on a hot day?

How is a 'heatsoak' problem reduced/eradicated?
- With my limited knowledge I would have thought a good induction kit/CAI and a better intercooler would resolve or is this not the case? (I ask as most of you who say this is a problem already have these components upgraded)

Any knowledge welcome. I ask as it is my intention over time to continue to modify

 

[DanGB]

I think its more of an excuse for people low power figures on RR runs and hyped up by manufacturers to sell intercoolers

 

[DanGB]

Seriously though, the fix would be a larger intercooler, and if your serious, Water/methanol injection, which can push intake air temperatures to ambiant air levels.

 

[andycupra]

My understanding of heat soak is where engine components soak up head which in turn leads to higher inlet temperatures..

for example i thought that one way of getting 'heat soak' was when the car is parked after a run and the inlet manifold gets hot by conduction from the engine block as its no longer cooled my the continual passing of air thorugh it. (next time you go for a drive, pop bonnet immediately after the run and then 10 mins later..)
Some people have therefore replaced the gasket between inlet manifold and engine block with a gasket that should reduce thermal conductiion between the two.

Presumably the charge pipe can suffer from a similair issue even if connected less directly to the engine block. while this may be before the intercooler, this can clearly lead to higher temps into the intercooler affecting temps out of it.

If im right in my understanding, clearly a car on the move will suffer less than a car thats been driven and parked up, or is simply not on the move.

 

[Poverty]

Seriously though, the fix would be a larger intercooler, and if your serious, Water/methanol injection, which can push intake air temperatures to ambiant air levels.

yep thats the best way, a car with a THS cooler fitted for example will maintain lower intake temps and will recover much more quickly after a sustained WOT period

 

[Cupraken]

I can't say I can tell the difference on the road, but on the dyno it's really noticeable after a couple of back to back runs, torque drops right off as the ecu pulls boost. Better i/c really helps here, no question..........

 

[Invisible]

thanks guys, really helpful feedback.

Always nice to know of any pitfalls in the modding arena and how to avoid