Relocated coils under headers - heat?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,816
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From: Instagram @chevyhotrodder
Relocated coils under headers - heat? I am working on my engine swap and wanted to mount my coils in a hidden location. I found a convenient spot under the headers, but I am concerned about heat affecting the coils. The car will be street driven and autocrossed. Reliability is important, but I'm not sure how much of a problem having the coils here would be. The nearest primary tube is about 2" away and there is open area under the coils. I suspect airflow from driving will cool them a bit, but they may get soaked while sitting.
What do you think? Will these things live down here okay or am I going to have problems?
Here's what they look like loosely in place while the engine was still supported by the hoist. You can see one of the coils broke as I was removing the plug wire. I think it must have already been cracked before I got it because the wire pulled off like normal with the missing piece of plastic left inside the boot. I'll have to pickup a replacement.
And here is what they look like with the header installed.
What do you think? Will these things live down here okay or am I going to have problems?
Here's what they look like loosely in place while the engine was still supported by the hoist. You can see one of the coils broke as I was removing the plug wire. I think it must have already been cracked before I got it because the wire pulled off like normal with the missing piece of plastic left inside the boot. I'll have to pickup a replacement.
And here is what they look like with the header installed.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 11
I think you have a legitimate concern. Generally speaking electronic/electrical parts do not work as well or carry as much load when hot as they do when cooler. The question is, is there enough airflow around the coil packs to keep them in a good operating environment? You have the motor on one side and the headers on the other side putting out heat.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 86
From: Instagram @chevyhotrodder
At a minimum I will add a heat shield to deflect radiant heat coming off the headers. I am thinking something like this.
This would leave the bottom open to allow airflow. Not sure about the need for splash protection.
This would leave the bottom open to allow airflow. Not sure about the need for splash protection.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 11
"This would leave the bottom open to allow airflow. Not sure about the need for splash protection."
You are probably OK concerning slash from water in that location. Heat shields will work if designed correctly. Sounds like you are on the right track.
You are probably OK concerning slash from water in that location. Heat shields will work if designed correctly. Sounds like you are on the right track.
Only long term testing will confirm, but I'd consider shielding while you're at it. I relocated my coils under try headers on my 4th gen and will be tweaking the design to add shields over the winter....certainly wont hurt. Will also be going with a custom Firecore wire set.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 86
From: Instagram @chevyhotrodder
LPE 403 have you had any driving on the car yet? It looks almost too nice to drive, but on the other hand too awesome not to drive. I really like what you did with it.
A lot of starter motors die from header heat. Don't see why you would put coils under that kind of stress. On the vette, I mounted mine inside the inner fenders where they stay dry and much cooler.
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My set up is similar to some other commercially available relocation kits in appearance, where it differ is my base mount, traced to mounting onto non metallic base - to avoid direct heat conduction. The idea is having the set, elevated and exposed to surrounding ambient air with the shortest possible plug wire runs:
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/P1010354.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/P1010355.jpg
My hood is also subtly modified to extract hot engine air passively, as #7 suffers the most in the OEM close hood configuration:
OEM hood latch with T6 spacer:
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/P1010013.jpg
Delrin bumper stopper:
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/P1010015.jpg
Hood closed and locked down:
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/P1010016.jpg
Hope that helps your brainstorming!
