Tunnel (heat protection)

[lomondbob]

I've read a lot about heat transfered through the tunnel. Certainly, my Caterham's tunnel was always very hot and quite oppressive when summer driving. I'd like to know if members line the tunnel with some kind of heat reflecting sheet and if so, the extent of coverage. I'm inclined to line the entire inside with something, but need a nudge in this direction. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


Bob

[SJ]

Bob,

I didn't line the tunnel and have not experienced any discomfort (after all most of the time driving in the UK you need all the heat you can get!!). I took the car down to Nice in June and again found no difficulties in temperatures about 30-32 deg and never noticed the tunnel getting warm.

I did however line the engine bay and was advised by the spray shop to line the top of the front wings above the headers to protect the external paint. Can't prove either way whether this was actually necessary.

The only thing I might go back and do is try to dampen the sound coming from the electric fuel pump that sits on the chassis to the rear of the tunnel. Can't hear it when I'm going (due to the engine noise) but on tick over it's quite noticeable.

Regards

SJ

[427FE]

Originally Posted by SJ

I did however line the engine bay and was advised by the spray shop to line the top of the front wings above the headers to protect the external paint.

What did you use for lining ?

[craggle]

Hi Bob

I did line my transmission tunnel with the stuff on the top of this page.

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-128-...eflection.aspx

Can't remember if I got it from here but Think auto do a similar stuff but a bit cheaper.

http://www.thinkauto.com/cgi-bin/sh0...575#aTTEC13575

I gave the bottom of the tunnel a good sand with coarse glass paper then applied brush on high temperature impact glue to both surfaces. don't be tempted to use Aerosol spray glue ever as it will fall off sooner or later.

You need to do some creative cutting to get it round the shapes at the front but it is possible.

Tunnel stays nice and cool all year round.

Craig.

[madjohnny]

Haven't experienced any excess heat in the tunnel area at all and that's un-lined.

Only real place for heat build up is the front wings around the headers and immediately above them on the horizontal surface of the wings.

[craggle]

Agree with John really. One of the main reasons for covering the tunnel was so it looked better if you happened to look in that area.

Gearboxes usually stay quite cool and there is good airflow over it so they don't tend to get that hot.

If you had underfloor exhausts though I would definitely line the underside of the whole car.

I did the stainless lining in the engine bay but I haven't yet covered the inside of the wings above the sidepipes or the underside of the wings. This may be a winter job though.
I was also thinking of covering the underside of the bonnet scoop with something as I don't like the rough fibreglass finish when you open the bonnet.

Craig.

[bogster]

If you would like to line your tunnel you could use this product.

http://www.nimbusmotorsport.com/Prod...=624&CATID=269

[Cobra289]

Hi,
A gap of air would be the best insulation that you can have.

If you manage to get some very thing stainless steel and you rivet it with a gap of say 2 mm or more than you will be solve the problem.
But do not forget all the holes or edges, like the shifter hole, an internal leather boot will do the job.

When you have an under slung exhaust and you think that this is the origin of the heat, the solution is simple and very effective.
Wrap the exhaust after the headers (section under the car) with the heat wrap tape. You will be able to touch the pipe with your hands.

Regards,
Cobra289

[madjohnny]

Originally Posted by bogster

If you would like to line your tunnel you could use this product.

http://www.nimbusmotorsport.com/Prod...=624&CATID=269

Col, have you used this stuff yourself, if so what is the quality of the self adhesive backing like? Good enough to stay put or do you need to bond it on with something better from the off.

I have looked at this stuff in the past and would like to use it on the inner wings and brake servo area but not if it is going to peel off and fall on the headers!

Sorry for the hijack Bob!

[lomondbob]

Thanks Guys. It's good, as ever, to hear what others do. I think I'll proceed without using any kind of heat barrier just now. I'll see how things go and if the heat build up is excessive then will reconsider. I've designed my tunnel so it can be removed easily by unfastening about 15 M5 bolts positioned along the lower flanges and perimeter of the engine bay. So, if I go down the heat proofing route there will only be the carpet/felt to worry about. On this point see next thread! Thanks again.


Bob