Why is my engine bay so hot?
08-09-2013, 05:49 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 91
Why is my engine bay so hot?
A little information about the car:
2012 MT Scion TC
Modifications
Injen Short Ram Intake, NST Lightweight Pulley, Dezod Green Header V2, and Meganracing Drift-spec Exhaust.
The car flies. It's not turbo, but honestly, people said I wouldn't feel much with bolt-ons; that's complete bull ____. It's not placebo at all. I used to have trouble keeping up with my friend's 2000 Celica GTS which has been highly modded; like he would have been at least a car ahead by 80, two cars by 90, and three by 100. Since day one I would get him off the line, though, for a few seconds. Now I'm keeping with it to well past 110. This is before my header install.
Anyways, enough gloat. The concern was, just a few days after I put on my header, I tried to open the hood after thirty minutes of cruising. Sometimes I would rev it up to 5000, a few times to 6000, but mostly 4000-4500.
Not constantly though, mostly keep it at 2500-3000. Anyways, I tried to show my friend the header after we stopped. I touched the latch and it was so hot that I couldn't touch it long enough to get the hood up.
Is this a common thing with scions? Why is it so hot under there?
I thought it might have been due to mods, because I don't recall it being this hot before, but I've never tried to open it after cruising for a while. I did have the AC on at one point right as I stopped.. just so my friend could hear it idle a little bit more, haha.
Should I be worried? I've been contemplating a performance radiator..Mishimoto?
2012 MT Scion TC
Modifications
Injen Short Ram Intake, NST Lightweight Pulley, Dezod Green Header V2, and Meganracing Drift-spec Exhaust.
The car flies. It's not turbo, but honestly, people said I wouldn't feel much with bolt-ons; that's complete bull ____. It's not placebo at all. I used to have trouble keeping up with my friend's 2000 Celica GTS which has been highly modded; like he would have been at least a car ahead by 80, two cars by 90, and three by 100. Since day one I would get him off the line, though, for a few seconds. Now I'm keeping with it to well past 110. This is before my header install.
Anyways, enough gloat. The concern was, just a few days after I put on my header, I tried to open the hood after thirty minutes of cruising. Sometimes I would rev it up to 5000, a few times to 6000, but mostly 4000-4500.
Not constantly though, mostly keep it at 2500-3000. Anyways, I tried to show my friend the header after we stopped. I touched the latch and it was so hot that I couldn't touch it long enough to get the hood up.
Is this a common thing with scions? Why is it so hot under there?
I thought it might have been due to mods, because I don't recall it being this hot before, but I've never tried to open it after cruising for a while. I did have the AC on at one point right as I stopped.. just so my friend could hear it idle a little bit more, haha.
Should I be worried? I've been contemplating a performance radiator..Mishimoto?
Educated, experienced replies, please!
Last edited by Vanity; 08-09-2013 at 06:36 AM.
08-09-2013, 11:58 AM
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 11,141
If you have an aftermarket header, you probably don't have the factory heat shield in place any longer, so there is more heat radiating through the engine compartment making it warmer under the hood.
No you don't need a performance radiator if you're naturally aspirated and not tracking the car.
No you don't need a performance radiator if you're naturally aspirated and not tracking the car.
08-09-2013, 07:01 PM
#5
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 11,141
yeah, but with the exhaust header being towards the front of the engine compartment, a set of fender vents would have minimal effect at venting underhood temperatures. Vented hood would be best.
08-10-2013, 03:30 AM
#7
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 130
1st off, get the header powder coated. Mine is and I don't have the problems you've mentioned, even after letting the car sit and heat soak in one place for 30 min on a hot day.
I also slit out some of the rear plastic to aid in venting heat out from the engine bay. Every little bit helps.
I also slit out some of the rear plastic to aid in venting heat out from the engine bay. Every little bit helps.
08-10-2013, 09:54 PM
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 11,141
1st off, get the header powder coated. Mine is and I don't have the problems you've mentioned, even after letting the car sit and heat soak in one place for 30 min on a hot day.
I also slit out some of the rear plastic to aid in venting heat out from the engine bay. Every little bit helps.
I also slit out some of the rear plastic to aid in venting heat out from the engine bay. Every little bit helps.
08-11-2013, 12:51 AM
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 130
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