Cooling Options

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02-25-2007, 11:52 PM
MadMonkey

Cooling Options

Okay, now that it's getting close to summertime, I'm remembering how hot my car gets every now and then. What are some of the ways you guys would suggest to cool the interior and engine bay down? Here's what I'm thinking:

1. At least the drivers side headlight intake lid

2. Turn signal intakes

3. Cool Breeze scoop for the interior

Are there any more obvious answers I'm missing? Last year it got so hot my right foot felt like it was literally burning.

I'll probably have to remove the teeth for the summer too, they block a good bit of air flow. I'm trying to decide whether to get my AC fixed too, or rip it out...

Tips please!!
02-26-2007, 07:35 AM
sammm

Fix the A/C and check your shifter boots.
02-26-2007, 07:51 AM
HudsonHawk

I Agree, replace the shift boots if they are torn. Easy to do and gets rid of all the excess heat in the passenger compartment.
02-26-2007, 08:24 AM
black roadster

Intake lids or TSI's will not affect the floorboard temps, only engine bay temps.

As everyone suggested, the two rubber shift boots need to be checked. Just remove the center console. Remove the top rubber boot to look at the smaller boot as well.

Another suggestion is to adjust you heater box cable. Instructions here work for NA and NB.

Beyond that, it's possible the felt that seals the heater box has deteriorated. I know mine has and I need to replace it one of these days. You might look into that when you pull your dash.

Finally, some Reflectix laid down under your carpet would add more thermal insulation. Especially around the transmission hump.
02-26-2007, 08:52 AM
POS Racing

You may want to get the radiator professionally flushed to ensure your getting 100% capacity out of it, and of course a new thermostat and antifreeze wouldn't hurt.

No way I'd pull the A/C especially on an everyday driver. YMMV
02-26-2007, 10:11 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

3. Cool Breeze scoop for the interior

Pics of this?
02-26-2007, 10:14 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Pics of this?

Google is your Friend! ;)
02-26-2007, 10:16 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Google is your Friend! ;)

And so are you... thanks friend!! ::Banana::

Much easier than Googling! ;)
02-26-2007, 11:00 AM
MiataMike

I don't see how that is going to keep your feet cooler; but then again I've never been in a car with one on it to see for myself.
02-26-2007, 11:23 AM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Google is your Friend! ;)

A car powered blow-dryer. Sweet! :cat:
02-26-2007, 11:35 AM
black roadster

All the ^ folks on the ::Batman:: were raving about it. Supposedly it works as advertised. Might not be a bad idea here in Texas.

Anyone interested in a Group Buy?
02-26-2007, 11:56 AM
Darron65

Quote:

Originally Posted by black roadster

Anyone interested in a Group Buy?

I am willing to borrow yours before I decide to spend $40 on it. :D
02-26-2007, 11:58 AM
MiataMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darron65

I am willing to borrow yours before I decide to spend $40 on it. :D

Sweet!! Sign me up for that plan too!
02-26-2007, 12:02 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darron65

I am willing to borrow yours before I decide to spend $40 on it. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiataMike

Sweet!! Sign me up for that plan too!

Me 2! ::Banana::
02-26-2007, 12:45 PM
Treibenschnell

I'd rather just borrow br's! :D
02-26-2007, 12:46 PM
Radio-Active

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darron65

I am willing to borrow yours before I decide to spend $40 on it. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiataMike

Sweet!! Sign me up for that plan too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Me 2! ::Banana::

Yeah, what they said!:cat:
02-26-2007, 01:24 PM
Ted the Red

Quote:

Originally Posted by black roadster

All the ^ folks on the ::Batman:: were raving about it. Supposedly it works as advertised. Might not be a bad idea here in Texas.

Anyone interested in a Group Buy?

As I am not sure if the AC works in the 90, and this would probably be cheaper than fixin it.... I would be interested. Just let me know when you have more info.
02-26-2007, 02:59 PM
MadMonkey

I'd be interested in a group buy, definitely... I think I just need to replace my AC compressor (I have another one I never installed, I thought I was going to pull it). I'll install TSI's and the headlight scoop to help offset the extra engine temperature that comes up when I use the AC in really hot weather. Teeth will come out, and I'll get the radiator flushed.

I heard something about some kind of Water Wetter too that is supposed to be really good...
02-26-2007, 03:09 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

and I'll get the radiator flushed.

If you had overheating issues last year I'd bet your radiator has some crud in it, you can get it rodded out pretty cheap to get it working back at it's best! Or just replace it with a fresh radiator since they are relatively cheap for a Miata.

All the extra bling isn't going to do much if you have a blocked radiator. ;)
02-26-2007, 03:19 PM
johnwag

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

Okay, now that it's getting close to summertime, I'm remembering how hot my car gets every now and then. What are some of the ways you guys would suggest to cool the interior and engine bay down?
Tips please!!

1. Flush radiator.
2. Change water to coolant ratio. 70/30 water/coolant(More water for spring and summer)
3. 160* thermostat
4. radiator fan jumper wire (so that both fans will run in unison)
5. Remove your "teeth"
02-26-2007, 03:20 PM
Titus

I have read this thread a few times and I am still not sure if the issue is MM running hot, MM's car running hot, or both. :confused:
02-26-2007, 03:27 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

I have read this thread a few times and I am still not sure if the issue is MM running hot, MM's car running hot, or both. :confused:

I figured it was a bit of both. Looks like not a lot of maintenance on his car before he got it, now that he has it it is improving. ;)
02-26-2007, 03:32 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

now that he has it it is improving. ;)

An increased lack of maintenance? :D
02-26-2007, 04:07 PM
Majik

I was looking at those cool air scoops too. I thought about pulling the trigger. Looks like a good idea.
02-26-2007, 04:15 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

An increased lack of maintenance? :D

Nah, he has successfully sucker a few of us to help him a time or two get his Miata up to snuff! ::Banana::
02-26-2007, 06:36 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Nah, he has successfully sucker a few of us to help him a time or two get his Miata up to snuff! ::Banana::

FYI, I just ordered new springs and tires ;)

I wuv you guys ::Banana::

EDIT: Ordered Tein springs the day before I found out that there's a bunch of counterfeit ones on Ebay:gaah:
02-26-2007, 06:42 PM
cone-cerned

Quote:

Originally Posted by black roadster

Anyone interested in a Group Buy?

Me. Me. Me.
02-26-2007, 09:22 PM
randy7601

Quote:

Originally Posted by black roadster

Anyone interested in a Group Buy?

I could probably join the fun! ::Hyper::
02-27-2007, 08:44 AM
trackdog

To add to the improved cooling, the belly pan holds a lot of heat in. We modify the belly pan on all FI and track cars by removing the side panels. This allows more air flow to take the heat away from the header and causes a vacuum to pull the heat out as your speed increases. Even at the high powers we are running on the track the highest temperature I have seen has been about 220F. You will also notice cooler temperatures around the tunnel do to the better air flow.

On the '99-05 Miatas cut the side about 1" after the radius from the bottom, this will open the complete side area. You will see a little more engine bay dirt, but this is a trade off for better air flow. Use tin snips to cut the soft plastic.

On the '90-97 Miata you want to cut the sides off after the radiator, this will keep your sides in use in the front to direct air. With the belly pan attached, mark from the inside (usually it is dirty enough you can use a finger to mark) where the end of the radiator is. Remove the belly pan and cut down this line and across the bottom about 1" after the radius.

If you have a '90-97 with the top section above the radiator open or want to improve the looks, see our TDR Cowling on our website.

Gary
02-27-2007, 04:29 PM
MadMonkey

That cowling sounds good..

I just finished a little "dental work" and the teeth are gone for the summer. Sucks because I get so many comments one them, but oh well. Over the next few paychecks I guess I'll be getting the TSI's and headlight lids, and getting the radiator flushed.
02-27-2007, 08:07 PM
icepenguin66

Yep, I vote for a radiator flush or a trip to Vatozone; they have lifetime warrenty radiators for around $130 I think. You shouldn't see a change in temp by turning on the ac unless the radiator is blocked or those teeth were blocking too much air flow. With a new radiator and thermostat, my cars temp gauge never moves once fully warmed up. Wiring the ac fan in parallel is also an easy good mod.
03-29-2007, 07:46 PM
doc

I could not believe how much heat those shifter boots let through, as everyone else has said check those first. Also check the turret for the shifter and make sure it has oil in it while you have the boots off
When you do replace the boots rub them down good with baby powder it helps keep the rubber soft
I think the floor board of my car is 40 degrees cooler after replacing the boots