Added Insulation to AirBox
 

I have noticed that the airbox gets (not surprisingly) fairly hot, so spent some time insulating it and the short cold air intake. It now stays noticeably cooler to the touch.

In theory, it should improve initial throttle response after cruising at part throttle, since you don't get that initial shot of hot air. Likely has no effect on full throttle extended pull, since you are pulling in so much outside air, the box temp has no effect.

I also ducted cool air to the pipe from the IC outlet to the intake. All combined, I dropped the temp about 10 deg F to only about 6 deg over ambient under almost all conditions, so it really is an improvement.

Added a couple of washers at the 3 mounting studs to compensate for insulation thickness (foil+foam backing).

After I did this I had a P0234 "overboost code" for the first time ever, I hope that was just coincidental.

Not pretty I know. But also not the only "foil insulation" under the hood.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...atedAirBox.jpg

Pulled right from the space shuttle, I like it. :cool:

but you didn't wrap the pressurized pipes.......

Yeah, I debated that, but my theory was under full boost you probably don't want them insulated since you will likely be above the temperature of the engine compartment on the pre-intercooler side, so you would want them to "lose" heat. Right?

^ very true the hot side pipe will be much hotter than the engine bay.

I was thinking more on the eng side of the IC so it doesn't try to warm back up again..

Yes, that is likely a good idea. I ducted cold air to the general area of the IC outlet instead, and combined with the reductions in temp of the turbo inlet air, the monitored IC outlet (IAT2 on the Aeroforce readout) is running 5 to 8 deg over ambient (outside air temp) at cruise or full boost. Prior to my changes it was running 15 to 30 deg F over ambient at cruise and 5 to 8 deg over ambient at full boost (high airflow overcoming heat-soak is why boost IC out is actually lower temperature than cruise).

Thats quite a bit of change..what did you use? The key word is efficiency..allows the turbo to wrk the way it was intended....

please post bill of materials, seems like a great idea.

Im near BEGI and have listented to Corky Bell explain that insulation of the hot chage pipes is a bad idea as you say.

Excellent mod.