Powder Coating Aluminum Parts - Heat Dissipation

[DonMaximo]

I was considering Chrome Powder coating on my lower/upper intake...until I concerned myself with heat dissipation.

I'm have a used intake manifold combination that, in the least, requires a bead/walnut blasting.

Will Powder coating create any type of insulating barrier that will inhibit the heat dissipation "significantly" ???

 

[samickguy15]

Yes it will act like an insulation. Will it really affect much? Probably not. Look at it this way...When you paint or powder coat, it's like rubbing mud or grease on your skin. Your skin can't breathe then, allow you to sweat, and therefore your bodies cooling system has lost its function.

I know, I know, it's aluminum, not skin. Same principle though. When you paint/powder coat, you make a smooth surface, not a rough one, therefore reducing surface area for cooling. When you try to keep something cool, you add more surface area, like fins.

My recomendation...do it and don't think about it. If anything, I would suggest a phenolic spacer so you don't transfer that much heat from lower to upper.

 

[DonMaximo]

Thanks for the well thought out response. This car will be driven on the street. Engine has already dyno'd at 430ft.lb 433HP and it's going into an LX convertible. It's Show-n-Go and no track...so this was the answer I was fishing for.

As for the phelonic spacer...I have one, but I'm concerned that my GT-40 upper/lower intake, with the spacer will run the hood.

Now accepting comments on the clearance issue.

 

[h8my408]

you could use the same method as used for checking valve clearance with pistons...

finger tighten the manifold on top of the spacer, and then put about an inch of clay in an area you think the hood will not clear, ie the front corners. then slowly lower the hood, and if you can get it all the way to close without resistance
if there's resistance, open it up and look at the clay.

if the clay is pressed all the way to the plenum, there's your lack of clearance.

maybe there's a better way to do this, but this way you know exactly how much room you have if it clears ie. 1.2" or .5"

good luck!

 

[samickguy15]

X2 for the clay method. From what I recall, the GT-40 intake does have clearance issues...Only one way to find out.

 

[MadDAWG]

I have used a ball of tin foil in the past. It's easier than clay to cover a large area if needed. Unless you have a custom hood you should be ok with a 3/8 or 1/2 spacer. I ran a GT40 with a 3/8 spacer on a SN95 with it's lower hood line with no problems. I did have a minor interferance witha 1" spacer in a Fox body. IIRC the vert mounts sit a little lower so that could gain you some room if needed.

 

[samickguy15]

I think you're correct on the vert mounts. Doesn't really make sense why they would be lower, but I've heard several times that they are.