View Full Version : S13 "racecar" windshield defroster?
SLiguykyle
12-03-2012, 03:48 PM
hi, so my S13 has no heatercore/blowermotor at all (had to take them all out for several reasons) and i don't really feel like putting another in there. I come here to ask if anyone has any alternative methods for defrosting a front windshield? (using a t-shirt works fine enough but still sucks lol) ideally i would love something like the rear window but without the wires running across the glass... but i don't think that's possible. what do track-car people use when the traditional method is not an option? is there any universal aftermarket methods? I would definitely prefer an electrical method of doing this if it's possible. thanks!
Wookie384
12-03-2012, 06:31 PM
Just put the OEM heater back in or don't drive in the cold weather.
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Matej
12-03-2012, 06:37 PM
Do you mean de-fog?
Open the sunroof. :)
SLiguykyle
12-04-2012, 09:02 AM
yes defog, and i don't have a sunroof. i've been cracking my windows a bit kuz it seems to help a little but it doesn't help enough :( is there really no alternative to the oem?
smoked240
12-04-2012, 09:34 AM
Try shaving cream I believe it is. You just cover the window in it and wipe it. Not 100% sure if this works though, just a rumor I've heard. Worth a shot tho.
SLiguykyle
12-04-2012, 10:35 AM
i was intrigued by your shaving cream method so i did some research on that. and what i found seemed to be that something called carnauba (or something like that) wax is supposed to work well? i may look into some sort of application like that though. shaving cream might be smart to try since i don't really shave and have 2 bottles sitting in my bathroom LOL. free? yes please. but if you have any other ideas, please let me know. does anyone make a hydrophobic-treated windshield for these cars? that would be pretty awesome. and permanent.
4x4le
12-04-2012, 10:47 AM
There are 12v heaters that are intended for cars that dont make good heat quick enough or just enough in general (older diesels). I dont see why one cannot be mounted in your dash facing up and be switched on. They are not very expensive at all.
Purestock240
12-04-2012, 10:53 AM
i'm pretty sure there is a spray you can use. probably sold at advance or pepboys ( sold at canadian tire here) and usually sitting near the rain X
SLiguykyle
12-04-2012, 11:03 AM
will definitely look into the 12v heater things. that sounds like my favorite idea so far, as long as it's not super bulky, and i hope they don't need a cig lighter (cut the wires and put it on battery maybe?) since i don't have one. thanks for all these heads up guys hopefully i can find a solution soon
zspeedrft
12-04-2012, 11:37 AM
Fog be gone.....makers of rain x..
jackasspyro2
12-07-2012, 09:54 AM
Rainx stuff sucks.so does app the other anti fog stuff sold at auto stores.my best exp has been with shaving cream and keeping the windows down all the time.
I daily gutted awsumness so this is first hand exp.
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flatout
12-07-2012, 10:22 AM
Theres a guy on here that was talking about using the 12v heaters in his s15 that he tracks. Probably the same think I will be looking into when the time comes...just wire them to a switch
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Chuki_KA24e
12-07-2012, 05:15 PM
Those 12v defrosters are fucking useless. I tried two different models some time ago on an old Mazda 323 I had with no heater core. I would go through a whole gallon of winter washer fluid on the way to work in the morning while also scraping the inside of my windshield at the same time. Needless to say I took a bit of time and put in a new core.
Wookie384
12-07-2012, 09:11 PM
I don't get why you guys are trying to eliminate the heater core? It barely weighs anything at all, I'd much rather deal with the extra few pounds (if that) than freeze my ass off and get sick, or not be able to see through the window and crash and potentially hurt/kill myself.
The heater core weighs what, like a few pounds? Then you want to throw in a 12V heater? That heater probably weighs the same if not more.
Before you start arguing with me that it's a race car, and real race cars don't have heater, Take a look at this picture, specifically in the red circle:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/bb384/HEATERAudiR18.jpg
That's the interior of the Audi R18 etron which won Le Mans. If having a heater in the car is good enough for Le Mans and Audi's racing program it's good enough for me.
ShadowMan
12-08-2012, 03:39 AM
Not to mention the heater is a great secondary "radiator" for those hot track days. I know I've seen a few touge/time attack videos of turbo'd cars vs. na cars with cameras in the cockpit where the driver of the turbo'd car used his heater to keep his temps agreeable throughout the race. Obviously you already removed your heater core since you're here asking for an easy fix, but I think this may be one of those things that after awhile of trial and error with all these quick fixes that are temporary, you will probably just end up putting a heater core back in it out of frustration. Hell, just keep a bottle of rubbing alcohol or methenol in a spray bottle and a rag that you can squirt on the inside of the winshield, iirc, winshield wiper fluid has methenol in it, which helps with that quick defrost. But I've had a few jack and cokes at this point and I'm just regurgitating snippets from other threads that I vaguely perused through. It doesn't seem that there is a painless tried and true tested replacement for a heater core. I apologize for shitting up this thread with my 2:40 am drunken ramblings. That is all.
tauntdevil
12-11-2012, 08:57 PM
http://www.meijer.com/s/koolatron-12v-auto-heater/_/R-211604;jsessionid=6CCCEB077886D9A5A94758CA805F9D22 .instance01?cagpspn=pla&cmpid=Google-G_US_Meijer_eCom_PLA_Home_Improvement&kpid=401-060
12v heater thing... I dont have windows so this normally doesnt bother me much, if there is any frost from just sitting, I have a mini squidgy in the car for the inside of the windshield.
codyace
12-13-2012, 04:43 PM
Those 12v defrosters are fucking useless. I tried two different models some time ago on an old Mazda 323 I had with no heater core. I would go through a whole gallon of winter washer fluid on the way to work in the morning while also scraping the inside of my windshield at the same time. Needless to say I took a bit of time and put in a new core.
Totally agree. Used to have one in an old Beetle. It was awful
SLiguykyle
01-09-2013, 01:09 PM
ok so i tried the rain x type stuff with mild success. not good enough though. posted on in the WTB for an OEM heatercore. to answer the reasoning behind removing it, well.... it was uhhhhh... infested with cockroaches and eggs. they're gone now but so is my entire interior and many components that had to be discarded. (not that i thought it would matter since it's mostly a track car but still. cold weather and no defroster sucks) i'm not even gonna play with that 12v heater stuff. no cigarette lighter outlets, and plus.. thats for gunsafes... hahahaha. i totally agree with having the oem defroster, was just looking for an alternative to see if there were any to avoid having to put it back in (PITA) :/ and also. the sqweegy thing doesn't really work. my windshield fogs up every 50yards when driving around here haha (i work nights)
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