Engine bay temps vs Radiator cooling.

[Bigsyke]

I've constructed a blockoff system for my radiator which I have been testing. I have a mishimoto radiator, no ac or fan shroud. We know the S14 has two large openings on the sides of the radiator which air can pass through into the engine bay. I sealed these two gaps off, which forces all air to go through the radiator. However now it seems the engine bay isnt getting cooler air, and performance drops like a rock after a long hard drive (OEM Airbox)

I would be interested in the effects of these block off plates in oil temps, alternator cooling, dizzy, detonation, etc. I have maximized my radiators efficiency by directing all flow through it, instead of around it but why is my performance so horrid after the heat soak? Is cooler air across the engine, and components more critical than a chilled radiator?

[Om1kron]

well if ambient temps rise in the engine bay the ambient temp sensor tells the car hey it's hot as fuck in here, and is probably retarding your timing or what not to avoid detonation from rising temps.

My engine bay also gets hot as fuck by the turbo, like UNUSUALLY HOT but my radiator temps are 70-80c driving.

So I dunno, I imagine once I get a vented hood things will be different.

[jspeedm]

It's quite simple really. If you don't have air (even turbulent air) moving through the engine bay, the hot air will not be pushed out. It will just sit there and continue to get hotter. I would recomend making a shroud in front of your radiator and letting the rest of the air go through those openings you blocked off.

[shanes14]

or u could try trmoving the weather seal at the cowl panel to let the air thru ur rad out aswell as with the hot still air

[Bigsyke]

I thought the ambient temp sensor didnt directly control engine operation, and was in front of the radiator not behind it.

Tons of airflow moves through the radiator and pushed out below the car, but its hot air. By keeping it stock, its cooler air, that goes around the radiator.

[Om1kron]

there is another one on a stock ka harness that sits right above the water reservoir at least in an s14.

[Bigsyke]

I didnt find it, I have an OBD1 S14 however.