Since its been pretty cool around here lately, only got high 50's the last 4 days or so. I got thinking, my engine would obvious benefit from this nice cool air. So I was thinking, what could I do for free that would help? Simple, I reset my ECU so it could relearn with the cold air instead of the hot it was used to. And second, I removed the little piece of plastic that covers the area between the radiator support and the front grill...shown here in this extra high quality picture I made ( you know you are jealous of my skill)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/b3passatBMX/SVTengine.jpg

Anyways. After doing this, there really seems to be quite a difference. Could just be me but I dont think so. It seems to pull alot harder and have better response. And even if I am just imagining everything, it cant hurt and is worth a shot if you have an extra 15 min. Although when the snow starts falling I plan to put the plastic shroud back on to avoid getting salt and other dirt in my engine so easily.

Why exactly do you believe this is a benefit?

Doesn't this keep the airflow thru the radiator to reduce engine temps?

Originally posted by HTPerformance
Why exactly do you believe this is a benefit?

Doesn't this keep the airflow thru the radiator to reduce engine temps?

Because that shroud blocks air from getting into the engine bay, and with it out, much more cool air will flow in.

You'll have to let me know if that ecu reset works because since it got cold my car is running horrible, just like last winter and I think I need to do the same.

Originally posted by mboren
You'll have to let me know if that ecu reset works because since it got cold my car is running horrible, just like last winter and I think I need to do the same.

Try it...why not? It costs nothing and will either be the same, or improved. Go un-plug your negative terminal on your battery for like 15 min and reconnect.

Why exactly do you believe this is a benefit?
Doesn't this keep the airflow thru the radiator to reduce engine temps?
^^^Exactly.
In addition, taking that panel off will allow more heat to enter the snorkel into the intake.
With it on, it helps to block some of the heat coming off the radiator.
I did this a long time ago, and put the piece back on, after I noticed the intake temps were higher.
Never did get a chance to check the coolant temp though with/without the panel,
since I don't have a coolant temp gauge other than the stock one.

Well, then I guess my little mod is completely useless...oh well whatever I tried

i toke it off like a month ago, but i did not notice any diff, except that my engine by gets dirty faster

Do the HRW mod.

In other words, cut out the portion directly blocking off the snorkel. You can do a search for HRW mod on here to get the idea...

It will allow more air to flow into your snorkel and DOES make a proven drop in intake temps.

Originally posted by Black&Tan
Do the HRW mod.

In other words, cut out the portion directly blocking off the snorkel. You can do a search for HRW mod on here to get the idea...

It will allow more air to flow into your snorkel and DOES make a proven drop in intake temps.

Already did that. Not the snorkel does to much anyways, I have a SR intake.

Heres an idea.... and I've seen it done before.

Take off the rubber strip that runs across the back of the engine bay, this will allow more of the engine heat to escape from the high pressure area that forms above the engine between the engine and the bottom of the hood..... thus cooling things off a few degrees.

Originally posted by 03OrangeSVT
Heres an idea.... and I've seen it done before.

Take off the rubber strip that runs across the back of the engine bay, this will allow more of the engine heat to escape from the high pressure area that forms above the engine between the engine and the bottom of the hood..... thus cooling things off a few degrees.

^^^True, BUT! Be preppared for the 'fog' when it gets cold. That hot air hitting cold glass just makes for a fog mess that only wipers and temp matching with the defroster can cure.

I did It in my Miata and it worked great (Supercharged - tried to get some hot air out) - only sucked in the winter.

I've had my shroud off for years now...

I have an after market tune and a CAI. This should help me with no ill effects right? Hot air coming off the radiator won't effect my CAI. As for resetting my ECU, could I just reload my tune?

When you "reset" the ECU you still have your custom tune in it, all it does is restart the ECU learning curve all overagain... basically it re-optimizes the tune for the current conditions.

That's what I thought. Thanks.