Warmup time, over-cooling, and block heaters

[MaineShark]

Here's a thought, but with all the mods we do to increase cooling capacity, we also slow the warmup time.

Longer warmup means more wear&tear on the engine, as well as more time that you have to wait before you get optimal performance.

On the other hand, you need that cooling capacity, in the summer.

So here's a thought: what about some sort of heater?

I was originally thinking something like a traditional block heater, which would help to warm things up prior to leaving home, but that doesn't address what happens when you are elsewhere, and there is the hassle of dealing with an extension cord connected to your car all the time.

So, I'm curious about the idea of some sort of 12V heating coil, maybe installed in the oil pan, to help things warm up quicker, after the car is started. A thermostatic switch (say, 160*) could be used to kill it once the car is warm, and prevent it from coming back on. I'd think that heating the oil would be the best, to get it to operating viscosity quickly, reducing engine wear as soon as possible.

Does anyone know is this sort of thing has been done before? Any ideas how to do it?

Joe

 

[safety_match]

Warmup time is a bit of a misunderstanding. All that is really required is approximately 20 - 30 seconds at most under most conditions.
This allows for the oil to be picked up and coat the moving parts and then the car can be driven. Actual warming up will occur once mobile.
However...under severe temperature conditions, you will want to warm up a little longer to allow the cold-thickened oil to become more viscous.

Safety

 

[1979toy]

On aircraft we use a heater that glues to the side of the tank or case that we want to have heated prior to startup. They work great and there is no open hole to an oil sump to leak. The same can be used on the oil pan, just clean off the paint in the area that you are going to stick the heater and glue it in place.
If I can tear myself away from my Hydro-Boost installation later tonight I'll look up a web site where you can see one.

 

[MaineShark]

Thanks. How big are they? I'm also thinking of the possibility of adding a heater to my new intake, to replace the heat riser (see here), so if they are sized right, it might work for that, as well.

Good luck with the Hydro-Boost install. If you have any questions, shoot me an email, since I just finished mine. Actually, if you haven't already done so, take a look at my thread in the Tech Forum, since there are several "don't do this" things in there

Joe

 

[clar2001]

How about a block heater ,replaces a freeze plug ,tied into a power converter. can run independent that way any were.

 

[1979toy]

These are what I was refering to in the post above. Cheaper versions can be found if you search the web a bit. They do work great.

The Hydro-Boost is in and ready for a test drive. That won't happen until in the morning.