Help needed with WAI

[collegekid01]

Hey guys, I'm in need of some help here. I have a WAI installed currently but there's not much of a difference in my mpg. I did see a best ever mileage on a long trip with this but in the short trips it's not heating up very fast at all. It could be the arctic temperatures here but I'm just not so sure. I was thinking there could be a couple problems:

1. the air is traveling a long distance and is cooling down before reaching the engine

2. the "cowl" over the exhaust manifold is not keeping the warm air in and the cold air out well enough

3. it's just in need of some insulation

I'm looking to get another best mpg ever because I have VERY LITTLE money at the moment but would love to go visit an old friend of mine over the long weekend. Getting great mileage would allow me to do this on the cheap. (keep that in mind to when giving suggestions CHEAP)

here some pics to help

[theholycow]

You should use two remote-sensor barbecue/cooking thermometers to read temperature in the pipe near each end. That will tell you if it's losing heat over its long travel or not.

[collegekid01]

yeah I guess it's the only sure fire way to know. where can I get em?

[theholycow]

Any store with a basic cooking or grilling department will have them. They'll probably be cheap at WalMart. You could get them even cheaper online.

[collegekid01]

awesome! sounds like I got some testing to do

[theholycow]

You'll be looking for something that looks vaguely like this:



The important part is the remote sensor probe, rather than being an integrated unit...

[kamesama980]

not to dissuade your efforts but not all engines will see huge gains from a WAI. some (like my truck) warm the air insanely with the stock intake. (door in the intake tube to get it to 105-120, then coolant-heated manifold)

[99metro]

I have pert-near the same WAI on my Metro. I'm getting a 35 degree increase in temperature. I think your radiator fan might be cooling off the air before it gets to the intake. Something to check anyway.

[collegekid01]

yeah that mechanical fan is constantly pumping cold air over the engine. I really want an electric one