Car Heaters - Pros & Cons?

Paul L · #1 25th July 2012, 21:49

A quick question...

Do you actually need a heater in a Sammio?

I thought the main benefit would be removing excess heat from the engine bay of required.
E.g. Stuck in traffic with no air flow ( a common experience in London

).
Although Mister Towed's approach of using a modern Honda radiator may alleviate this.

Obviously it would also be handy to keep your feet warm on a cold, but dry, day.

However, if I try to stick to KISS principles, do I really need to fit one at all?
I'd certainly be left with a cleaner dash and less fabrication work if I didn't fit one.

Your thoughts and wisdom would be welcome, cheers, Paul.

Mister Towed · #2 25th July 2012, 22:18

I've fitted a modern, micro heater so I can drive mine up to the dry but cold Arctic Circle some day. Can't actually get it to work yet, but I'm sure I will. One day...

davecymru · #3 26th July 2012, 07:53

I've been driving my Spyder around without a heater since it passed it's MOT in January.

If it's raining i put on a Gortex & goggles.
If it's really cold i put on the flying jacket my mother-in-law bought me for Christmas

What i found is that the cabin area gets quite toasty from all the engine/exhaust/gearbox heat and as long as you're in that 'bubble' of warm air then you're quite comfortable. I took it out in near freezing conditions in Jan on top of the Mendips (it was just finished and i was all excited!) and as long as i was moving i was bizarrely comfortable apart from my face which was nearly numb

That said, i am thinking of fitting a fan of some sort as in this hot weather it does very toasty even when driving in shorts/t-shirt!

Mister Towed · #4 26th July 2012, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecymru

That said, i am thinking of fitting a fan of some sort as in this hot weather it does very toasty even when driving in shorts/t-shirt!

Most of the heat in the cockpit probably comes from the exhaust. Thermal wrap should reduce that considerably. You can always unwrap the exhaust for winter and re wrap it in spring - a little difficult to do when the sun comes out while you're on the move but it would give you a car for all seasons.

As a foot note, if I can't get my heater to work soon then the obvious route is to take legal action against pottymouth Gary J. I've studied the Sammio website and there's no mention of the possibility that I might be too incompetent to finish my car to an acceptable standard, which is surely a breach of the distance selling regulations or the fraud act or something. Hmm? Hmm?

garyh · #5 26th July 2012, 08:08

Harsh but true...

Paul L · #6 27th July 2012, 17:13

Dave - Thanks for sharing your experience of life without a heater.
I think I will follow your brave example and remove the heater from my Cordite plans.
Which gives me one more thing to sell on Ebay & an even thinner wiring loom.

But the real bonus will be one less time consuming job in my Cordite project plan.
Not that I actually have a proper project plan yet, but you know what I mean.

Mr T - I saw how you wrapped your exhaust in your build thread.
What I hadn't picked up on was that heat doesn't "set" it in place after fitting.
I guess I was mixing it up with the properties of exhaust repair putty!

So I might steal this idea for my build too, just need to confirm my exhaust length.
As I've got a feeling it will need to be shortened to match the Cordite body.

Cheers chaps, Paul.

Mister Towed · #7 27th July 2012, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul L

Dave - Thanks for sharing your experience of life without a heater.
I think I will follow your brave example and remove the heater from my Cordite plans.
Which gives me one more thing to sell on Ebay & an even thinner wiring loom.

But the real bonus will be one less time consuming job in my Cordite project plan.
Not that I actually have a proper project plan yet, but you know what I mean.

Mr T - I saw how you wrapped your exhaust in your build thread.
What I hadn't picked up on was that heat doesn't "set" it in place after fitting.
I guess I was mixing it up with the properties of exhaust repair putty!

So I might steal this idea for my build too, just need to confirm my exhaust length.
As I've got a feeling it will need to be shortened to match the Cordite body.

Cheers chaps, Paul.

Mine took fifteen metres of 2" wrap to cover the exhaust from the downpipe to the front of the back box and I'd shortened the mid pipe by about six inches. I've secured it with jubilee clips so it can be removed pretty quickly if necessary.

donnysoutherner · #8 27th July 2012, 22:37

I've simply connected the pipe ends for the heater tofether for now. That way a heater can be added later if I feel the need.

WorldClassAccident · #9 28th July 2012, 06:42

I have done the same as Donnysoutherner.

In my TVR 350 the heater controls are not there so I can't tell if the fan is meant to blow hot or cold but seems to settle on slightly warmer than air temp.The main heat source though is the transmission tunnel and the footwell.

I will see what it is like in the G46 but to be honest I am more concerned about keeping the engine cool rather than the driver warm so am thinking of using the wiring on the new loom that is meant for the heater fan to operate one in the engine bay that normally blows out the side vents but can be diverted to act as a cabin warmer and screen demister.

Paul L · #10 28th July 2012, 15:08

Thanks guys, I've just finished reconnecting the hose as suggested.

Cheers, Paul.

davecymru · #11 29th July 2012, 14:13

Just beware of air locks. Myself, Pat and a few others simply cut that pipe and fitted a header tank there (me n Pat used Renault Megan ones. Great minds and all that.) As that will also assist if/when you drop the radiator. E.g.

Paul L · #12 29th July 2012, 16:27

Dave - Thanks for the photo which really helps me see what you mean.

I'm still not sure if the Cordite needs the Spitfire radiator lowered.
( I don't think any of the current builds have got that far yet )

But if I'm reading your photo correctly, you still keep the original expansion tank.

So you effectively top up the radiator water levels in two places?

All help and advice gratefully received, cheers, Paul.

Psycho pops · #13 29th July 2012, 19:55

Paul
With a lowered rad the water top up sits below the water ways in the engine so bleeding the system of air would be pretty hard, an added expansion tank higher up lets you fill the system and the air out.
Hope that makes sense.. The Herald never had an expansion tank but i believe the Vitesse did.
Pops