Miata Mailing List: July 1998, Message #182

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Peter said:


> Since I think I understnat that more air (especially cold air) helps the
> engine produce more HP, could one not re-route some of the A/C airlines
> to dump out at the air-intake box???

Several problems with this.

First is that cool air is better, but I've heard that you get only a 1HP
increase in power for a 10 degree decrease in temperature.  The actual
increase is further limited by the ability of your car to detect the cooler,
denser air and provide more fuel in the proper proportion to take advantage
of it.

Second, an air conditioning system moves heat energy from inside the
passenger compartment to under the hood where the heat is hopefully
dissipated into the air.  It also generates a lot of new heat in the
process.  Think of an air conditioner as a heat pump, moving heat from one
place to another.

Third the compressor will probably  take at least 1 HP from the engine to
cool the intake air 10 degrees even if you did manage to rig it up properly.
Even if I'm off by 50% or more, any gains to be made are not worth the
complexity and expense.


Brian Dore'
Lafayette, LA
'90 Miata