DIY Heaterbox

[5Toes]

Why not do both OP? ROute the trans tunnel heat and run lines from your heater box.

Just looking at the single pic, you're going to need insulation. Foam board would probably work best. Also, find some real fans, and figure out a way to put them on some real electric motors, RC car electric motors may do the trick?
Like this cheap low power one: http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store...x?feed=Froogle
It seems to draw 1A with no load. Your load will be small, so under 5amps I'd guess

You need a resistor in line, because 12v will make that sucker scream

[AwakenNoMore]

Quite a few haters in here. IIRC the stock heater is expensive as hell. Props for making your own solution. Also you can probably get flexible hose from McMaster-Carr to route the heat for use as defrosters or vents and what not. Would be similar to some race cars.

[jasonsnoddy]

i like seeing things like this. diy projects intrigue me.

[kishg]

that's one of several threads discussing how to keep defogging in race cars on the bf.c track section. jimmy has a somewhat better execution of your idea. keep in mind, these solutions are really mostly to provide defog, not really heat as you'd need in a street car on cold ne days like right now.

[george graves]

more pictures

[Dude]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=916770

found some good info for whatever route I choose

[Hick]

I'm liking where this is going. Have anymore examples?

Dont give up now!

[Dude]

stock setup or i'd use the fan lee showed to drive heat from the trans tunnel into the stock vents. take a look at this pic:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/imag...3/IMG_7480.JPG

Your way is too complex and thus likely to fail. Try it anyways.

I'm liking where this is going. Have anymore examples?

[KennyT]

Buy the shit for the OEM system. All you need for wiring is a switch to turn the fan on or off, the rest is all mechanical. For a race car you don't need AC, and you don't need variable fan speeds.

[kishg]

If you HAD to heat it what would you do?

stock setup or i'd use the fan lee showed to drive heat from the trans tunnel into the stock vents. take a look at this pic:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/imag...3/IMG_7480.JPG

Your way is too complex and thus likely to fail. Try it anyways.

[Dude]

how about cause its fucking ghetto as fuck.

Good reason, Its an e30 btw.

Just use one of these, it would be pretty ballin. I require more pics of your set up though, are those computer fans? I say let him do what he want's, it is his car. I do agree though that it is going to be harder the way you are doing it, but whatev.

that right there should tell you why this won't work.

those fans might put out 25cfm after they go through the heater core. maybe, but most likely not. the stock one is probably closer to 500cfm (or more) at full tilt.

Yeah right now the fans are my only real concern. The way its setup the fans dont push through the heater core, they are pulling the hot air from section with the heater core and then pushing it into the vents.

nope. i have no heater core or hvac controls. but i don't need to drive on the street. car isn't even registered.

If you HAD to heat it what would you do?

[AbsorbantNut]

this thread has inspired me

[kishg]

But you just left the stock unit in, my car came with NOTHING, no wiring no ducting no blower motor, no blower motor mount, no lines, no NOTHING.

nope. i have no heater core or hvac controls. but i don't need to drive on the street. car isn't even registered.

[10Toes]

I have similar fans that I tried. They have very low volume, and the pressure is laughable. Basically the air will barely touch the heater core and run away scared...

A proper fan would be the 12v marine blower. It has volume, and pushes with good pressure.

And for the same price you could just get a used stock heater setup.

[Massive Lee]

that right there should tell you why this won't work.

those fans might put out 25cfm after they go through the heater core. maybe, but most likely not. the stock one is probably closer to 500cfm (or more) at full tilt.

I have similar fans that I tried. They have very low volume, and the pressure is laughable. Basically the air will barely touch the heater core and run away scared...

A proper fan would be the 12v marine blower. It has volume, and pushes with good pressure.