Home built heating system

So my Spirit has no heat since it was a drag car. I have the old heater core but I think I can make one smaller, lighter and better than what AMC made in 1980.

Basically I'm thinking a small 8x8x2 heater core off ebay with a small blower motor off ebay encased in some fabbed up .040 alum. Electrical should be as easy as a switch relay since I only need on and off. Hoses to the core from the water pump and intake man ( small block). Air moved to desired areas like defrost and feet with some ducting.

Has any one done this? Am I missing anything?

After driving around it is just too damn cold. I think I can get it all done for $100. Thats much cheaper then some of the set ups I've seen for hot rods and stuff.

1st gen Rx7 heater cores are in a self contained heater box with fan and cables running out of the removable unit, might be an easy and cheap option, just hook up cables and direct heat where you want it.

old jeeps had heater box under the seat small 8x8x8 cube.

44Dwarf wrote: old jeeps had heater box under the seat small 8x8x8 cube.

What old jeeps, specifically? I've got a similar problem with the MG Midget that can't be solved with a stock heater core due to space limitations from the engine swap.

Not sure but i see them at swap meets all the time.

I picked up a heater for my dad's 1950 pickup, simple box like you describe for about $100 check out LMC truck

HF has a cheap 12v heater...

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-rubberized-heater-with-fan-96144.html

easy

I have one of those HF heaters. It simply isn't strong enough to heat a whole car. Will defrost a window quick though.

need an AMX center console withe the factory gauges?

Tempting but no, I already have gauges.

ThePhranc wrote: I have one of those HF heaters. It simply isn't strong enough to heat a whole car. Will defrost a window quick though.

How about.... TWO of them?

The greenie in me would rather find a way to use waste heat produced by the engine than put a megawatt load on the alternator and burn more dead dinosaurs.

1988RedT2 wrote: The greenie in me would rather find a way to use waste heat produced by the engine than put a megawatt load on the alternator and burn more dead dinosaurs.

Stop reading the GRM message board immediately and seek help removing the greenie in you.

1988RedT2 wrote: The greenie in me would rather find a way to use waste heat produced by the engine than put a megawatt load on the alternator and burn more dead dinosaurs.

Solution: Mount turbo in passenger seat area.

You harness exhaust gases, make more power, and receive radiant heat inside the cabin. Win win situation!

In reply to ThePhranc:

I can hook you up with a heater that actually works. PM me if you are interested.

Universal coolant type heater, not cheap:

http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info.php/products_id/40993

For a home brewed setup I'd go digging around the boneyard for a blower, a lot of Japanese cars of the 80's and 90's had blowers which were in a snail shaped plenum that just bolted to the underside of the dash, FC RX7's are a good example. Then it's just a matter of finding a heater core of suitable size, I'd look at maybe a Suzuki Sidekick etc, then bend sheet aluminum for ducting = profit.

A factory one? I have a factory heater and its too big and heavy for my tastes.

Curmudgeon wrote: Universal coolant type heater, not cheap: http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info.php/products_id/40993 For a home brewed setup I'd go digging around the boneyard for a blower, a lot of Japanese cars of the 80's and 90's had blowers which were in a snail shaped plenum that just bolted to the underside of the dash, FC RX7's are a good example. Then it's just a matter of finding a heater core of suitable size, I'd look at maybe a Suzuki Sidekick etc, then bend sheet aluminum for ducting = profit.

The heater cores I was looking at on ebay were for those small Japanese 4x4s.

The universal ones are crazy expensive.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: The greenie in me would rather find a way to use waste heat produced by the engine than put a megawatt load on the alternator and burn more dead dinosaurs.

Solution: Mount turbo in passenger seat area. You harness exhaust gases, make more power, and receive radiant heat inside the cabin. Win win situation!

I have about a foot between the engine and radiator core support. Very tempted to mount a turbo or two up there and feed a high reving small block.

If you want a really small compact heater core, look at late 70s Civics (77 & 78 were the ones I had).

For complete heaters, the Flex-a-lite Mohave heater is very compact. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLX-640/

Summit also has one but it is a bit bigger. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-991102-1/

My dad's old '32 Plymouth hotrod had a universal heater mounted on the right side of the firewall inside the car. It was a gray 'japanned' metal box with a flip up door that I swear looked like a mailbox slot and it had a small blower on the side. If you wanted heat, you flipped the door up and turned on the switch. No heat? Flip the door down.

Come to think of it, is there any reason a few of those large computer fans wouldn't work? Maybe 3 or 4 of the 80mm versions?

I don't see why a few computer fans couldn't work. Maybe not enough CFM to push enough air 4 feet.

I was also thinking for form factor would an oil or tranny cooler not do the same as a heater core? They are all basically radiators.

I don't see any reason an oil or transmission cooler wouldn't work. Some of those Hayden universals are pretty cheap, too.

...just wait for summer

My other cars are a 2010 Sentra with a CVT and a 2010 GMC 4x4 work trucj loaded down with tools and ladders.

I need a fun car to stay sane. Can't wait for summer.