What is Heat Soak ?
A. Heat soak is the effect of residual temperatures moving from a hot source towards a cooler place. Heat soak occurs over time and temperatures measured at one physical location may not accurately reflect the overall temperature of the part. Experiment: Turn your car off when it is hot, taking note of the temperature gauge position. Wait 2 minutes and turn on the ignition. The temperature gauge reads higher now than when the engine was running. The heat accumulated in the metals of the motor has moved into the now disabled cooling system.
Heat soak is when the engine’s generation of internal heat exceeds the cooling system capacity to dissipate the heat being generated. The surrounding metal surfaces literally becomes “soaked” in heat which will rob the engine of its ability to generate full power since the air and coolant is literally being heated from the surrounding “heat soaked” metal parts. In regards to the Terminator, it isn’t just so much a matter of high coolant temps causing power loss, but rather the effect it has on the efficiency of the intercooler. It isn’t a problem unless you are racing and concerned about an above mentioned power loss after repeat runs. It is worse in hot climates/seasons. It really isn’t so much a ‘problem’ for the average driver, but more of an inconvenience. When heat soak occurs, it pulls timing based on post-intercooler air temps. That’s where some power loss will occur. A larger heat exchanger is a good mod, as is a larger coolant reservoir. Replacement intercoolers aren’t availab
