Brunton Stalker Foot Heat

[nicholastanguma]

Hey, fellas, noob here considering a LS67 SuperStalker. I'm coming from motorcycles, and the visceral moto-on-four-wheels Brunton monster has really been getting me hot and bothered lately. I'm leaning toward the raw aluminum interior since it's more motorcycle-like than upholstery, but I'm wondering if Stalkers suffer from the same footwell heat for which Caterhams and Birkins are famous?

 

Thanks for your expertise, guys!

[Z3 Stalker]

I have the simple aluminum finish and have not seen high temperatures in the foot well, but then again I live in a cooler climate than most owners. Maybe a more southern owner can comment.

[snookwheel]

Heat is not an issue for us and we live in Florida. Up until a couple weeks ago, it was all raw aluminum finish. I just threw in some cheapo indoor/outdoor carpet on the floor for aesthetics. No difference that I could tell.

 

Scott

[slomove]

I suppose the open engine compartment side panels of the Stalker allow for the radiator and exhaust heat to better escape and not be forced down the tranny tunnel ?

[slngsht]

I don't have a stalker, but can add some data to this discussion... in its original configuration, my car had cast iron exhaust manifold, and the exhaust down pipe stayed inside the car as it went down, then exited near the bottom of the chassis. I had a fully covered foot well area, and in summer days, it would get so hot, my right foot would be in pain.

 

When I redid the engine location, I put long tube headers on, and the headers leave the head and directly exit the chassis at the hood line (with no hood). Even with no firewall at all (at first I drove it with nothing between my feet and engine compartment), it was quite comfortable. Now I have a hood on, and while it's definitely warm, it's nothing like the original configuration, even though I had heat shields in the original config.

 

So... slomove's assessment is right on... the temp has a lot to do with how quickly the exhaust exits the engine compartment, and venting in that area.

[Asylum67]

I do not own a Stalker but have driven one and also several Caterhams and Birkins. I never noticed excessive heat from either car but I also have to wear racing shoes for my size 12's to work the pedals. I can however recommend a product called LizardSkin to coat the undercarriage and/or transmission tunnel. It is a coating that can be sprayed on or rolled on and forms a heat barrier and noise insulator.

 

We build kit cars and hot rods and have used this product in the past and have wonderful results. It is a little on the expensive side but it does work and is very easy to use. It made my race car feel more like it had all the factory insulation.

[nicholastanguma]

Anyone else with Brunton Stalker foot heat experience?

 

Anyways, thanks for the prompt replies, doods! Hearing the Stalker is foot-heat free is exactly what I wanted to hear. How often does that actually happen (when the President of the USA isn't talking, I mean. Okay, okay, put down your rocks, just a minor political joke. Relax.)?

 

So, are there other se7ens that don't cook yer footsies? How about the Flyin' Miata Westfield, and the SmartSportsCars MK Indy? I know they both use the Miata as a donor vehicle, which means the exhaust exits on the driver's side, but I don't recall ever reading anywhere on this forum of someone complaining about FM Westie or MK Indy footwell heat.

 

Asylum, thanks for the tip about LizardSkin. Even if my Stalker won't need the stuff, I'll probably have some other projects that will enjoy the benefits. Also, you say "we" build kit cars and hot rods? Well, who's "we?" Got a website linky I can check out?

[Asylum67]

Anyone else with Brunton Stalker foot heat experience?

 

Asylum, thanks for the tip about LizardSkin. Even if my Stalker won't need the stuff, I'll probably have some other projects that will enjoy the benefits. Also, you say "we" build kit cars and hot rods? Well, who's "we?" Got a website linky I can check out?

 

http://www.10Motorworks.com

 

I will have a dedicated Birkin or Westfield site soon as I am still working out the details with my business associates.:cooldude:

[Bster13]

Hello Asylum67, welcome to the forum.

 

The link you posted does not look to be working properly. Looks like the domain expired on 7/23. I look forward to checking it out! Thx.

[Jim Gunther]

I have a 3.4 Stalker (390 Holley 4 Barrel Carb) and floor heat has never been an issue.

 

I did add carpeting a couple years ago for aesthetic reasons (my tin work was rough:( ) but floor heat never an issue.

 

I THINK - the way the headers exit minimizes heat issues.

[Asylum67]

Hello Asylum67, welcome to the forum.

 

The link you posted does not look to be working properly. Looks like the domain expired on 7/23. I look forward to checking it out! Thx.

 

:willy_nilly::willy_nilly::willy_nilly:

 

Forgot to renew with GoDaddy over the weekend. It is up now just checked, clear your cookies. Thanks.

[Mondo]

My Ultralite only gets hot due to hot air as the driver's side plastic footwell cover has some openings around throttle cable, brake hoses... kind of nice in the winter. It's not due to radiating/conductive heat.

 

The main reason it'll be fine after I seal those is due to the exhaust being on the passenger side. Insulation covers both footwells front & tunnel. I don't notice heat radiating from the top of the footwells.

[jbanker]

Stalker owners do not have floor or passenger compartment issues with excessive heat. I finally realized why...

All Stalkers have "Sprint Car" style headers with very short residence time under the bonnet. If you look at most other Se7en type cars you will find lots of exhaust travel inside the engine bay before the 4 into 1 collectors down near the lower frame rails. I would venture to say that a typical 4 cylinder Se7en has more exhaust radiated heat under the bonnet vs the V6 of any Stalker. My headers come straight out of the exhaust manifold and pass directly under the top frame rails into the open atmosphere outside of the car. NO EXHAUST HEAT ISSUES AT ALL AND I DO HAVE ENGINE SIDE PANELS.

Jack

Edited July 27, 2010 by jbanker
Added "I do have engine side panels".

[Silk]

I autocrossed my S Stalker this past weekend in 100 degree heat. Footwells were not uncomfortably hot. Never been a problem for me.

Edited July 28, 2010 by Silk

[Kitcat]

I do not see how you can have an authentic se7en experience without excessive foot well heat. I didn't realize the Stalker was deficient in this critical area. I would suggest running the heater full blast while you develop some long term solution to this problem.

[scannon]

I do not see how you can have an authentic se7en experience without excessive foot well heat. I didn't realize the Stalker was deficient in this critical area. I would suggest running the heater full blast while you develop some long term solution to this problem.

I'd be happy to transfer some of the footwell heat from my Caterham to anyone's Stalker. With a cast iron exhaust manifold, turbo and two down pipes just in front of the driver's footwell, I have heat to spare even with extra layers of insulation under the carpet, on the outside of the footwell and an aluminum heat shield standing between the heat sources and the footwell.