Has anyone put a heater into their Spyder?

[Endopotential]

I know, seems silly to need a heater in California, but it does get darn cold here driving down Hwy 1 by the coast in SF.

Any tips, pictures? It seems like the dash and bulkhead of the Spyder is a bit different from the standard Coupe?

Hope you're all enjoying your Spyders out there!

Cheers,
David

[AC Bill]

I'm not exactly sure what the Spyder looks like in those areas, but I know there have been some pretty innovative ideas for installing heaters in FFR's. I think one builder actually installed one in his trunk, and piped the heat through the rear bulkhead and under the seats..

Seat heaters may be the easiest route to go, for the odd time you may need a little extra warmth. You can also get electric vests from a motorcycle shop, that plug in to a 12volt power outlet. They can be pretty cozy.

Personally, I would add a rheostat to either set up, so temps can be controlled, otherwise its full on, or full off.

[jwoody]

There is very little need for a heater in the Spyder. The engine/header location and the aluminum bulkhead provide more heat that most would need.

jwoody

John Woody

[stengun]

Howdy,

I have a Vintage Air heater and I've been trying to decide to add it or not.

I feel if I add the heater I can use the Spyder in cooler weather so I'm going to add the heater.

I'm in Cancun right now so I'm cannot work on my Spyder until Saturday.

Paul

[Endopotential]

John - interesting comment on heat from the footwells. Mine were covered with about 1/4 inch of silver insulating foam, and I can't say my footwells are toasty at all.

Do the rest of you Spyder owners have warm toes without that insulation?

Paul - I feel totally sorry for you, having to tough it out in Cancun
Please keep me posted on what you end up doing with your heater, and how you install it etc.
I see FFR sells a heater unit that runs off the water pump. Is that more powerful than one that's just electrically powered?

[Black Wishbone]

My is more than warm enough with out needing a heater. No installation.

[stengun]

Howdy Everybody,

I posted this on my build thread.....

I've been working on my heater and boy is it hard to do when it's 110' outside!

I have a Vintage Air unit that consist of a small heater core and a two-speed blower motor in a single unit.

Here's a few pics....







I took the unit apart and modified the heater core housing so the blower inlet side was flush and I could mount it against the firewall panel above the passenger side footbox.

Then I cut a hole in the panel that was the same size as the blower opening.

Next I marked and drilled bolt holes through the panel so I could reassemble the unit with the heater core on the inside of the panel and the blower on the engine compartment side.

I used 10-32 button head screws to reassemble the unit.

Next I will build a plenum on the outlet side of the heater core to direct the heated air to the driver's and passenger's footboxes via flexible hose. I will use a spring loaded door to close off the airflow to either or both footboxes.

Plus the blower can be used to bring cool, fresh air into the footboxes during warm weather.

Also included in pics is my fuse/relay box. It's from a 2000 Crown Vic and has 18 circuits and 4 relays for the fuel injectors, ECU, fuel pump and ?

Paul

[RichardS]

Ken Reid put a similar setup into the little red car I have now. Blows air into the footboxes. Also heater pads in the seat backs and seat bottoms.

Let me know if you need pics.

[jwoody]

All,

I do have a Vintage Air Conditioner. It works well.

I have a layer of Koolmat attached to the inside aluminum cockpit walls and floor. it helps a bunch.

I am getting the Spyder ready for two upcoming car shows.

John W

John Woody

[stengun]

Howdy John,

Originally Posted by jwoody

All,

I do have a Vintage Air Conditioner. It works well.

I have a layer of Koolmat attached to the inside aluminum cockpit walls and floor. it helps a bunch.

I am getting the Spyder ready for two upcoming car shows.

John W

John Woody

Post some pics of your Spyder!

What paint code did you use?

Oh, thanks for the build CD that you sent!

Paul

[Endopotential]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for posting the pics and details. Please post pics of that plenum and air ducting when you get around to it. Now you've got me intrigued... Though wondering if getting some heaters in the seats would be easier. Which do you think would be more efficient in keeping someone toasty?

[jwoody]

I used Ford F150 red paint. The paint code is straight from the 2003 Ford paint code.

I did have a professional painter do the work.

John W.