Hot plenum/supercharger/manifold in a 383. The temp on the coolant is fine and both fans are kicking on. Usually runs around 190/200. The external components are all hot to the touch. My mechanic says if it's getting proper air flow through the plenum it should be warm but not hot. Are superchargers hot components? I would think with the air flow they would run cooler too. They may seem like stupid questions but I'm just dumb enough to ask about it. By a hot manifold I mean that sucker will just melt wires and boots in close proximity. Of course I'm going to pick up a good set of high temp wires but I'm just looking for some constructive input from those that have been there and done that. I have read that the 383 engines run hotter. Do they need additional ventilation?

I don't have a SC, but my plenum is always hot after running. I was trying to ohm my injectors while the engine was warm and had to be careful not to burn my hands. I don't know why your mechanic said it should only be "warm" - it's metal in a closed environment that's heated.

Matthew

and the act of supercharging will increase the temperature even more. Air, when compressed, gets hot.

Of course you expect exhaust components to be hot. Valve covers and such I'm calling warm. Usually you can touch them soon after shutting down. Just the other day I just felt around a little in the engine compartment after I shut it off for a minute or two. I guess they were just hotter than I expected. I also have dual intercoolers and those I thought were to draw in cooler air from the outside of the engine compartment.

As Bogus said, compressing air causes heat. The purpose of the intercooler is to act like a radiator and cool the intake air before it gets to the cylinders. The cooler the air the more you can get into the cylinders=more power. Because it can only partially cool the intake air you will see higher temps at the intake manifold/plenum. It should not be hot enough to melt wiring though.

Also, anytime you make more power, you make more heat. I use brake cooling ducts in my front spoiler to route air up to the front of the engine. I've also drilled holes (about 7/8" to 1" maybe?) in the rear under-hood bracing to let it back out. It made a difference. There's steel reinforcement inside the braces too, so be careful with the hole-saw.

With the LT1 there is not any water going through there for cooling so it will be hotter.