[sum_weirdo]

This'll be my first winter with my Vortech and there's an ominous warning at the top of the manual about running the supercharger in any temp below freezing. Being able to plug in the block heater would be nice but my car is parked across the street.

Next weekend I'm getting a remote starter installed and it has a timer mode that will start the car every so often to keep the engine limber in cold weather. I'll want to make use of that and there are 2 dealer programmed options, one goes 4 minutes every 3 hours and the other every 1.5 hours. Nees to be set during install and so this brings me to the actual question:

I'm dealing with occasional -40 or 50 DEG Celsius temperatures and 4 minutes isn't that long, which is the best balance between keeping the engine/Vortech well lubricated and increased engine wear since it won't be at proper operating temperature?

[stlwagon]

Block heater would be a good idea. Don't exceed 2500 rpms until the car is warm.

[sum_weirdo]

Originally Posted by stlwagon

Block heater would be a good idea. Don't exceed 2500 rpms until the car is warm.

Indeed it would but like I said my car is across the street. Changing that arrangement opens up whole new problems that I won't get into.

[stlwagon]

Then just make sure you warm it up good.

[Guties]

how about putting the block heater on it... but plug it in thru the cigarette lighter... so everytime your car turns on for the 4 minutes the block heater turns on too. giving it that extra little boost.

[sum_weirdo]

Intriguing thought but can the cigarette lighter supply enough power for the block heater?

[Guties]

well you might have to get an adapter and read how many volts/watts the heater needs to run effieciently... then get an adapter accordingly... the thing is it might be hell on your alternator/battery but remember those are a lot cheaper to replace than a block or a supercharger.