Finishing of air ducts, grilles etc

[SimonP]

I'm after some advice on the openings at the front of the car:

Air Ducts:
As the inner wing panels cross the middle of these ducts, should the air flow be directed in any particular direction, or are they just left "as-is". The inner wing panel has been cut back by 50mm (2") behind each duct.

Radiator and oil cooler openings: (also air ducts)
I would like to fit some form of grille material to all these openings, particularly the radiator opening, as I don't like the idea of a stone puncturing the radiator.
Am I right in my interpretation of the SVA blurb, that if the grille mesh has holes of less than 10mm diameter there are no requirements for radiused edges?
I was thinking of stainless steel mesh with 8mm holes for this purpose.

Nearside side-vent:
How much material do I remove from the centre of the recessed area?
I recall seeing a pic showing 4 holes, say 25mm diameter towards the top of the recessed area.


Simon

[Happy Jim]

>I'm after some advice on the openings at the front of the
>car:
>
>Air Ducts:
Left as they are (unless of course you intend to duct the airflow to the brakes)
>
>Radiator and oil cooler openings: (also air ducts)
I've used ALI mesh as it is easier to form, however it will probably start to tarnish soon so I may move to stainless later on. SVA didn't have a problem with it though.
>
>Nearside side-vent:

? Not sure which bit you are on about here. The Grill recess' on the sides (next to the indicator repeaters) are left as-is, and the stainless grill fixed in place with 4*5mm bolts. You could chop it out if you wanted but I'm not sure you'd get access to much?
>
>
>Simon


Cheers

Jim

[SimonP]

Jim,

The offside vent recess is not cut out, as the bulkhead is situated directly behind it.

The nearside bulkhead is further back than the offside. Ths time the side vent functions as the air intake for the heater blower. If it's not cut out, the blower won't work properly - it'll just create a vacuum inside the wing compartment.

I know someone complained about the GD blower being a bit poor - maybe this was the reason?

I suppose the largest possible opening would help blower efficiency, but I will be using the car in all weather conditions, so I didn't want the compartment filling up with water when parked.
I am thinking of making up some shroud to keep water out but still allow removal of the heater box should the need arise.

Simon

[Happy Jim]

Simon,

I'm with you now.

I've left my vent cover as is but have sufficient space around the pipes that poke into the footwell to let air in (to then be blown out).

With the hood up and screens on it's a case of more off than on because it gets too hot. Hood down and it'll keep legs warm at traffic lights but isn't a great deal of use at cruising speeds (but then I wouldn't expect it to be).

I'd be more concerned about water ingress through the vent holes into the void though doing it your way (but I'm sure plenty of GD'ers have done just that).

Cheers

Jim

[Robin427]

Would it be possible to fit some small foglights into the brake cooling ducts? I've seen some funky ones on t'internet...


Robin

Drive it like you stole it...
http://www.creffield.com/cobra/index.html

[SimonP]

Can't see why not....though if I see you driving around with them on instead of headlamps, or when it's not foggy, I will personally rip them out!!

BUT if you fit them prior to SVA, you will have to make sure that there is a letter "B" next to the e-mark.
If you wire them so that they can come on without dipped headlamps, they must also be a maximum of 400mm from the side of the vehicle.
(I take it this would include the rear wheel arch, so wiring through a relay controlled by the dip circuit is the best bet.)

The maximum height from the ground is 1200mm (there's no minimum), so nothing to worry about on the height.

Let me know if you're unsure how and where to connect.

Simon.