andygtt
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| posted on 6/1/06 at 07:38 PM |
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Not entirelly true.... if the air filter is sealed against them then it will suck clean low pressure air throught the ducts quite effectivelly IMO.
Thats assuming the ducts function is purelly to feed the air filter.... if it is designed to take cold air into the engine bay generally then that
will not happen... it will only allow hot air to escape.
Andy
please redefine your limits.
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kb58
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| posted on 6/1/06 at 08:14 PM |
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Well okay, fair enough, though having it the shape of a NACA duct is pointless other then styling. Yes it will work but looks funny. In fact, they
would probably work better turned around backwards, to catch some of the turbulant air curling around behind the cab.
Of course my car looks funny too, so who am I to say...
[Edited on 1/6/06 by kb58]
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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RazMan
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| posted on 6/1/06 at 08:49 PM |
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The main reason for choosing the NACA duct was that I had already got them in my odds & sods bin. 
I know they are not in an ideal position for airflow at racing speeds but normal road driving should be ok - better than nothing. As Andy says, they
also allow hot air to escape from the engine bay so you could even say they are dual purpose  I am very concious of the pitfalls of driving a closed
mid-engined car in the heat of summer with no aircon so I am trying to find all sorts of ways of letting heat out.
As far as styling goes, I agree they look rather harsh at the moment but they are not staying like that and will have a curved cover to blend them in
a little - watch this space.
[Edited on 6-1-06 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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kb58
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| posted on 6/1/06 at 10:17 PM |
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Are these vents for lead cool air to the engine or to let hot air out?
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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andygtt
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| posted on 6/1/06 at 10:20 PM |
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I gota say your mini looks awsome in your advatar.
Andy
please redefine your limits.
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kb58
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| posted on 6/1/06 at 11:07 PM |
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Thanks Andy, there's more pictures on the site.
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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RazMan
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| posted on 6/1/06 at 11:20 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by kb58
Are these vents for lead cool air to the engine or to let hot air out?
I am hoping to have the left one for cold air to the air filter and the other one for engine bay venting and, and, and ..... because it's there
It was a 'spur of the moment' thing as the top panel was quite flimsy and the ducts stiffened everything up nicely as well as
giving/taking some air too. Trust me, they will look ok but might still be 'discussed'
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Spyderman
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| posted on 7/1/06 at 10:19 PM |
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Nice modifications Razman. Much better than standard!
I have to agree with the negative comments about those NACA ducts tho'. Nothing about the ducts themselves (I love em), just the location and
function of them.
NACA ducts by their design have to be in a high pressure laminar airflow situation to be of any use at all. With them in your position they are
nothing more than cosmetic and if anything would restrict any necessary aiflow to or from the engine bay. At best the area will be a low pressure area
and will be trying to draw air out of a tiny little slot with very little airspeed. There is just not enough of an opening to do any good as
ventilation.
You would be far better putting in large mesh grills in order to let hot air to escape.
Other than that looking good!
Terry
Spyderman
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RazMan
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| posted on 7/1/06 at 10:47 PM |
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Thanks for the comments Terry - much appreciated.
I must say that I wish I had stuck to my original idea and put them in the buttresses, therefore back in the higher airflow. I just couldn't
find a suitable shaped duct so I went with the present setup.
The best thing the NACA's did was stiffen up the top panel nicely. If it is really a big 'no no' I suppose I can always fill them in
and put a larger grille above the engine to let heat out more easily, although the problem of rainwater comes up. I still think that the air filter
will benefit though so I am still in two minds - that V6 is going to generate a lot of heat.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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MikeR
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| posted on 8/1/06 at 12:23 AM |
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lots of people have air filters sticking out in the open - mostly the bec boys. They don't seem to have a problem. Unless the car is stationary
with the engine off i can't see it being an issue.
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Spyderman
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| posted on 8/1/06 at 02:14 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Thanks for the comments Terry - much appreciated.
I must say that I wish I had stuck to my original idea and put them in the buttresses, therefore back in the higher airflow. I just couldn't
find a suitable shaped duct so I went with the present setup.
The best thing the NACA's did was stiffen up the top panel nicely. If it is really a big 'no no' I suppose I can always fill them in
and put a larger grille above the engine to let heat out more easily, although the problem of rainwater comes up. I still think that the air filter
will benefit though so I am still in two minds - that V6 is going to generate a lot of heat.
I had already anticipated the rainwater issue and wondered if you had maybe thought of same result.
Having had both a Fiat X1/9 and an MR2 MK1, both with vented engine covers, the obvious answer would be a double skinned engine cover. Just make a
flatish panel to sit below the vent and mount it about an inch or so below. This could have a lip on it if you wanted to channel the water or could
just be made so that it does'nt drip onto anything important. To fix it to the engine cover glassfibre some small wooden blocks to the outer
cover and fix through the splash guard into the wood.
The air filters really could do with a cold air duct of their own otherwise performance will drop off as the engine heats up especially in a
mid-engined environment.
If you want to stiffen-up any flat panels just glass a wooden batten to the underside. Just make sure the wood is completely sealed from moisture.
Terry
Spyderman
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RazMan
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| posted on 8/1/06 at 06:38 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Unless the car is stationary with the engine off i can't see it being an issue.
My car is going to be a daily driver so I need to park it outside in the rain (quite often in this country)
As Spyderman mentioned, vents need to be carefully positioned to ensure that ignition systems and other water sensitive components are kept dry.
I had a huge bonnet vent on my Nissan which soaked the alternator when parked in the rain. It got so wet it didn't work until it dried out. When
I moved the vent 50mm towards the rad, the rain just went straight down the gap between rad and engine with no problem.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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