[Z06] Free heat reducing mod
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Jax Fl
Free heat reducing mod
I wanted to post this some time ago...
When installing my side vent screens I noticed something interesting.
First off, for those that are unaware, the side vents are functional. They allow hot air from the engine compartment a place to exit, mostly at speed. If you look inside of them, you'll notice a black piece of plastic. The function of that piece is strictly cosmetic and prevents you from being able to see less aesthetically pleasing parts under the body work. It also prevents the ducts from functioning to their fullest capacity. These shrouds (for lack of proper term) are easily removed from inside the compartments of the front wheel wells and open up a huge hole for hot air to drawn out due to the shape of the ducts.
I didn't remove them on my car (yet) since I'm waiting for my warranty to expire before I go racing and wouldn't recommend it unless you were in fact auto xing. (I doubt it would benefit a drag car since the ducts function at speed and you're not at speed long enough at the drags) For you track racers in the crowd this would be an easy way to get a little extra cooling under the hood. Probably not a huge difference but if you were to look at the ducts without the shrouds, you could plainly see the benefit. :cheers:
When installing my side vent screens I noticed something interesting.
First off, for those that are unaware, the side vents are functional. They allow hot air from the engine compartment a place to exit, mostly at speed. If you look inside of them, you'll notice a black piece of plastic. The function of that piece is strictly cosmetic and prevents you from being able to see less aesthetically pleasing parts under the body work. It also prevents the ducts from functioning to their fullest capacity. These shrouds (for lack of proper term) are easily removed from inside the compartments of the front wheel wells and open up a huge hole for hot air to drawn out due to the shape of the ducts.
I didn't remove them on my car (yet) since I'm waiting for my warranty to expire before I go racing and wouldn't recommend it unless you were in fact auto xing. (I doubt it would benefit a drag car since the ducts function at speed and you're not at speed long enough at the drags) For you track racers in the crowd this would be an easy way to get a little extra cooling under the hood. Probably not a huge difference but if you were to look at the ducts without the shrouds, you could plainly see the benefit. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Free heat reducing mod (pridnjoy)
Good theory.
If the fender liner were to be removed then the hot air from the engine compartment would have a route to be ejected by the side vents.
Unfortunately with the liner in place there is not much of a path for air to reach the side vent even with the part mentioned removed.
In practice the side "vents" are for styling.
Looks as if they've been a motif in Corvette styling since the inception.
If they WERE to be functional they would serve the aerodynamic function of reducing the trapped air that collects in the rear of the wheel well when the vehicle is driven at high speed.
Of course if you REALLY want yours to function, simply remove the inner fender liner.
Regards,
If the fender liner were to be removed then the hot air from the engine compartment would have a route to be ejected by the side vents.
Unfortunately with the liner in place there is not much of a path for air to reach the side vent even with the part mentioned removed.
In practice the side "vents" are for styling.
Looks as if they've been a motif in Corvette styling since the inception.
If they WERE to be functional they would serve the aerodynamic function of reducing the trapped air that collects in the rear of the wheel well when the vehicle is driven at high speed.
Of course if you REALLY want yours to function, simply remove the inner fender liner.
Regards,
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Jax Fl
Re: Free heat reducing mod (VetNutJim)
Good theory.
If the fender liner were to be removed then the hot air from the engine compartment would have a route to be ejected by the side vents.
Unfortunately with the liner in place there is not much of a path for air to reach the side vent even with the part mentioned removed.
In practice the side "vents" are for styling.
Looks as if they've been a motif in Corvette styling since the inception.
If they WERE to be functional they would serve the aerodynamic function of reducing the trapped air that collects in the rear of the wheel well when the vehicle is driven at high speed.
Of course if you REALLY want yours to function, simply remove the inner fender liner.
Regards,
If the fender liner were to be removed then the hot air from the engine compartment would have a route to be ejected by the side vents.
Unfortunately with the liner in place there is not much of a path for air to reach the side vent even with the part mentioned removed.
In practice the side "vents" are for styling.
Looks as if they've been a motif in Corvette styling since the inception.
If they WERE to be functional they would serve the aerodynamic function of reducing the trapped air that collects in the rear of the wheel well when the vehicle is driven at high speed.
Of course if you REALLY want yours to function, simply remove the inner fender liner.
Regards,
[Modified by VettTheRipper, 10:37 AM 6/26/2002]
[Modified by VettTheRipper, 1:35 PM 6/26/2002]
