How about 'air deflectors' for the cutouts under the nose ??

[SwaveDave]

Was toying with the idea of making some sheetmetal air deflectors for each cutout under the nose to grab air for the radiator/condensor , when car is moving. Thought maybe bending them down on a 45 degree angle and extending them outward about 3 inches , would still put them at the same level as the bottom of the oil pan so as not to hit anything on the road. I think they would grab quite a bit of air. Maybe paint em black so they arent noticed easily.

Has anyone tried it ? Any thoughts on this ?

Dave

 

[MaineShark]

Hmmm...

I have my transmission and power steering coolers above those openings, so more airflow would be a definite plus.

I can see something that might be a problem, though: rain. I'm not sure how much water those would scoop up if you were following someone on a wet road, and what affect the water would have on the wiring for the headlights.

Maybe someone else has done this, and knows if it really is a problem, or not.

Joe

 

[SwaveDave]

Joe,

Good point on the rain issue...never thought of that. Ill have to see if the airflow would be in direct line with the headlight wiring ; maybe putting the wiring in some covering would get past that problem. If you have coolers above those cutouts...then it might really benefit you to think of doing something like this. I was just trying to get more into the radiator so my electric radiator fans wouldnt kick on as much (not that they kick on alot anyway). I suppose putting a spoiler under those cutouts would help too...but i was thinking along the lines of a metal deflector to 'scoop' the air in.

Ill give it some more thought, and maybe even fabricate some deflectors out of sheetmetal since i have a sheetmetal brake for forming it. How do u think i should fasten the deflectors ?

Dave

 

[Tom73]

Isn't that what the chin spoiler does?

 

[SwaveDave]

True...but the chin spoiler is not located close enough to the cutouts ; id like to fabricate something out of sheetmetal to actually 'scoop' the air in. Ill play around with it some more and maybe try something temporarily.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

The main thing is, I think, would to make sure to carry the deflector all the way to the base of the radiator for max flow. Anothe thought is to glass it all in so it looks like part of an airdam. If you have a paint program on your computer take a picture of the front and play with it on the computer to see what it would look like. The air flow to the radiator on the C3's could use some help; so you have a good idea.

Let us know how it goes and post picture if you do it.

Gary

 

[MaineShark]

Good point on the rain issue...never thought of that. Ill have to see if the airflow would be in direct line with the headlight wiring ; maybe putting the wiring in some covering would get past that problem.

I'd also be concerned about rocks, so a mesh screen (expanded metal - go to the dump and get them to let you pull the condenser screen off a defunct window air conditioner) might be a good idea, as well.

How do u think i should fasten the deflectors ?

There are several fasteners surrounding the opening, that hold the body panel to the frame. I'd suggest "piggybacking" on the same fasteners.

Joe

 

[SwaveDave]

Ok Joe...thanks.

Dave

 

[jetech]

I am working on a scoop similar to the type that comes with the ground effects kit. I started making a mold using plywood and then shifted the idea to making the base scoop out of baltic birch plywood and then laminating fiberglass with epoxy resin over the wood. Then I plan to fill in the side to fender area with foam and then glass over that. My scoop starts at the front edge of the bottom plate that is forward of the stock scoop and sweeps ahead 1 3/4" at the bottom. The opening is just under 2" and is most of the width of the bottom plate. If I ever get this done I will try and get some pictures.

 

[SwaveDave]

JeTech,

Sound interesting. Do let us know when you have it done. And give us a comparison on how it cooled before and after if you can.

Since im going on a long run down to FUNFEST at Mid America on Sept. 19th for the weekend....im going to fabricate some sheetmetal scoops for those cutouts prior to Sept. 19th , paint em a flat black , and fasten them using the existing bolts just at back of the cutouts. I dont think they will be that noticable from the front of the Vette since im only going down about 2.5 inches on a 45 degree angle. Ill extend them from the cutouts , about 3". Before i fasten them permanently, ill make sure they dont look hokie from the front . IF they do, then, ill just scrap the whole idea.

Dave