12 replies to this topic

[Brams96]

In the latest Mini Magazine (pg 86) there are some Carbon Fibre A-panel Vents that claim to release built up pressure from within the wheelarches and diffuse it to the low pressure area down the side of the car. Does anyone know how they work, or has anyone fitted them??

[Wil_h]

At a guess there has been no windtunnel testing of these 'vents', thus the effect is purely theory.

If you believe it will be a benefit drill some holes in your A-panels. Like most things someone somewhere did this and claimed amazing effects. People then copy the mod and the myth continues with no scientific or measured back-up.

There has been an interesting set of articles on Mini aerodynamice in Racecar Engineering over the last 3-months. They didn't try this mod, but my guess is that the effects are not as cut and dry as people are making out.

[Brams96]

I had an idea to put a deflector over the alternator to direct more air towards the radiator and then inside the arch have a similar shaped vent as those carbon ones to direct the air down towards the bottom of the car. My thought was if I could get the shape right the vent would have a kind of venturi affect and draw air down as well so creating a push (from the front) and pull (from the vent) through the rad. Sounds good on paper, what do you think?

[lawnmowercrap]

I had an idea to put a deflector over the alternator to direct more air towards the radiator and then inside the arch have a similar shaped vent as those carbon ones to direct the air down towards the bottom of the car. My thought was if I could get the shape right the vent would have a kind of venturi affect and draw air down as well so creating a push (from the front) and pull (from the vent) through the rad. Sounds good on paper, what do you think?

Sounds far to complicated....

If a mini needed downforce, they would have bolted some diffusers and a whale tale on it at longbridge...

[wile e coyote]

Not going to be helpful on this thread - but hang on a mo! - a fully steel car with cast iron lump with the aerodynamic properties of a breeze block and there are tricks like this mooted as making a noticeable difference??????? hahahaha - perhaps some super race spec car lightened to bu**ery may see some miniscule benefit but come on - reality check - save a few Kg's - put your obligatory in boot toolbox on a diet to see greater benefit...

[Brams96]

I'm not really after a huge areodynamic advantage, I was just thinking I could improve the airflow through the rad and maybe relieve the under wing pressure a bit. I realise that we all drive bricks on wheels so they will always be disadvantaged but I'm sure there can be simple things we can do to improve things.

[Pooky]

Not going to be helpful on this thread - but hang on a mo! - a fully steel car with cast iron lump with the aerodynamic properties of a breeze block and there are tricks like this mooted as making a noticeable difference??????? hahahaha - perhaps some super race spec car lightened to bu**ery may see some miniscule benefit but come on - reality check - save a few Kg's - put your obligatory in boot toolbox on a diet to see greater benefit...

[eden7842]

i had 3 vents on my nearside to help with cooling, ud be surprised how much heat gets trapped in the wing and the vents let it all out.

[Brams96]

Where do the vents attach to and which way were they facing? and where did you get yours from or did you diy them?

I know what you mean about the heat after driving mine around the N/S wing is quite warm to touch, that's partly what I'm attempting to reduce.

[eden7842]

i didont have some vents attached. it was just 4 drilled holes. im sure once uve founs some vents fitting them would be pretty simple.

use some tigerseal on the back possibly?

[Brams96]

i didont have some vents attached. it was just 4 drilled holes

Ahh ok. I'm going to make a cowling to go over the vents in the n/s inner wing so the hot air will be forced down towards the road, that should help (I think)

[eden7842]

yeah sound like a good plan, mine worked well as i could never touch the wing on a hot day, but once i drilled the holes it cooled down alot!

[Sherlock]

Some of the racers years ago had vents in the left hand A-panel to allow hot air out more efficiently which also helped equalize brake temperatures, but it had nothing to do with aerodynamics.