V8 radiator outlets, alternative to cutting wheelhouse? Options

[914ltd]

Hi Guys, A couple years ago we took a 914/Chev back to stock for a customer. I then decided to build a 283 powered car for myself. I would like to avoid the huge cutouts in the wheelhouse. has anyone mounted a fan on the trunk floor, possibly with the 2 fans already on the radiator? This would be great for an already AC cut trunk floor. I'd appreciate your input. Thanks! Brad

914 Limited Inc.
Brad Mayeur
1162 N. Byerly Hills Dr.
East Peoria, IL. 61611
309-694-1797
Fax 309-698-2203
P914ltd@yahoo.com

[nick mironov]

I have recently completed my conversion and am testing hood venting options as well:

V8 Conversion

I have three hoods to work with. The following is my first test using a perforated metal panel to cover the cutout. It seems to work very well as it is, but I have not driven the car at high speeds yet, or with the top off. If you place your hand on the trianglular window as you drive, you feel the warm air sliding by the car surface - within a 1 one inch zone. The hot air flow seems to wrap around the windshield. Probably does the same over the roof. It does not enter the car with the windows down.

Disadvantages that I have observed:
Heat waves (shimmering) that rise from the hood vent that distort your vision as the car sits at idle and the fans kick on.
Loud fan sound outside of the car - no noticable difference inside. I assume that wheel well cutouts will result in quiter fan sound outside the car.

If the open area that I am using is inadequate, I can increase the hole sizes and/or cut out the two smaller panel sections on the hood.

I am also going to try louvers.

If I do decide to use the perforated plate, the final version will have the holes either drilled individually into the hood or cut with an automated plasma cutter.

I think that the perforated plate covering is an improvement over an uncovered vent opening. It seems to do a lot to improve the aerodynamic flow over the car hood and helps maintain a low pressure over the hood and keeps the air stream from entering the front compartment as it might with an uncovered opening with no leading edge lip.