Front brake cooling? Options

[bob91403]

On all the racers and autocrossers I've seen they either fill in, cap, or tape over the front turn signals. I don't know if this makes sense, or has been done before. But for racers and autocrossers, couldn't you remove the turn signal bucket, and use the remaining hole with some aluminum heater hose to cool the front brakes?

[ArtechnikA]

maybe. this concept is seductive in its appeal - but the racers i've known who have tried it (and taped yarn tufts to the car to see the airflow at speed...) say the air doesn't move like you'd think it would.

many less-modified class rules prohibit openings in the coachwork that are not stock.

if you have ventilated disks, the best setup is to use a scoop on the A-Arm and duct air to the eye of the hub; AJ-USA (and others) have a kit for this very purpose that replaces the useless 'dust cover.' if you have solid disks, you need to make something that can direct air to both sides of the disk evenly -- don't try to cool just one side of the disk or you'll wind up with a big Belleville washer ...

actually - you must have A LOT of traction - big, sticky tires - and v-e-r-y soft brake pads to overheat brakes at an autocross. i've only really seen overheated brakes at an AX once, and it was a guy with a 928S4 whose technique consisted of holding the right pedal to the floor at all times and left-foot-braking in turns. it didn't work very well.

brake heat isn't a factor at AX - in fact, lots of guys are using soft racing pads that NEED heat to work.

on a big track it's a different story.