BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[tygaboy]

Hi World!
Let the games begin! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)
As the title says, it's a '75 that's getting an LS3 (Cracker's "old" motor - thanks Tony!) and Boxster 6 speed.
Also planned is zippidy doo-dah 911 front suspension with Boxster calipers all around. The rear suspension is getting 911 ebrakes, Tangerine Racing raised pickups and shock towers.
I have plans to stiffen the chassis with a partial cage.

Doesn't that sound like a great plan? I think so, too!

BACKGROUND:
I got this as a roller that was purported to be "dry and accident free". And it was!
Except for all the rust and the place where it was hit. Yeah, yeah... But it's all good. The seller and I worked everything out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

But our little 914s are full of surprises and isn't that half the fun? So, first up is rust repair time! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Let's begin with some pics of what I started with. Wish me luck! Wait, forget the luck, wish me SKILL!!!

[AZBanks]

I think you are on the right track. I can't wait to see the results.

[dan10101]

Then maybe something like this to finish it off, but using a more open mesh.

I really like this. I know you can do it even better.

[tygaboy]

After messing about with the design, I cut one ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) geez, how old am I?) and went after bending the vents. It immediately apparent it doesn't need those little arcs in the corners at the bend. I thought they'd add some style points but they actually detract.

Anyway, here's how I ended up bending the vents. I didn't have this clamping model totally worked out on that first little vent so its bend radius isn't as crisp as it should be. Won't happen again, I promise!

[mgp4591]

Here's the look I'm after for this version...

I think a rounded edge similar to these can really add some much needed sex appeal to these boxy little cars just like the softer curves of the steel flares add it to the whole car. Some interesting ideas floating around your garage!

[tygaboy]

You can see I also updated the notch area. I couldn't resolve that top angle to my liking so decided to try this look.

Note that I just snipped the lower edge of any vents that interfered with the panel sitting down in the hood. I'll work all that out and see if I can account for it in the design.

Overall, I do like it better than V1. That said, there are a couple angles where it reminds me of a home heater floor vent! Maybe with the vent sides and mesh added, I'll un-see that...

One potential update I think I will do is to narrow the frame dimension. Keep the same outer dimension and widen the vents. In the full frontal shot, the frame seems a bit too much.

In any case, I need to look at it on the car for a couple days and see what I think.
In the meantime, I welcome your constructive criticism.

[tygaboy]

Speaking of that full frontal shot, with the fog light delete grills I plan to run, the vents are practically begging to run directly side to side. I think I'll make one with horizontal vents and see with that looks like.

[djway]

Another possible idea is have them drop down less, shorten up the slat part, say to an inch. You could then consider more slats. This would also get rid of the interference problem with the wheel well.
I dig watching all this.

[sixnotfour]

Try bending over a bigger radius....air rollout

[Andyrew]

I like it,

I just wonder about making it line up with the headlight bucket as was previously mentioned.

[tygaboy]

Here's tomorrow's "horizontal" test version. Plain as this may be, I think it's going to look pretty cohesive. Maybe not as dramatic, but still pretty cool. We'll soon see.

[tygaboy]

Try bending over a bigger radius....air rollout

@sixnotfour - I'll give that a go on the next version. Thanks!

[tygaboy]

Another possible idea is have them drop down less, shorten up the slat part, say to an inch. You could then consider more slats. This would also get rid of the interference problem with the wheel well.
I dig watching all this.

@djway - Glad you're enjoying it. The most recent "horizontal" design uses more and there for less deep vent blades. Once I get an overall design I like, I can tweak to address the niggly things like interference. Thanks!

[Rand]

Loving this. If it moves enough air to cool well, it's a winner. Be careful, you'll have orders! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Cracker]

You need to decide if you want form or function - it is possible to have both but there is a reason I have never seen a race car with hood venting set outside. This tells us something, ehh?

You have the skills to execute something I have always wanted to do but have not - a chambered/funneled closure from the radiator through the hood.
Tony

[tygaboy]

You need to decide if you want form or function - it is possible to have both but there is a reason I have never seen a race car with hood venting set outside. This tells us something, ehh?

You have the skills to execute something I have always wanted to do but have not - a chambered/funneled closure from the radiator through the hood.
Tony

@Cracker - Tony, so far, my car is "over-cooling" and not getting up to temp. Granted, I'm not on track but indications are that I have room to sacrifice some functional design for form. And you know me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

I'll be reporting back as this does/doesn't work out as hoped.

[Krieger]

Have you given any thought to what color the vents would be painted? I think way back in the original rendering they were done in black. It looked really cool from the front! In looking at your pictures you see a lot inside the trunk. How you paint the inside of the trunk will make a difference with those large openings between the vents. Depending on the angle your viewing, the contrast between black vents and body color inside the trunk may be unappealing. Maybe some large black mesh under vents? Maybe paint front trunk area black? Maybe body colored vents and trunk. Anyway some more thoughts. Looking good!

[andrewb]

How long before you decide you want them motorised to vary the amount of airflow ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Seriously though I think they are a little 'chunky'. Particularly in the head on shot - there's too much contrast with the size of the foglight grills ? Just IMO - whatever you do it's incredible.

[bbrock]

How long before you decide you want them motorised to vary the amount of airflow ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

^^^^^ THIS! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[tygaboy]

@andrewb @bbrock - Probably no motorized actuation. Well, at least not until I get a working design for a fixed vent.

Speaking of which - I'm not liking the look of a vent that's made up of a a single layer of sheet metal. So it's on to the next revision. This one is a first go at a "frame with vent slat positioners" approach. Once the crossmembers are bent into position, they serve as the mounting surface for the slats, which I can now make from something thicker to get the look I want.

Here's the old vs new look. The new one is wider (same width as the headlight cut out) and a bit shorter. I also moved it up the hood to make it simpler to deal with the hood's support structure. I'm still doing some head-scratching about that. With the vents in the hood, I really don't need to worry about the hood seal, at least not from the fuel tank bulkhead forward.

[tygaboy]

Another of the current design size and location.