Cold air inlet

[shaun]

Where/how is cold air being fed to the cold/hot air blowers? I've looked at sando's bear front end photo and there is an ally airscoop next to the rad. I had intended to have the smiths blower fitted directly to the inner wing taking air from the inner wheel area. After 10 s careful thought, this could be my first bollox moment. The air entering the blower could have brake dust contamination, that would be a bad thing. A photo would be worth a thousand words as they say.

[Chris J]

It's a real problem isn't it? Finding somewhere to get any rammed air into the cockpit? I don't know just how good the roof scoops are, but if you're not going to fit one?...

I'm seriously thinking of putting a NACA duct at the back of the front panel 'a la F40'. Only one though. Originality won't be an issue when it comes to the horrible experience that is... 'Stratos Heat Stroke!!'.

Failing that it's the old pipe stuck out of the side window.
It works a treat.

[SUSIT]

Just realised for this first time my car does'nt have a cold air inlet, well seeing I live in the cold north. Add that to my list of to do's. Thanks Shaun

[guy mayers]

The original car had an intake on the right hand inner wing, hence the slightly different shapes of the headlamp housings. I guess this wasn't very effective as most cars had it blanked off. It was replaced by a scoop fitted under the radiator, letter box opening and triangular behind that to a pipe to the interior. It may well have had a fan assist but I'm not sure about that. Once again, getting cold air in isn't the problem..... getting air out is what needs sorting! If anyone has managed it successfully please let us know the secret!
Guy

[catswhiskers]

A photo would be worth a thousand words as they say.

Here you go Shaun. This is the arrangement on my Corse. The two 4" pipes duct cold air from just below the radiator and straight into the fan/heater assembly.
Mind you, cant say how effective it is until I hit the road but it looks pretty promising.

Mick

[shaun]

Thanks, thats a big rad you have by the way. I'd also like to keep the spare wheel and have cold air ducts for the brakes and.....

[catswhiskers]

Calm down dear, its only a replica.

I suppose you have to decide between keeping reasonably cool or having a spare wheel for the remote chance of having a puncture.
Hmmm decisions decisions.

Mick :D :D

[Chris J]

The original car had an intake on the right hand inner wing, hence the slightly different shapes of the headlamp housings. I guess this wasn't very effective as most cars had it blanked off. It was replaced by a scoop fitted under the radiator, letter box opening and triangular behind that to a pipe to the interior. It may well have had a fan assist but I'm not sure about that. Once again, getting cold air in isn't the problem..... getting air out is what needs sorting! If anyone has managed it successfully please let us know the secret!
Guy

I take your point Guy.

You'd need to suck the hot air out, but how? (with a fan?)
If nobody's thought of any solution up to now, it looks like something the Stratos occupant will have to live with, for ever more?

[strat6v]

Most production cars have vents somewhere to let air out. I think betas had them in the door jamb.As long as it exhausts kind of rearwards it should work ok.
What type of heater unit are you using? Could you not fit your cold inlet on the otherside in the front, that way you could have a reflection of an original.(assuming you have rhd) If you stuck the blower motor through the ally panel, into the wheel well and had the air entry in the front section you could then make up a nice little ally scoop with perhaps a short hose to the fan. This could then go through your bulkhead on the passenger side and not really interfere with anything.
What i'm trying to say is make everything a reflection of an original and most things should work out in the right place.

John.

[Sando]

Hi Shaun
Yes I fabricated a scoop just infront and at the side of the Rad to get cold air in. It then goes at the side of the Headlamp box, through the inner wing and up the much too large tube up to the bulkhead to the dash vents. I also have a 12v PC fan in their to help when stationary to pull some fresh air in. Most of the Air into the cockpit though is through the roof scoop. you do get some come through the side windows when they are fully down too (check out the dead insects on inside of the rear window!)
As for air getting out again, it seems to be a juggling act for me as to the pressure you create inside the cockpit. when the dash and roof vents are open there seems to be plenty of air flow, probably best when the windows are about 3/4 down. I do have the B&Q plumbing for emergency summer use though, as once the chassis and tunnel get warm on a long run with the sun on the windscreen you do get slowly cooked even with plenty of fresh air!
If you are putting carpet in I'd insulate the tunnel with some heat reflective stuff as well as the bulkhead (And lag your water pipes) as this is where a lot of the heat comes from inside. You can also get heat refelctive sunstrip/window tinting material which may cut down a little heat from the sun at the top of the windscreen. PANOS has even silvered his side windows to help keep the sun out.

PS when we came down on the trip me and Steve were freezing most of the time on the motorways because of very cold air coming in even with the vents shut. (I only have a demister heater)....... I can stand the cold but can't stand being too Hot! :)

cheers
Rob

[shaun]

So, the rotating airscoop is the answer. Forward facing for positive cabin pressure, rear facing for the extraction.

Not sure I can bring myself to cut a hole in the roof for a scoop, it's the only panel which is half decent.

Just a thought, can't that blower thing on top of your engine suck some air?

[David May]

Been there, done that! My scoop is a pivoting plate which can be faced forwards (to suck flies in) or backwards (to do very little!)
The Stratos aerodynamics are such that opening the windows seems to suck air out not push it in, so further extraction at the top has little effect. If I do some more rough rallies to punch some holes in the floor...

[Sando]

Just a thought, can't that blower thing on top of your engine suck some air?

:D :D
It whines enough right behind my head anyway! Perhaps that's the answer Shaun, cut some big holes in your bulkhead :rolleyes: :p

It frightened me too cutting holes in the roof, but it's well worth it (unless it's raining :eek: ) If I was clever I'd have made a flap to close off the front, but as Im not tape will do!
cheers
Rob
:cool:

[guy mayers]

Rob, have you got an open hole under the scoop or moveable vents? I used a small pair of directional vents, the body of which protrudes above the roof line. The vents can be closed off, turning a knob shuts the flaps, and even in the heaviest rain I only get the occaisonal drip - certainly no flood! After fitting 2 vents (out of kindness to passengers!) I later found out that Gp4 cars used one vent of the type used in the dash. No surprise there then!
Guy

[chris.richard]

I used the vent from the Elise Mk1, which is supposed to be the same as the original vents. I mounted it straight into the roof (no box), allowing for the thickness of some headlining. It is 1cm proud of the top of the roof, so surface water can't get in. I also cut a small exit hole in the back of the vent so that any water that goes in will be pushed out the back. In the garage, the car interior is dry as a dry thing. ;)

Wheels being painted this week :)

[guy mayers]

Wheels being painted this week :)


Wheels painted red a few weeks ago and now fully hardened so I had the tyres put back on today! All back on the car this afternoon! I like them - hope everyone else will!
Guy

[Sando]

I used the vent from the Elise Mk1, which is supposed to be the same as the original vents. I mounted it straight into the roof (no box), allowing for the thickness of some headlining. It is 1cm proud of the top of the roof, so surface water can't get in. I also cut a small exit hole in the back of the vent so that any water that goes in will be pushed out the back. In the garage, the car interior is dry as a dry thing. ;)

Yes I used Elise vents, two off in the roof. They have about 2cm protruding into the scoop and are all fully sealed. I also have some drain holes at the back of the scoop too. Makes no effing difference in the rain. (heavy persistant rain @ 80mph for hours at a time it does find it's way through the vents just in the air) Only a drip or two though not a flood. Not the sort of weather you'd likely to be driving in normally but sometimes needs must. ;)

Insulation tape across the front sounds a bit heath robinson, but was a very useful work around on the Monte Run. Even with only about 1cm left open, there is plenty of Air comes in the scoop at Motorway speeds. Some sort of mechanical flap inside the scoop would be a worthwhile project if you had the time or inclination.......... Emergency tape is fine for me! :D
cheers
Rob di Kappa ;)

[guy mayers]

Perhaps the holes at the rear of the scoop are allowing airflow through the scoop with water as well but no holes and the vents closed builds up pressure that allows very little in? Ever tried blowing a cork into a wide necked bottle?
Guy

[chris.richard]

Ever tried blowing a cork into a wide necked bottle?
Guy

Err, no.

You need to get out more Guy! :p

[BAS]

I think I'm with Guy on that one.

I take it that Guys roof vent does not have any drain holes then?

[guy mayers]

Correct Bas! No drain holes except the big one at the front for whan I'm going backwards! And Chris - try the cork and the wide necked bottle!
Guy

[strat6v]

I hadn't seen any roof vent internals before so decided to make something up.
In true blue peter fashion i used a planting tub from the garden centre as a mould,with a couple of bits of mdf added.After a liberal coating of release agent i glassed it. Once cured, out popped a nice little housing for me 127 circular vents which protrude through the roof by about 15mm.As far as the front opening goes, its easy to make a grp 'cap' with some form of sponge seal.

[GaryFitz]

If you are using perspex side windows I can recommend installing Helicopter vents into the window. We have been using these for a while in my GT40 and they are simple and very effective. It allows you to scoop air in, direct it, rotate the vent to use as an air exhaust, or pull close when required. They are a nice and elegant solution to our cockpit heat issues in the GT40. Cheers Gary

[David May]

Sounds like a good idea, but with the Stratos' cuved windscreen you'll be hard pushed to find a positive pressure outside point - unless it sticks way out..