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

[tygaboy]

@live free & drive - Yep, but first I need to build vents that I can test. At this point, I'm operating on the assumption that it's more a question of sheer air flow volume. As I mentioned, my car currently over-cools so I'm less concerned about the absolute performance of the vents. They just have to work "well enough" to allow for adequate cooling.

If the vent design inhibits or otherwise negatively impacts getting sufficient airflow, then I'll have to look at something else.

[tygaboy]

For those of you who may get tired of my never ending, iterative approach, apologies. I really am making it up as I go along.

Today, it's all the way back to Square 1. @RetroRacer Tony's design has a far more finished look than the "bend-a-vents". I'd really like to see if I can get closer so I'm going to try and fab a "frame-then-vents" model. I feel like I need to try this, just to see how it turns out.

Here's the initial design. The cut lines are in black, the bend lines are in red. It'll have a .8" frame and I'll bend down the walls. The .5" slits in the walls will be where and how I locate the separately made vents. I THINK I got the calculations right so that once the walls are bent, the locating slits will line up at all the correct angles. We shall see.

And yes, there are a few spots where I'll have to make a piece to connect the wall corners once they are folded into place.

And @AZBanks - Great minds. You can see I'd already accounted for an attempt to open up the inner wall as much as I can. The issue with simply bending the mesh to close everything off is that, without a wall, I end up with a visible seam in the mesh that has zero chance of looking very good.

[914Toy]

For those of you who may get tired of my never ending, iterative approach, apologies. I really am making it up as I go along.

Today, it's all the way back to Square 1. @RetroRacer Tony's design has a far more finished look than the "bend-a-vents". I'd really like to see if I can get closer so I'm going to try and fab a "frame-then-vents" model. I feel like I need to try this, just to see how it turns out.

Here's the initial design. The cut lines are in black, the bend lines are in red. It'll have a .8" frame and I'll bend down the walls. The .5" slits in the walls will be where and how I locate the separately made vents. I THINK I got the calculations right so that once the walls are bent, the locating slits will line up at all the correct angles. We shall see.

And yes, there are a few spots where I'll have to make a piece to connect the wall corners once they are folded into place.

And @AZBanks - Great minds. You can see I'd already accounted for an attempt to open up the inner wall as much as I can. The issue with simply bending the mesh to close everything off is that, without a wall, I end up with a visible seam in the mesh that has zero chance of looking very good.

I suggest you reduce the width of the "blades" to about 1" or less to improve the visual, which I believe would not significantly adversely affect the air flow.

[live free & drive]

Trackspec has some interesting looking louver designs:

https://trackspecmotorsports.com/shop-by-part/hood-louvers

[tygaboy]

I treated myself to a GoPro! Based on the recommendation of @Matty900 Matt, I went with the Hero8 Black. Thanks Matt!
Anyway, I figured I should figure out how to make it work and what better motivator than sticking it on my car and taking them both out for a short test drive. I'm still tweaking the throttle linkage and wanted to give the latest adjustments a try.

A couple things:
- I needed to re-clock one of the fuel line connections and left off the fire wall access panel so when you see me glancing back, I'm just triple checking there are no fuel leaks.
- The back window isn't in the car and the camera is suction cup mounted to the engine lid.
- You'll see the car get a little squirrelly just before I turn back into my lane. There was a damp spot, the clutch is still quite abrupt and I didn't rev match, there's a ton of engine braking and the tires are surely cold. Still, I wasn't expecting that!
- I can't believe how much hair I've lost!

Boy, oh boy, I LOVE that intake roar. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) All this said, the tune has not yet been updated since the throttle body and bell crank updates so I'm expecting even more improvements once it has another session with the tuner.

And with the GoPro, now when I'm in the shop, I can make those fast-motion videos of everything I do to my car! I know you can't wait for those. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JK6xlMMlg

[Mueller]

Nice video, car sounds great and one can tell it is going to haul @$$ when you put your foot into it.

What do you think of the gearing with that transmission?

[Krieger]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I am smiling ear to ear! Dang, that's got to feel good! Sounds awesome!

[Cairo94507]

That sounded so good. You need to add a passenger seat in that bay for the next time I come over. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[dan10101]

It sounds awesome and it's working so well. No wind noise from the camera, only beautiful music!

[Andyrew]

Sounds and runs great!!!! Congrats! Can't wait to see more video!

The gopro 8 is a great choice!!! Dad and I use a 7B and I have a spare 5B but as I found out at WCR it has horrible wind buffering. I want to try the new 9 if there is a BF deal. One can never have to many gopros (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[tygaboy]

Nice video, car sounds great and one can tell it is going to haul @$$ when you put your foot into it.

What do you think of the gearing with that transmission?

@Mueller Mike - So far, the gearing seems fine. First may be a tad low but until I get a new tune and replace the clutch master cylinder with the smaller bore model, I'm not going to have a much better idea. But I haven't heard any complaints from anyone else with the LS/G86-20 combo.

[djway]

Oh that tone change when the RPMs climb (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)
ps
Your steering wheel makes me think of Andorians...

[mgp4591]

Had a few really nice pulls with some sweet, heavy breathing from your exhaust...she sounds like rocket! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[tygaboy]

Vent testing. Let me start by saying that this isn't yarn. And it's too stiff. But, in typical fashion, it's all I had on hand.
Next, please excuse the horrid belt squeal when the fans come on. @markhoward has been after me to tighten it since the day he and @buddyv Robert helped with the first start.

All that said, it sure seems like there's sufficient airflow as the fans will cycle off after just a bit. And re: the too stiff, you can see the string does bob around nicely, once it's been freed from whatever it was hung up on. Those little vents closest to the corners sure don't seem to do much! But something is likely better than nothing.

Next up: the road test!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzp4LucAZTc

[tygaboy]

Also, the testing is happening with this latest version of the vent.
Changes include adding a notch in the lower, outside corner. This greatly simplifies clearing the area of the support structure where that rubber-nubber height adjuster screws in.
An added bonus is that I can slide the vent that much closer to the headlight opening.
But best update of all? It's al-u-MINI-um!
I used .063 material and it gives the vent just a bit more visual heft, which I prefer. Plus it weighs nothing.

[Rand]

Let's get some wind tunnel time. Someone else scoffed at my comment about the angle of the louvers affecting potential airflow lift or low pressure. It does matter.

[ValcoOscar]

I treated myself to a GoPro! Based on the recommendation of @Matty900 Matt, I went with the Hero8 Black. Thanks Matt!
Anyway, I figured I should figure out how to make it work and what better motivator than sticking it on my car and taking them both out for a short test drive. I'm still tweaking the throttle linkage and wanted to give the latest adjustments a try.

A couple things:
- I needed to re-clock one of the fuel line connections and left off the fire wall access panel so when you see me glancing back, I'm just triple checking there are no fuel leaks.
- The back window isn't in the car and the camera is suction cup mounted to the engine lid.
- You'll see the car get a little squirrelly just before I turn back into my lane. There was a damp spot, the clutch is still quite abrupt and I didn't rev match, there's a ton of engine braking and the tires are surely cold. Still, I wasn't expecting that!
- I can't believe how much hair I've lost!

Boy, oh boy, I LOVE that intake roar. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) All this said, the tune has not yet been updated since the throttle body and bell crank updates so I'm expecting even more improvements once it has another session with the tuner.

And with the GoPro, now when I'm in the shop, I can make those fast-motion videos of everything I do to my car! I know you can't wait for those. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3JK6xlMMlg

Very nice Chris...

Over the top..please slow down, I don't want this thread to end.

For a second I thought you were giving Mark & Robert a test ride.




Oscar

[tygaboy]

Suction the GoPro to the hood, aim it at the vent and off we go. This is after the car has warmed up a bit.

And this is the first time I've "floored it". Wheelspin, baby... Hence that slow shift to 2nd. I am on a public road, after all. Back to the vent test:

Before you comment, please note that I actually did this video before the earlier fan test so the string didn't blow back into the positions you see in this video. This is where they started. Again, I'll redo these tests with yarn or some more suitable material.

I'm no aerodynamicist but, does it look like maybe I could use a Gurney flap right at the front of the vent? Non-yarn aside, it seems those lower vents could use some help.

And remember, the car still doesn't have an overheating problem. In fact, that earlier fan test was after this drive, then sitting in the shop, running for another few minutes to even get the fans to come on.

OK, enough from me - let the critiques begin! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3KUuusPffs

[tygaboy]

I have to say, this is a pretty momentous occasion for me. Tony @RetroRacer drew up what I think is the best looking H2O cooled 914 vent set up I've ever seen and today, I drove my car with real live versions of his design in place and functioning.
I say "his design" and by that I mean, the closest I could get with my current skill set. I hope I did you proud, my friend.

Tony,
THANK YOU so much for taking time to do that drawing as well as all that time you spent talking with me about all the details. You have added what I think is the key design element in my build.
I owe you BIG TIME.
Thanks again!

Man, I LOVE this forum.

[Cairo94507]

Clearly I am out of my depth. I look at the strings and see the car is moving and they are just blowing with the wind hitting them. How does that show air being drawn from the radiator out of the vents? If you tied string to the same location on the driver's side, would the string not blow around too?

How about a fogger machine you sit in front of the car and turn on to see if the smoke comes out the vents?

OK, never mind, my mom always told me, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt". I never learn. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)