What Is It?

[bdeutsch]

On page 14 of the March 2010 issue of Hot Rod, is a picture of Bruce Cambern's original 427 Cobra competing at the Optima Pro Touring Invitational. If you take a look at the image, you will note that there appears to be some kind of airflow splitter (my guess) visible in the middle of the radiator inlet.

Similarly, if you take a look at the cover of the September 2009 issue of Classic Motorsports, the original ivory/white Cobra 427 pictured on the cover also appears to have something that is visible in the middle of the radiator inlet as well. I am guessing that it is the same kind of splitter that is more visible in image mentioned above.

Does anyone know what this thing is? To my knowledge, I have not seen anything like in on specialty constructed Cobras, to include Shelby's.

Thanks,

Bob

[Mooch]

I don't have the article in front of me, but are you talking about something like this?



This is an option provided by ERA.

[Gunner]

It's a splitter. They are quite common in street performance cars with a deep, open radiator inlet. My ERA has one. You can see them on many modern "scoop nose" cars as well.

I am not entirely clear on the theory but in general, breaking up a large opening with a blade like this promotes cleaner, stronger flow into the radiator instead of allowing the air to burble around in front of it. They aren't used on race versions of cars because at track speeds, the air gets rammed through no matter what. Taking the same car to the street means that at lower speeds, the air can be so turbulent that hardly any flows through the radiator. The splitter helps to prevent that.

[bdeutsch]

That is exactly what it looks like...appreciate the image.

As mentioned, I have never seen one on any Cobra, original or specialty constructed.

Is ERA the only manufacturer having this as an option?

Bob

[Gunner]

They aren't that uncommon. I'm pretty sure they were on most original street Cobras (although they may have been removed), and are an option on ERA, CSX and (I think) Kirkham cars.

They're a bit that's really neither here nor there - their effectiveness is questionable and their absence doesn't usually make a difference. So as with so many other details on these cars, it's the owner's preference. I have mine off right now for access to the oil plumbing and was thinking about putting the pushbar back on without the splitter... just to see how it looks and if it affects cooling any.

I suppose they provide some small amount of radiator protection as well - a rock bouncing up into the opening has a good chance of being slowed or deflected away from the delicate rad fins.

[Got the Bug]

SPF also offers the splitter as option. The picture that Mooch posted looks like a shelf. I didn't think it extended all the way back to the radiator.

[Gunner]

I'd bet ERA's is real, real close to the original, and mine is about six inches wide.

[Clois Harlan]

One of the guys here in Tulsa has an original and his splitter is about 6" wide as well. His was the first I had seen and I thought maybe it was an add on but it was original to his 289 Cobra.

Clois

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

One of the guys here in Tulsa has an original and his splitter is about 6" wide as well. His was the first I had seen and I thought maybe it was an add on but it was original to his 289 Cobra.
Clois

289? I've never seen a street 289 with other than the eggcrate grill, and the FIAs had nothing in the opening.

[Excaliber]

I've got one on my ERA as well. They're not flat, Mooch's picture sure looks that way though. That have a nice curve to them, or maybe it's a slight angle mount, I forget now. I've had mine off then back on several times over the years trying to decide if I like the car with or without. It's a toss up.

[cobrajeff]

Standard equipment on an original 427 street car. No such device on a 289, unless you might have seen it on an "AC289 Sports" (UK version with 427 body/289 engine).

Jeff