"Wheel house" vents for exhaust heat

[xb-60]

Wheel house vents.... are they necessary? Do many CC members have these fitted? I'm concerned about heat, so if I do something, it's better I do it now.

The following pictures are the type I'm talking about.... ie behind the front wheels, and in front of the exhausts.

The first piv is from ERA's website; the second is, I think, a Hurricane.

Comments?


Cheers,
Glen

[patrickt]

Absolutely essential for optimal heat venting. When my fan kicks on at a stoplight, I can literally feel the heat billow out from the wheel wells even while sitting behind the wind screen. Aluminum heat shielding around the primaries adds to that effect as well.

[patrickt]

Here, just copy mine and you'll be fine. Note the heat shielding around the primaries.

[xb-60]

Thanks Patrick.
Do you have a picture of the heat shielding on the exhaust primaries?

Cheers,
Glen

[patrickt]

Note how the screen comes partially above the aluminum heat shielding around the primaries. This is intentional and increases the heat flow out of the engine compartment while facilitating the cooling of the primaries, which get quite hot. These shots are all on the driver's side, which is the side shown in my original post.

[ERA174]

Follow the link below for the primary pipe heat shields. This will give you an idea of what they look like. One panel attaches to the other to make an L shape. The L shaped heat shield is mounted upside down to the front of the foot box and back of the inner wheel well. I have no affiliation with the seller, nor can I comment on the pros or cons of this upgrade.
PhotoPost Classifieds - HEAT SHIELDS FOR ERA COBRA - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA174

Follow the link below for the primary pipe heat shields. This will give you an idea of what they look like. One panel attaches to the other to make an L shape. The L shaped heat shield is mounted upside down to the front of the foot box and back of the inner wheel well. I have no affiliation with the seller, nor can I comment on the pros or cons of this upgrade.
PhotoPost Classifieds - HEAT SHIELDS FOR ERA COBRA - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

That sale post is 12 years old, I bet he's dropped his price since then. Anyway, the passenger side shielding is a little different because the battery tray plays a role. Here's a pic of my passenger side with the wheel well screen venting removed and the battery removed as well. You can see the shielding behind the primaries. Considering the whole project is comprised of about $25 worth of sheet aluminum, and a few careful bends and cuts, you really can't go wrong doing it.

[Mongoose930]

Here are a few pictures of my set up.

[Mongoose930]

These are from CSX3020.

[RockBit]

I think the heat shields are particularly effective in keeping the foot box temps down, as they block the radiant heat from the primaries. Be sure to leave an air gap between the heat shield and the foot box.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RockBit

I think the heat shields are particularly effective in keeping the foot box temps down, as they block the radiant heat from the primaries. Be sure to leave an air gap between the heat shield and the foot box.

I agree with that, plus putting the insulation around your foot boxes and trimming the edges with aluminum stock gives a neater appearance and keeps it from peeling off. Here's a pic of mine at that stage of the process. Again, the insulation is just a few bucks and the aluminum trim pieces you probably have sitting around the garage.

[Grubby]

755 didn't have them when purchased. I thought they would help.

It looks like the vents should help. I suspect there is too much positive air pressure under the hood and no air enters the vents.

I installed ERA supplied vents and saw no difference after several road trips.

I don't plan to put them in the new build.

John

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Grubby

I installed ERA supplied vents and saw no difference after several road trips.

That's because they were installed upside down. A common mistake.

[cobrakiwi]

The first piv is from ERA's website; the second is, I think, a Hurricane.

Comments?


Cheers,
Glen[/quote]



Glen
The second picture is no Hurricane, that's Mr Brown's super sweet Hi-tech.

[DanEC]

I figured about all they were good for was to get the engine compartment that much dirtier from dust and road spray kicked up by the tires. But if you feel they help go for it.

[patrickt]

The reduced weight on the front end because of the use of mesh instead of solid aluminum made the car corner noticeably better too.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by cobrakiwi

...
Glen
The second picture is no Hurricane, that's Mr Brown's super sweet Hi-tech.

Ah....of course!

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by RockBit

I think the heat shields are particularly effective in keeping the foot box temps down, as they block the radiant heat from the primaries. Be sure to leave an air gap between the heat shield and the foot box.

My footboxes are covered with aluminised cloth insulation, then an air gap to the stainless steel panels that cover the footboxes and the firewall....but I'm seriously thinking of the vents and shields for the exhaust primaries.

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I figured about all they were good for was to get the engine compartment that much dirtier from dust and road spray kicked up by the tires. But if you feel they help go for it.

That's what I was wondering about, Dan.

Any comment on that Patrick?

[patrickt]

Even if they don't do anything, they look really really cool.