Are those cooling vents on the sides of the front fenders functional, or are they just for show? I hope they are functional, as Mazda has rarely been one to scoop and cut a car with unnecessary additions.

Thanks

Take a look at an FD when you get the chance. From the factory, they are simply affectations (at least they were on the cars I've seen).

But, if that's the case, it shouldn't be too hard to make them functional without cutting into the body, or ruining the lines of the car.

---jps

Hey Sputnik,

Take a closer look at those vents the next time you see an FD. They are fully functional. If you remove the fender liner, you'll find a duct on the inside that takes air from the oil coolers and out those side vents.

Perhaps you only looked at the passenger side of a non-R1 vehicle? The R1's had oil coolers on both sides, so both side vents would be put to use. The non-R models only had one cooler on the drivers side, so that side is the only side that is used, but the ducting/functionality is still there on the passenger side...all you have to do is add the oil cooler to use it.

Originally posted by RedRotaryRocket
Hey Sputnik,

Take a closer look at those vents the next time you see an FD. They are fully functional. If you remove the fender liner, you'll find a duct on the inside that takes air from the oil coolers and out those side vents.

Perhaps you only looked at the passenger side of a non-R1 vehicle? The R1's had oil coolers on both sides, so both side vents would be put to use. The non-R models only had one cooler on the drivers side, so that side is the only side that is used, but the ducting/functionality is still there on the passenger side...all you have to do is add the oil cooler to use it.

Thank you! Nothing on the FD is for frills. The FD (especially the R1, like mine;) ) is a no compromise pure sports car.

Well that's good to know. This weekend I looked at the driver's side vent of a US Spec FD, and the owner informed me that they were not functional (mebbe he only looked at one side), which is why I posted what I posted.

---jps

On the RX-8, there are fully fuctional.:D

Sputnik,

That's cool...actually, as an owner myself, there was a time when I didn't know they were functional either...I had heard that they were functional, but when I looked around the vents, I couldn't see how any air could possibly get to them, so I decided they were not functional. Then one day, I had to take my fender liner out, and Whoa! there's ducting in here...cool....the vents are stealthy functional. :) You actually have to take out the fender liner to see the functionality.

Impress that FD owner by showing him that you know more about his car than he does :D

i thought the vents were venting from the fender as an aero tweek to cut drag (as seen on high dollar touring cars)...

so the vents on the FD came from the oil coolers, eh?? neato keen!! :D

but on the 8, would there be such killer oil cooling from the factory, considering the big differences in the engines?? i would suspect not, but what the hell do i know, right??

could they just be aero tweeks, or no??

Previous rotaries reportedly achieve as much as 30% of their cooling from the oil. With that much heat being shed through the oil, I would guess that the RX-8 will have a decent oil cooler set up from the factory as well.

"The engine itself has been redeveloped for greater power and reliability; it now features a side-intake, side-exhaust layout, with the exhaust ports moved to the side housing of the rotor chamber. This allows the size of the ports to be freely set, resulting in an expanded air-intake port area – 30% larger than in conventional rotary engines – greatly improving intake resistance and contributing to the high maximum output targets of 184kW (250PS)/8,500rpm and maximum torque of 216Nm (22.0kg-m)/7,500rpm even with natural aspiration."

Is it possible that this is what the vents are for?

Forbin,

Do you mean that the side vents are for engine air intake? If so, I doubt it. Vents in that location are typically under low pressure...good for venting (oil coolers, brakes, radiator, etc.) but bad for air intake.

If the design is at all similar to the FD RX-7, the air intake will be taken from the openings in the front bumper.

No, the "side-intake, side-exhaust" refers to the "side" of the rotor chamber in the engine itself, not the "side" of the car (if that's what you were referring to).

---jps

The Ford Mustang is the undisputed king of cheesy, crappy faux vents. The Dodge Stealth / Mitsu GT3000 combo made a play for the title a few years ago but the Ford Mustang held steadfast. I understand a new threat for the title will come in the form of GM’s reintroduction of the quasi-functional Shaker Hood. Lets see, air is accelerated & heated while traveling along the hood’s boundary layer & ingested just upstream of the windshield in a low pressure area; couldn’t make it worse if I tried.

If any of the RX-8’s vents are faux, we’ll know that Ford has commandeered Mazda’s design process. Next thing we know, the RX-8 will boast such features as: Comfort flex low rigidity body, Surround view snap over steer, Pavement saver wheel hop, etc, etc. etc. Bhahahaha!!!

Originally posted by RX7 Guy
I understand a new threat for the title will come in the form of GM’s reintroduction of the quasi-functional Shaker Hood. Lets see, air is accelerated & heated while traveling along the hood’s boundary layer & ingested just upstream of the windshield in a low pressure area; couldn’t make it worse if I tried.


Ford has already slapped a "shaker hood" on the new Mach 1 mustang (forward facing). But fyi, just upstream from the windshield is a high pressure area, the glass is more verticle and packs the air up a bit, it is no where near as efficient as near the front of the hood but can be beneficial in wet areas.

Are those holes under the headlights the brake cooling ducts?

I hope so!

Mike W.,

If the holes under the headlights serve the same purpose as they do in the FD RX-7, then they are for the oil cooler(s). The non-R1 RX-7's didn't come with brake ducts, but the R1's had an extra lip spoiler on the front that had brake duct openings.

This is a nice read about the FD's vents..but are the RX8 fender vents functional?
Do they duct hot air directly from the oil coolers?
from the engine bay?
help with high speed wheel~inner fender turbulences?
or are they just fakes?

The RX-8 fender vents are functional. I recall seeing a factory schematic somewhere on this Forum showing the air going through the oil coolers, over the wheels wells, and out of the vents. However, I can't find it at the moment. They are not engine air intakes or brake cooling vents; they are oil cooler vents.

I can't stand it anymore! I've been too embarrassed to ask, after seeing so many references! I've tried to glean the meaning from context, but no good.

What is FD?

FD3S is the chassis code for the 3rd generation RX-7, I believe FE3S is the 8's, though I am not sure they continued this naming style.

FB = 1st gen RX-7
FC = 2nd gen RX-7
FD = 3rd gen RX-7
FE = RX-8

just continuing on BlueEyes post.

I thought the code for the 8 was SE3P ...

I think you're right. I couldn't remember.

Thanks. I now understand FD. I guess I was afraid to be flamed as an idiot for asking. Sorry for underestimating you guys in the forum.

What does R1 or non-R1 refer to on a FD RX7?

The R1 was a 93 model, replaced by the R2 in 94,95. The were more performace orientated versions of the car.

IIRC the R1 came with a stiffer suspension, chin spoiler, rear spoiler, dual oil coolers, special cloth seats, strut tower brace. I think there is some stuff I am forgetting, it's been a while.

SE3P is official chassis code of RX-8, if you search 'SE3P' on the Web you'll find a whole bunch of RX-8 stuff from overseas.

however, your VIN (for US at least) starts with 'JM1FE...' so those that call the 8 'FE' are about 30% correct

.... thus continues the confusions over RX-8 code designation, lol

R1,R2's also had no sunroofs and cruise control

...another ancient thread rises from the grave

Good thing the topic isn't time dependent.

Good thing the topic isn't time dependent.
Which topic? The vents, what's FD stand for, SE3P chassis designation, or the R1?

Actually, all of the above have been covered before many times. ;)

Well? So what's the conclusion? (I'm too lazy to search) Are they engine/oil/brake coolers or just exterior dressing?

I repeat: The RX-8 fender vents are functional. I recall seeing a factory schematic somewhere on this Forum showing the air going through the oil coolers, over the wheels wells, and out of the vents. However, I can't find it at the moment. They are not engine air intakes or brake cooling vents; they are oil cooler vents.

Blue Eyes,

The R1 also had less sound insulation, no cruise control, could be had in Competition Yellow Mica, and came with more agressive tires.

...could be had in Competition Yellow Mica...Ahh yes, good old CYM! Back in '93, I had my heart set on that color, but the wife talked me out of it. So I settled for red. That was my one regret in getting the R1, should have gotten CYM.

The vents are functional only if the car is moving at least 15MPH. Its fun to watch the temp go down as you drive. Put a thermometer inside the hood and do some testing of your own. I think these vents are a good idea (reason why the C5 copied the RX7). If you had a vented hood, water from the rain/carwash can really wear the plastic engine cover on the car. Plus it's not a good idea to have any water near the relays, electrical cables, and etc. It will only make a mess inside.