Hi guys, this is Jacob from customCFshop.
I've noticed a lot of threads about how the RX-8 runs hot and how many of you are looking for a vented hood to help the engine bay breathe a little easier.

i'm no artist by any means, but here's an i dea i came up with and i wanted to get your input on it.

here's what we make now:



here's where we would place the vent:



the idea is the keep the same great look and to utilize the rotary symbol but make it a functional vent. we would cut the rotary symbol out, drop it about 1" in the front, and create an opening that reaches about 1/3 of the way down on each side of the rotary symbol.

i know other companies are developing more aggressive designs for vented hoods so this may not be for you if that's what you're looking for.

let me know what you guys think!
thanks,
Jacob

 

Interesting idea. Another thought is if the rotary symbol were RAISED above the level of the rest of the hood (maybe 1/2 inch... not much!) and the front were open as you show.

 

that could work too... but where would the air go?
i noticed under the rotary symbol is where the engine cover sits. is it better to extract hot air or induce cold air?

 

Good idea, bad implementation....

1 - That vent is too far back and is inside the high pressure area in front of the windshield. If any air does go thru it will be 'in, not 'out'.

2 - When the car slows, and the pressure dissipates, the air will come out, right into the cabin air inlet....and we all know how much the owners are going to appreciate THAT.
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doc

 

what if the vent wasn't opened to cover 1/3 of the rotary symbol? perhaps just about a foot on each side? that would be more towards the center of the hood and not the back.
same difference?

or what if we raised it like Omicron suggested? will cold air induction at that point going to help?

 

Personally, I am looking for one like this, someone posted.....

Bigger rear facing vents, off to the side, and tapering to the back.

Love it!
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doc

 

I second the Doctorr response!!!!!

 

I like this better just 3 on each side dont mind the quality of my paint shop skills

 

That probably wouldn't do much...

 

maybe two scoops or reverse cowls in front ( for those with intake / and will cool if w/o ) and two in the back. Sans the rotary symbol

It looks kind of too busy with all those vents in a row




Horrible MSPaint below

 

Or even a raised rotary accent that is a scoop and possibly fabricate something under the hood directing air onto the engine or around it ( possible cut or redesign the stock engine cover)
The newer celicas have a scoop and a metal "guide" under the hood to cool the header

 

The picture is one I had posted using Photoshop and the Scoot Style hood from an RX7 that was taken from Chuck's sight.

Aside from functionality, I believe this design complements the shape of the 8 best.

 

I agree with AlexCisneros!

 

so this design?

how about something similar, like a Top Secret design?

 

top secret

DROOL

 

If you're looking to cool the engine, I think two relativley small scoops along the edges of the rotary imprint would work nicely. IMO, it's somewhat important, asthetically, to keep the lines of the car intact. You could create a channel under the hood to direct air down towards the engine. They'd definitely have to be raised though, as any of you who've driven in the rain and have seen the water dance on your hood know there is some funky turbulence going on there.
As far as induction goes, you could just create a hood with the back edge of the rotary imprint having a greater curve.

 

That dancing water is the reason I'm afraid of hood scoops / vents. I already spend enough time trying to keep the outside clean. I don't want to be wiping down the entire engine bay every week to keep excess dirt from building up from rain water + road dirt.

But, seriously, someone has mentioned high / low pressure differences. Is there any way to test all that in the real world? As I've said before, I would like to see an engineered approach to this, not just a "this style looks cool". I like function a little better than form. Are there any science fanatics that want to see what they can come up with? Maybe one of these CF people could make a hood that was custom designed for the RX-8 to really cool off the engine bay.

Or, hell... if you get really bored, and want to figure out a way we could USE the excess heat that rotaries produce to do something good (is converting heat to electricity viable or just a pipe dream... some small turbines might create some electricity as air escapes from the engine bay). I think I'm just day dreaming...

 

Alexs' quick PS of the sc0ot design on a RX-8 would need to have the vents moved further back. As they are in his picture theyr'e directly over the battery and intake boxes.

The only vented hood for an 8 that I know of is the R-Magic one. the vents on that start about 1/4 of the way up the hood. though I dont find the design particularly appealing.

Moving the vents further bach on the scoot style hood by Alex would make them more functional.

 

agreed... Given the angle of the radiator I think (I'm nowhere near qualified to know) it would help to increase the flow rate through if the vents were further back. When I 'chopped it, I may have made the vents larger (I'm really no expert on PS). The vents would likely be were scoot has them on the RX7. It would still flow nicely with the car.

 

Ok, I have no life... and I still suck at photochopping.

The blue tape is where the airbox ends and probably the place that would make the most sense to begin venting (however not the most aesthetic)

If we move the vents back like on the original scoot hood it would look something like this:

 

and for the ricers...

we can leave the scoop that most likely does nothing other than swallow low flying birds

 

Just for the record, I still like my original Idea and if you have ever placed your hand on the airbox/battery/fuse box after a good run... I'm sure beginning the vents lower will not be a bad thing :D

 

Plus arent they sealed up pretty tight? At least the battery cover actually covers the complete top of the battery and everything else seems to be sealed up. I still like your original Idea.

 

Definitely not as appealing with the vents that far back Alex. I was thinking of them beginning about 1/3 of they way back then flanking the rotary indent. That would move them to a lower pressure area of the hood and should present a better compromise between looks and function. I also liked them big, it may have been a quick PS job but the porportions looked good.

 

Simplest thing I can think of is to tape little pieces of paper in each area of the hood and watch them as you drive at various speeds... both for the direction they they flip and how fast they flip around. Might look stupid, but it would at least give you an idea.