Fender Gills Made Functionable?
 

Anyone ever thought of trying to make the side gills of there 8's functionable? I was just wondering. Think it could be done? Or is it a bad idea?

Yes, in fact several people have done this. Do a search and you will see that what a lot of people do is just cut slits in the plastic under-cover in the fender well. That plastic is all that cuts those vents off from being functional. Somebody else I think chose to vent hot air from the engine bay through there somehow. Just so you know, there are some custom fiberglass fender vent replacements being made right now, so make sure to keep your eyese peeled for those!

the stock fender grilles can be functional if u just cut out some of the plastic off the wheel well. doesn't really need a new vent.

Thanks Zenmoused, but with me and my budget, i may have to go with the 'cutting', I appreciate the suggestions though :ylsuper: .

NgoRX8, got any tips on which tool would be best to use? I don't have a LOT of DIY experience, so any further suggestions or help would be much appreciated. If not here, then please PM me, but it'd be a useful thread of others wanna do this as well. Maybe?

How should I do this?

Oh I meant that the fiberglass vents were in addition, just to dress it up. Either way you would have to cut slits in the plastic. I did mine with an x-acto knife and cleaned them up with a dremel (and I still have the stock "gills").

Anyone got a thread or pics where this cutting thing came from? I'd do it if it helped air flow

Hmm...

I'm assuming it's easier to do with the fenders off the car? Or do you think it can be done with the wheel removed?

Can anyone post instructions on how they adapted these for engine bay venting??

What purpose would this serve? The hole to the engine bay that exits from the fender is an inch in diameter, your best bet it to enlarge that hole as well as cut the slits in the fender lining. abbid posted a picture of his car with the fender removed..

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...chmentid=84685

See that square that cut out, that vents to the engine bay. The restriction is on the side of the engine, not the outside.

I wouldn't see much of a purpose as an engine bay vent. I did it only to make the brake vents functional, as I really can't stand stuff that "looks performance" but doesn't do anything.

Thanks for the picture . . . worth a thousand words!

I didn't realize there was such a solid wall between the engine bay and the fender. Since it is structural, cutting is out of the question.

Making the vents functional sounds like a no-brainer, but then, if it's a no-brainer, why didn't Mazda do it? Especially if it would help cool the engine - that would be "free" extra cooling. I can't imagine it was to save money, so I'm guessing there's gotta be a reason why they're not functional. More noise? They won't make a difference??

Hmm…

I'm with you on this one. Seriously, if it served a purpose Mazda would have done it IMO. I won't bother until I see a definitive answer. When people say "I made it functional" with no proof all they are doing is cutting holes in plastic for fun.

The vent to the engine bay doesn't make any difference. Venting to the wheel well won't do anything either. There's a tire inbetween the vent and brakes, and air doesn't pass through tires very well.

I agree with your points, but then it begs the question- why on earth are there holes behind the vents? Why not just stick them on top of body panels?

bump?

Good point (been a while for this thread, even though it's made already?)

So then, there may be no point in it?



(BUMP)

a custom fab man told me NOT to enlarge those holes. it would interfer with the structual rigity of the car. seemed pausable.
olddragger

I may try and duct from the brake area if I can. I'm just waiting to get my new fiberglass vents before I start tearing them apart. I'd be interested in hearing more about what other people have done, since it's such a prominant feature on the car- it would be a shame for it to be non-functional.

You guys aren't thinking practical enough. Make those vents usable. Relocate the rear bracket that holds on the oil coolers. Make a fiberglass duct that goes from the back of the coolers, over the wheels, and out of the vents. Oil cooling would benefit from it. IF you can cool the oil better, you are cooling the engine.

im going to install an xbox 360 and use the vents to cool it.

^haha.

What Rotarygod said, I'd have to look at it to get a better idea of what he's talking about. Knowing he's prolly right, I don't have that image in my head.

anyone tried to port air from the side vents to the engine bay? that would make sense for sure

I say make them your nitrous purge spray ports. Not only will it look cool, but you can spray unsuspecting people. tssst tssssssst!