Fender Gills Made Functionable?
#1
always filling [the c]up
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Alice, Texas
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?
#2
the stig is my hero
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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!
#4
always filling [the c]up
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Alice, Texas
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by NgoRX8
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.
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?
#5
the stig is my hero
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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").
#7
always filling [the c]up
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Alice, Texas
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by zenmoused
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").
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?
#9
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..
#10
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.
See that square that cut out, that vents to the engine bay. The restriction is on the side of the engine, not the outside.
#11
the stig is my hero
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#12
Registered
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.
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.
#13
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…
Hmm…
#14
Originally Posted by New Yorker
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…
Hmm…
#15
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.
#18
always filling [the c]up
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Alice, Texas
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Asmoran
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.
So then, there may be no point in it?
(BUMP)
#20
the stig is my hero
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Last edited by zenmoused; 12-04-2006 at 05:29 PM.
#21
Registered
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.
#23
always filling [the c]up
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Alice, Texas
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^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.
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jst4fun
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
18
04-17-2021 07:43 AM