Rear Trunk Louver, Input Wanted

[Mechie3]

I have a few ideas for the rear trunk louver. Was curious as to what design people prefer. These aren't complete as the geometry needed to make these bendable hasn't been sketched yet. I could do a simple straight across fin design, but have always tried to deviate from straight lines. IMO, it looks a little too 1980's/kit car-ish.

First design is a simple curve (note, the small end points towards the front of the car). I thought about having it sweep the other way but the corners of the large end made it a little odd.

http://i.imgur.com/voVR2jz.png

Second has a slight kink to it with a curved middle:
http://i.imgur.com/gwEX8nR.png

Third has the same kink, just accentuated.
http://i.imgur.com/gwEX8nR.png

My inspiration for the kinked design was the hatch of the Murcielago Superveloce.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Lamborghini_Murcielago_LP670-4_SuperVeloce.jpg/800px-Lamborghini_Murcielago_LP670-4_SuperVeloce.jpg

I could do something like the aventador, but I'm not sure it flows with the rest of the car as it's not very angular.

http://digitaldtour.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc_0827.jpg

[07FIREBLADE]

I like the third one the most then 2 then 1.

[matteo92065]

Are they laser cut or water jet?; Make all three. Try them all out this weekend.

[Frank818]

If your inspiration is a Lambo, then 3rd design got my vote.

[Mechie3]

Are they laser cut or water jet?; Make all three. Try them all out this weekend.

Final parts will be laser cut at a shop. Prototypes are cnc milled with a .062" end mill so its slow going.

[Ethan818]

Final parts will be laser cut at a shop. Prototypes are cnc milled with a .062" end mill so its slow going.

Options 3, then 2, then 1 is my order of preference.

[RM1SepEx]

I'm not planning on cutting that one out! :(

[apexanimal]

are we sure that air flows out of that location, not in?

[Mechie3]

My guess would be in. Air would be traveling fast over the top creating a low pressure zone. Add in the large amounts of air coming in through the side scoops and I imagine there to be a positive pressure inside vs outside. I don't know for sure.

[Ethan818]

My guess would be in.

I think you meant out? (meaning air flowing out of the engine compartment to fill the low pressure zone)

FFR own wind tunnel tests can provide some input. The smoke wand shows how the airflows up over the windshield. My guess is also that it should be out, but it probably depends on the how much air will flow out of the rear bumper vent vs the size of the intakes...

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/wind-tunnel-testing-the-new-factory-five-818/

[metros]

I like option number 1 the best solely because I think it'll have the most uniform look once the blades are bent. That's my only concern with using these is if there are waves in the fins then I don't think it'll look good.

[Mechie3]

I meant out.

[Canadian818]

Option 1, I think 3 looks better in 2D but imagining it in 3D it's just not right. Let me know whenever you want to proceed with the "other" vents.

[Mechie3]

Prototyping is a little delayed. The spindle drive on the machine I use at work for prototypes blew. Thankfully the company foots the $4500 bill for that one.

[Mechie3]

Remember this thread? Turns out my original template was off by a lot. Not sure what I did. I adjusted it and it matches the FFR trim ring perfectly. However, when I placed it on my trunk the angle between the sides and the radius at the small end doesn't match between the trim ring and the trunk itself. You can see the front of the paper is loose and the gaps around the dark pattern (the FFR ring) while the rear of the paper is wrinkled because it's too tight. Doh! That also means if you just use the FFR trim ring it's going to look funny with mismatches radii just like the hood rings were.

The horizontal lines are spaced out 1" apart starting with 6" from the front edge. I'm thinking of using the third line out as the rear of the vent. That makes it 8" long total. Factory is ~5.5", so 2.5" longer than stock but it also reclaims the .625" width for more area as well.

http://i.imgur.com/K0kVsGK.jpg

[C.Plavan]

I would buy one right now- I would want it the size of that whole paper template. You can't vent the rear too much. It is mind boggling hot!

[flynntuna]

That may be a good solution for the R, but for those who want a trunk, another solution may be better.
For instance, the engine cover could be modified. Something like the Porsche 918 engine cover. A lot of work for sure but doable.

[Mechie3]

Flynn, that was another idea. Remember the electric 818 with the clear cover? Take that section and make a matching vent.

[C.Plavan]

I ran hatchless at the track- the oil cooler still got too hot. Granted I need to box it in away from heat. Again, I really can't believe how hot the rear gets. I have never experienced anything like it.

[bbjones121]

Lower side rear bumper vents. Look how many mid engine exotics have them. There has to be some serious scavenging/suction to pull air down and around the sides of the engine.

[Mechie3]

Adjusted my CAD model. The angle of my trunk was 22deg, the trim ring was 23. The small end radius was something like 3.75" when the trunk radius was 3.25". The paper template fits the hood much much better now.

It's hard to see but the fins have a gentle curve that matches the curve of the rear of the deck lid.

Paper:
http://i.imgur.com/aFBUfaX.jpg

Metal (need to finish deburring):
http://i.imgur.com/hQsJcMI.jpg

[C.Plavan]

I'll buy one. When do you think you will be selling them?

Does anyone know for sure if the air enters, or exits? My mind thinks the air could possibly enter the engine area there if you have the rear vented well. I'm really not sure.

[Samiam1017]

I like the new design way better too. when will you be ready to sell these?

[freds]

I'll buy one. When do you think you will be selling them?

Does anyone know for sure if the air enters, or exits? My mind thinks the air could possibly enter the engine area there if you have the rear vented well. I'm really not sure.

Hi Chad, here is a quote from one of my previous posts:


"Observation: After driving my 818S with 2006 stock intercooler the grill in the rear deck lid is "very hot". The back grill behind the gearbox is not even "warm".

This leads me to believe that most of the intercooler air is exiting through the rear deck opening. And that the area above the rear deck is a lower pressure area than the rear grill under the license plate.....good for the IC efficiency No?

Anyone have any similar observations (or facts)?


Any detailed info would be welcome.

fred"

I am absolutely certain that hot air, and plenty of it, exits that top vent. At least with my setup of having almost totally isolated the air input side of the stock intercooler. That is...all the air that enters the two "over the wheel" inlets has to go through the intercooler....and cannot enter the general engine compartment in any other way. So my engine compartment air flow must be different to that on other cars without that mod. Check my previous post on what I did. It seems to be working well. I am not racing, but with some hard street driving, my engine compartment is not hot at all.

fred

[apexanimal]

i have a magnehelic gauge that i'd be willing to share with anyone close to me so we can do some pressure testing to see where would be most effective to:

-vent the engine bay
-draw air for intake
-find other areas of high/low pressure for inlet/venting purposes

[Frank818]

I like this.

[Mechie3]

Some updates:

Made two complete prototypes. One is going on my car, the other is headed to to Sunny California for some track testing on Chad's car. I machined a small brace today and notched the large panel as well. It's a tight fit but was easily tapped together with a mallet. Some welding or panel bonding will make sure it doesn't come out. The brace has minimal overlap with a low profile on the leading edge to minimize how visible the part is. It provides more than enough support for the very wide rear fins.

http://i.imgur.com/ABMrpjf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Pfkyd7W.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/W7yQgVW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NHAqSrT.jpg

[C.Plavan]

Looks great. I cant wait to cut more fiberglass. :)

[metros]

Looks good, looking forward to seeing it on one of your cars.

[Harley818]

looks great Mechie.
Can't wait to see it on Chads car.

[Mechie3]

Made an adjustment to the brace for easier assembly (had to use a mallet to tap mine together). Also added a little bit of flair. I'm still short my 37 pieces of flair

http://i.imgur.com/5dekudf.jpg

[C.Plavan]

Made an adjustment to the brace for easier assembly (had to use a mallet to tap mine together). Also added a little bit of flair. I'm still short my 37 pieces of flair

http://i.imgur.com/5dekudf.jpg

It also acts as a Sawzall blade in a pinch!
Very nice

[65 Cobra Dude]

Craig,

I'll take one. Need to open up that area.

Thanks,

Henry

[microsweper]

Mechie,

New design looks great, can we see some pics installed when you get a chance?

Going to place an order on your site for this and the new medium louvers soon... Any chance of some side louvers too??? I think they will all look pretty slick powder coated an accent color!

[Mechie3]

Side louvers as in the side scoops? Vraptorworks makes those. No installed pics yet. Busy getting my f500 ready for Sunday.
http://i.imgur.com/vunQbqu.jpg

[C.Plavan]

I recieved the larger rear vent. I'm liking it. It looks really good.


I chose to rivet it on and use trim. I drilled two extra holes in the middle of the the provided frame holes for a little more mid length support. Looks great, and like it was meant to be there. I bonded the mid support onto the louvers, and it was not much trouble at all.

Thanks Mechie!

I'm going to be doing a yarn tuft test this week sometime. I want some air direction questions answered. I'll add some yarn around it to see what the air is doing there.

http://i.imgur.com/pQEox5gl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BJhgvPgl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/P6pGpJel.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jPvQl9Ol.jpg

Sorry for the crappy pictures. I'll take some better ones outside this week.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Looks Great Chad.
Tie some yarn onto the rear grills also, I'd like to see what going on there also.
Bob

[Frank818]

Really good looking!

[Mechie3]

Thanks for doing the test fit chad! :)

[Mechie3]

Quotes arrived on my way to work this am.

Currently targeting $60/set. Includes the louver panel and the brace. If you buy any two sets of louvers (small hood, large hood, trunk), either at the same time or separately (just provide proof of purchase) you get $10 off.

I'll have a FS thread and product page on my website up shortly.

[apexanimal]

looking forward to wool tuft testing

[Mechie3]

Shop called and these are done. I won't be in town to pick them up until after memorial day though.

[metros]

I'm still in for a set. Would like to wait until the hinges are done and can be shipped together.

[Mechie3]

I've got these in hand now. $60 + shipping. Buy these with the front hood louvers and save $10 or get a free T-shirt. If you have previously ordered the hood louvers just show proof of purchase and get the same deal. PM or email me with your zip code for a shipping quote. Parts ship flat.