818 Trunk Kit

[billjr212]

As I'm sure some saw in Dave's update, the trunk kit is now available. I was very excited to see this, but a few questions popped up right away.

Here is the post from Dave:
"NEW 818S TRUNK STORAGE

40420

Looking for some cargo space in your 818 kit? This trunk package will give you the extra storage space that you have been looking for. The new soft top fits inside!

Mounted at the rear of the car above the transaxle, this kit includes a 3 piece fiberglass surround that is easy to install in partially or fully completed 818S and 818R models. Package includes hardware and instructions for installation."

3 questions (maybe someone from FFR can chime in):
1. Looks like the vent in the trunk lid will now allow rain to pour directly in the trunk - any workaround in development?
2. In line with #1, the vent is now cut off from the I/C - any plan to add maybe a removable duct into the top of the trunk and cut out the front of the trunk to allow airflow?
3. The picture makes it appear the trunk lip is attached to the lip of the engine cover. This would make removing the engine cover for a simple oil check a major task. Is this the case?

Thanks! I'm excited for the trunk and hope to be one of the first customers, but need to be sure I wouldn't be better off investing time/energy in a bunch of aluminum sheet and engineering one myself!

[flynntuna]

What looks like the engine cover attached to the trunk, I think is rather a trim piece of fiberglass that sits under the cover and is connected to the back wall of the trunk.

[Jim Schenck]

Bill,

The trunk kits come with a block-off plate to seal the rear deck-lid vent. Trying to leave that open would limit both trunk space and the function of the duct so we decided that was the best solution. With the trunk in place the main rear duct under the license plate is still open and that is where most of the airflow will go, especially with the rear spoiler on the car. We are also looking into other ways to vent the rear taillight panel for cars that need extra flow through the intercooler.

The front of the trunk is attached to the engine cover with a few bolts and riv-nuts, it is a little more involved to remove but not more than an extra minute or so to unscrew. The front can also be supported to the rear shock tower cross brace if you did not want to bolt to the engine cover.

[billjr212]

Jim - thanks so much for the fast response. Interesting point re: the impact of the rear spoiler and airflow from that vent.

I'm going to look at it fresh again over the weekend and may be ordering in the near future (right on the edge of ordering the soft top as well, but if they ship from different places I'm assuming ordering both at the same time saves me nothing on shipping??)

[Jim Schenck]

That is correct, the soft tops are drop shipped right from the manufacturer. In that case bundling an order doesn't help with shipping.

[freds]

[QUOTE=Jim Schenck;194754]Bill,
With the trunk in place the main rear duct under the license plate is still open and that is where most of the airflow will go, especially with the rear spoiler on the car. We are also looking into other ways to vent the rear taillight panel for cars that need extra flow through the intercooler.

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