Ford Gt-style Hood On An Elio?

[Sethodine]

Does anybody think the aero on the Elio might be improved by a hood similar to the Ford GT? By this, I mean the air passing through the radiator exits out the top of the hood and over the windshield, rather than swirling around in the engine compartment and funneling out the bottom of the engine bay.

This would allow for installing a cover plate under the engine bay, to improve the aero (and this is the real aero improvement area, not so much the hood).

I'm not suggesting this as a factory change, but more of an aftermarket kit. It seems there might be enough room in the front to work something like this.

Thoughts?

 

[acamara]

Interesting concept.

Certainly looks unique and may function very well in the warmer weather of the Southern portions of the United States.

Wondering though if the Air flowing thru the Radiator which would be restricted somewhat by the Radiator and A/C Condensor fins may not cause a Venture effect by the Hood Venting which may actually suck up air from the bottom of the car bring with it dirt, grime and snow.

Wonder what would happen during a heavy snowfall. The Hood openings would certainly be filled with snow and if it was a wet snow, then froze over night, the modified hood opening might in fact get plugged up with Ice and become very heavy.

Just offering some thoughts on this modified Hood..

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

The most aerodynamically-efficient production cars do not have holes in their hoods. Holes in the hood are a compromise for high-horsepower cars that can't get enough cooling by venting under the car. So, I don't think it would help.

 

[Grumpy Cat]

Actually, those holes are for downforce. If you've ever looked down into that area, you'll see 2 fans, sucking air into the area, which at high speed, creates downforce on the front.

 

[Billll]

I did this on a Triumph I built with a 302 Ford V-8 inside. The air passes through the radiator and out the louvered vents on either side of the top of the hood but then runs laterally around the windscreen and alongside the car about 6-8 inches below the top edge of the doors.This probably improves the negative air pressure under the car and yes, does add to circulation under the hood. I know it helped my car run cooler.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Actually, those holes are for downforce. If you've ever looked down into that area, you'll see 2 fans, sucking air into the area, which at high speed, creates downforce on the front.

Um, no.

The fans keep air flowing through the radiators at low speed...

The fans required to actually create suction at high speed would look like aircraft ducted fans and require maybe 100 HP on their own.

 

[Grumpy Cat]

Um, no.

The fans keep air flowing through the radiators at low speed...

The fans required to actually create suction at high speed would look like aircraft ducted fans and require maybe 100 HP on their own.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081204210242AAlkvKU

http://www.miataturbo.net/race-prep-75/serious-cooling-ducts-hood-vents-think-gt40-now-pics-57909/

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Both of those links are random, anonymous people merely speculating.

There are actual engineering resources out there if you want to read up on aerodynamics.

See item #3 here: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/

McBeath's book is a good start: https://www.amazon.com/Competition-Car-Aerodynamics-New-3rd/dp/1845847768

 

[WilliamH]

I don't want to be disrespectful to anyone on this thread, but in reading many of the links that are referenced, it seems that people are missing the fact that the GT40 Ford is mid-engined.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Doesn't make a difference for the purpose of a vented hood. GT40 still has it's radiators in the nose.