UnderBonnet Cooling

photn · 16-03-2011, 05:39 AM

Well - Now that i have had the car back for a little while and im getting used to it and how it drives/makes power.

I have noticed alot of underbonnet temperature - which i would like to cool down.

Now ive come up with an ingenious idea on how to get a good amount of air into the engine bay without adding a scoop, but i need to find a way to get the air out of the engine bay.

Your suggestions, and any pictures would be appreciated.

I am going to heat wrap the exhaust manifold to ensure that the heat from that does not contribute - but need to find a way to get the heat caused/created by the SC has somewhere to go.

melbzetec · 16-03-2011, 07:01 AM

Sean, one simple one I've heard of, is to remove the rubber strip along the bulkhead at the back of the engine bay.....where the back edge of the bonnet sits if that makes sense. By removing this seal, it allows the air to flow out.

You can also get little blocks that raise the rear of the bonnet....but it looks stupid if you ask me.

Also, check out Autospeed newsletter. I'm sure he's done some articles on this

photn · 16-03-2011, 07:32 AM

Autospeed?

Do you have a link Steve?

I may look into removing that rubber seal and see how i go. What is its main function anyway?

melbzetec · 16-03-2011, 03:44 PM

http://www.autospeed.com.au/

A great newsletter on all things automotive/modification

I think the purpose is probably to weather seal the engine bay. I know a lot of the guys in the states remove it to get more airflow out of the engine bay

Twinpiston · 16-03-2011, 06:58 PM

Bonnet spacers is the next best idea after removing the rubber strip, it is a big fad in the Uk to do this! Although, it sort of looks like your bonnet is open.

photn · 16-03-2011, 07:48 PM

My only concern with removing the rubber strip is that the hot air will vent into the air con ducts and i would have terribly hot air when its mean to be cool.

photn · 16-03-2011, 08:31 PM

Hahah - Well,

Just got some Inspiration from the Ford GT.

I was looking at my desktop images, saw the GT and a thought crossed my mind, The car wouldnt look that bad if i cut the same type of design onto the bonnet, add a little silver mesh make sure its painted the same color - vuala!

Im talking like 5-10cm (not even) long and the Girth would only be between the water springlers.

They start from under the bonnet then rise level with the rest of it, that way moving the air out.

Neale · 16-03-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

My only concern with removing the rubber strip is that the hot air will vent into the air con ducts and i would have terribly hot air when its mean to be cool.

true this would happen, but lifting the rear of the bonnet is an old hotrodding trick used by the old racing cars in the 60's & 70's

see this pics of the mustangs & note the bonnet raised at the back

photn · 16-03-2011, 08:49 PM

Thanks neale,

They look really good.

had a further look at mustangs, Found a great idea, Might get some one to make them up.

Just need one made up on a much smaller scale to fit right at the back of the bonnet. maybee in gun metal grey to match the wheels - otherwise in silver to blend in.

Fast Eddie · 17-03-2011, 04:21 PM

There was a period when the Mk1 Focus WRC was running two "top to bottom" type vents up near the top of the bonnet. They could work perhaps.

melbzetec · 17-03-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

Thanks neale,

They look really good.

had a further look at mustangs, Found a great idea, Might get some one to make them up.

Just need one made up on a much smaller scale to fit right at the back of the bonnet. maybee in gun metal grey to match the wheels - otherwise in silver to blend in.

Sean, you might find that the Mustang bonnet is not much wider than the focus bonnet. This actual part might fit

melbzetec · 17-03-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

Sean, one simple one I've heard of, is to remove the rubber strip along the bulkhead at the back of the engine bay.....where the back edge of the bonnet sits if that makes sense. By removing this seal, it allows the air to flow out.

You can also get little blocks that raise the rear of the bonnet....but it looks stupid if you ask me.

Also, check out Autospeed newsletter. I'm sure he's done some articles on this

http://www.autospecialists.co.uk/Foc...oduct-416.html

melbzetec · 17-03-2011, 06:09 PM

Also worth reading this Sean

http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_2162/article.html

(This is article 3 that talks directly about bonnet vents. Will make more sense when you read article 1 and 2 about under bonnet pressures)

**DJM83** · 17-03-2011, 06:36 PM

RS Vents

photn · 18-03-2011, 03:18 AM

Thanks for the post's steve.

Much appreciated. Will let you know how i go.

Thanks DJM - have thought about them, just unsure if theyll look okay.

**DJM83** · 18-03-2011, 09:21 AM

Time to get photoshopping.

Zxdan · 18-03-2011, 10:45 AM

In the 80's I owned an Opel Kadett\Astra GTE that had bonnet vents. They sat flush with the bonnet facing backwards. I think that that style of vent looks good. Nicely understated. The part is still available.
Here is a pic of the car with the vents

& here is a close up of the vent

photn · 18-03-2011, 03:31 PM

Thanks ZXdan - they look really good.

where are they available from?

photn · 18-03-2011, 04:04 PM

Focus RS Vents on mk1 focus

http://passionford.com/forum/restora...ersion-18.html

melbzetec · 18-03-2011, 06:33 PM

Big Will is a Legend!

photn · 18-03-2011, 07:01 PM

hahah is that Will Pedley steve?

what did you think about the Focus RS bonnet vents on the LR bonnet?

**DJM83** · 18-03-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

Focus RS Vents on mk1 focus

http://passionford.com/forum/restora...ersion-18.html

They dont look wide enough for RS vents

Fast Eddie · 19-03-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote: "They don't look wide enough for RS vents"

Either way, that'd be my choice.

Riksta · 19-03-2011, 06:11 PM

Some sort of vent with 12mm computer fans underneath to blow the hot air out!

On a serious note, maybe even some of those vents just behind the front wheel arch that some cars have? Might get a bit of heat out.

I was just thinking today (I was bored) of some whiz bang system with a bonnet scoop to scoop air in and all little "directors" under the hood directing the air over the engine & vitals and then through a set of vents behind the wheel arch. My brain gets way too imaginitive for its own good sometimes.

**DJM83** · 19-03-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie

Quote: "They don't look wide enough for RS vents"

Either way, that'd be my choice.

Me too but the pic posted the vents dont look wide enough

photn · 20-03-2011, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

Some sort of vent with 12mm computer fans underneath to blow the hot air out!

On a serious note, maybe even some of those vents just behind the front wheel arch that some cars have? Might get a bit of heat out.

I was just thinking today (I was bored) of some whiz bang system with a bonnet scoop to scoop air in and all little "directors" under the hood directing the air over the engine & vitals and then through a set of vents behind the wheel arch. My brain gets way too imaginitive for its own good sometimes.

Hahaha - well i was bored as well and came up with a design to have electronically controlled vents on the bonnet. A set of Focus RS styled Vents that open up when the temp under the hood reaches a certain degree's. But then i returned to reality......

On the serious note - dont think i can do the side vents, got water tank in side panel.

melbzetec · 20-03-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

hahah is that Will Pedley steve?

what did you think about the Focus RS bonnet vents on the LR bonnet?

Yep Will Pedley. Have been watching his various builds for a couple of years.

I think the RS vents would work...at least keeps it in the Ford Family. I also like the look of the nasa style ducts suggested by Zxdan.

Here's what I would do

1. Buy a cheap multimeter. They usually have a temperature probe feature that would allow you to run the probe under the bonnet and measure what you're current underbonnet temperatures are. Best to see what the extent of the problem is first up.
2. Then I'd make the mods that are reversible. Wrap the header...then measure the temperature difference with the multimeter. Remove the rubber strip (it can go back on if you don't like it) measure the temperature difference, and see how the in cabin air goes. Buy the bonnet raiser blocks, then measure the temperature difference. Again, you can remove any of these mods if you don't like them, or they don't work etc.
3. If you still have a problem, only then cut holes in your bonnet for vents. Not a particularly reversible mod (!), so thats why I'd try other things first.

Buy measuring with a multimeter, you can accurately measure what's happening and make informed decisions.

Just a suggestion.

ps Are you using "one step colder" plugs?
http://focus.c-f-m.com/motorcraftcop...rousboost.aspx
Won't help underbonnet temps, but will help get heat out of the engine.

photn · 20-03-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

Yep Will Pedley. Have been watching his various builds for a couple of years.

I think the RS vents would work...at least keeps it in the Ford Family. I also like the look of the nasa style ducts suggested by Zxdan.

Here's what I would do

1. Buy a cheap multimeter. They usually have a temperature probe feature that would allow you to run the probe under the bonnet and measure what you're current underbonnet temperatures are. Best to see what the extent of the problem is first up.
2. Then I'd make the mods that are reversible. Wrap the header...then measure the temperature difference with the multimeter. Remove the rubber strip (it can go back on if you don't like it) measure the temperature difference, and see how the in cabin air goes. Buy the bonnet raiser blocks, then measure the temperature difference. Again, you can remove any of these mods if you don't like them, or they don't work etc.
3. If you still have a problem, only then cut holes in your bonnet for vents. Not a particularly reversible mod (!), so thats why I'd try other things first.

Buy measuring with a multimeter, you can accurately measure what's happening and make informed decisions.

Just a suggestion.

ps Are you using "one step colder" plugs?
http://focus.c-f-m.com/motorcraftcop...rousboost.aspx
Won't help underbonnet temps, but will help get heat out of the engine.

Steve - Your a voice of wisdom thats for sure.

Kudos to you.

Many thanks for the information, will definately get that multimeter and do exactly as you suggested.

Im hopping that with the wrapped exhaust and the rubber seal removed it should be alot cooler.

Neale · 21-03-2011, 11:14 PM

Ive been thinking about this one. heat will probably mainly be a problem when the car is stationary, so vents will probably do little in this situation. maybe fans like suggested before may be the best option if cooling is really an issue

Neale · 21-03-2011, 11:21 PM

I also found this in an artical about the mk1 RS focus & how they kept it cool

Ford dedicated a lot of work to increase the durability of the Focus RS, for example the Turbocharger was water cooled (with electric water pump) to increase performance and durability. A high performance water pump was added to the engine that provides 50% additional flow and a high performance oil cooler. Underbonnet temperatures were controlled through the installation of copius amounts of heat shielding, the engine bay cooling fans were configured so that they remained on for a controlled period when the engine was shutdown thus increasing longevity.