front license plate revisited, hood vent, PA Sevens

[Bonjo2]

I scored a really cool UK license plate for front. Just wondering how the Caterham and Westfield boys mount their plates. The Caterhams seem to be mounted nose-direct.

 

Also, anyone have a photo of the CSR and superlight nose vent shroud--under the nose. I was wondering if anything helps direct air north. Sitting in traffic I see the heat pouring out of my nose vent, but driving I do not think it's effective, even with the flap.

 

Thanks.

 

Anyone in Harrisburg PA area up for a ride?

[rx7locost]

Not a Caterham or Westy but this is how I did the plate mount on my Locost. I made a frame of .040 aluminum and bolted it in 4 places thru the fiberglass at the grill and under the nose. The aluminum has 1/4-20 threaded inserts located for the plate to bolt to. With the plate on, it looks very similar to the Caterham. So far, it has lasted 2-1/2 years and counting.

[scannon]

When I added the chin spoiler from Caterham I cut the mountains off the top of the license plate, bent the Colorado lettering back and pop riveted the plate to the spoiler. I think this would work with the Euro plate if you have the chin spoiler.

 

Several cops have looked at it and said no problem with what I have done. The ONABLAT is visible which is what concerns them. Down low on the spoiler the plate doesn't interfere with the air flow to the intercooler and radiator.

 

http://www.britishv8.org/Other/SkipCannon/SkipCannon-E.jpg

[Croc]

THe CSR chin spolier would look to be your best approach to mounting a front license plate like Skip has done:

 

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/October%202011/DSC_1989_edited-1.jpg

 

Another option would be to use slimline mounts like these:

 

http://skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml

 

 

As for the internal fairing inside the nose cone, I have never taken a photo of that and do not have the car handy at present to take a photo. Maybe search Blatchat for a posted link?

 

Personally, I think the radiator fairing idea makes the car cockpit hotter even if it is good for the engine temps. Certainly my car is the hottest seven I have even been in.

[Alaskossie]

Croc,

 

The general thought on the UK forums is that the nose vent and internal fairing on the CSR directs the air through the radiator quite well at speed, but that this results in the air behind it in the engine bay not being pressured to move anywhere, and becoming hotter and hotter.

 

Makes sense. This is probably why you Seven is the hottest one you've experienced.

 

I wish someone (Caterham or aftermarket) made a chin spoiler for the narrower Series 3 nose. I'm almost considering buying a SV/CSR chin spoiler, and seeing if I can section it to fit my S3.

[Croc]

Croc,

 

The general thought on the UK forums is that the nose vent and internal fairing on the CSR directs the air through the radiator quite well at speed, but that this results in the air behind it in the engine bay not being pressured to move anywhere, and becoming hotter and hotter.

Makes sense. This is probably why you Seven is the hottest one you've experienced.

 

I wish someone (Caterham or aftermarket) made a chin spoiler for the narrower Series 3 nose. I'm almost considering buying a SV/CSR chin spoiler, and seeing if I can section it to fit my S3.

 

Tom - I read blatchat extensively and know exactly the theories you refer to. I also think the air is blocked from under chassis ventilation by the full ali streamlining fairing which is intended to make it more aerodynamic. So the air gets trapped in the engine bay and the gearbox tunnel.

 

As for a chin spoiler for your new S3, have you seen the new nosecones that they sell on the R500? They are reprofiled to include a deeper profile with a vent - comes closer to an integrated chin spoiler concept. I saw one on Jeffs new R500 and thought it was an interesting hybrid to adding a chin.

[jimrankin]

There was a previous thread "looking for a quick alternative", I believe, that shows a mount I made to get by a "fix-it-ticket" from a very uptight Fremont CA cop who stated "if I had my way none of these kit cars would be on the street". 45 minutes of going over the car and all he could find was no front plate. I'll see if I can find the post.

[Mondo]

I bought one of those cheap manually folding license plate holders just in case

 

http://altecproducts.com/

[Bonjo2]

Thanks for the feedback. I love the chin spoilers.. I would love to have one for the stalker to cover the exposed frame below the nose.

 

I've some louvers from a previous project that I might add to the hood. Heat rises, and I've only a problem in traffic. I will also put a fiberglass panel in front of the motor to direct radiator heat out the hood vent. At speed I assume it goes out the open sides. The headers really baked my dinoc vinyl hood. Bubbles anyone. Maybe the louvers will help get the heat out. I've also added high flow cats, which get crazy hot and might need some shielding. Now over 1600lbs... Heavy, but works.

 

I've seen a 10 degree drop in traffic. Now pegged at 220 vs. 230 in stop and go, 20-30 minutes. Driving in open air 190.

 

I'll bend up some alu after the holiday for the the license plate mount. My new plate is "WICKED7" I might be able to tie it into a small front splitter. I've given up on the front wing. Since adding the rear diffuser, the car is pretty well balanced. Over 100, throttle off wiggle and oversteer gone. Not sure if it's the diffuser, or closing up the tranny tunnel at the engine bay or the new steering bushings. Too many changes. But, car is solid and confidence high.

 

Best regards,

A

[Bonjo2]

Spent a little time this afternoon with some offcuts from the rear diffuser.