cooling the front brakes

[mcrews]

I follow the smooth disc on the front wheels thread.....here.....

Experiment: smooth wheel discs tested A-B-A - 4.6% mpg improvement @ 65 mph

........and one of the concerns is lack of air flowing over the front brakes and reducing the effecency of the brakes.

On the Infiniti Q45 forum I posted the following. I think that the method can be used on this forum also. Several models, Mustangs, BMW 3 & 5 Series have aftermarket kits that do the same thing. THese kits run $1-400 dollars.
I made mine for much less.

1. Need to have an opening in the lower grille that air can pass thru.



A munbered sequence:



2. Parts are available at any hardware store.

Here are the pics:

The plastic wheel well piece will need to be cut to accept a grill.
this is a picture of the passenger side wheel well looking at it from the tire.
the grille is already installed:




here is the part #5 at Home depot:
I cut it in half and used the ohter half on the driver side wheel well.
(painted flat black)
used glue, then tape to seal it.



Here is driver side. Grille #5 is hanging done so you can see #4 opening





This next part #4 is on the inside of the wheel well. The Screen part wedges into this part and provides so 'hold'




here is a pic of the inside with the part #4 installed:




Here is a picture of the inside of the lower front bumper. This is where the air is coming in.

driver side


passenger side


I found part#2 at the hardware store that fits almost perfectly:







Here is the part #2 installed. I used dry flex exhaust hose to attach the two pieces.



driver side


passenger side:


THere are different shapes and sizes in this stuff at the hardware store. I found stuff in drainage, and air conditioning.

[Tango Charlie]

I've been running pizza pan wheel covers (front and back) for several thousand miles, including a fully loaded trip through the Rocky Mtns. Never once experienced any brake fading.
Personally, I think the concerns regarding brake overheating with wheel covers are misplaced.

But your project shows ingenuity and MacGuyver-ness that I love!

[Joenavy85]

I'm thinking that setup may be overkill. But definitely proof of concept. I would go for something smaller, maybe 1 1/2" diameter. Would you be able to get a few pics from a little farther away? it's hard to get a good perspective of how everything is arranged (for me at least)

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Joenavy85

I'm thinking that setup may be overkill. But definitely proof of concept. I would go for something smaller, maybe 1 1/2" diameter. Would you be able to get a few pics from a little farther away? it's hard to get a good perspective of how everything is arranged (for me at least)

Give me a couple of days. It's all buttoned up.

And yes, the size is what it is because thaose were the parts that fit!
Most bumpers will not have opening that are that large.

Most of the 'aftermarket kits' that I referred to are not bigger than 2"
If I had the factory bumper, the openings are smaller and I would have used smaller parts that fit.

My goal was to NOT have to do too much fabrication.

[Joenavy85]

I had a feeling there was a reason for the size.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Tango Charlie

I've been running pizza pan wheel covers (front and back) for several thousand miles, including a fully loaded trip through the Rocky Mtns. Never once experienced any brake fading.
Personally, I think the concerns regarding brake overheating with wheel covers are misplaced.

But your project shows ingenuity and MacGuyver-ness that I love!

Terry, thanks for the comments.
On the 02-06 Infiniti Q45 forum, some guys complain that the brakes are crap. Given the V8, 340hp and 0-6 in 5.9, the temptation to go WOT is hard to resist for some.
In the 240,000 miles, I have yet to have any problem with the rotors warping or the brakes heating up.

But it was such a slick little project, especially after I found these rectangle ducts that fir perfictly!!!!

[Vekke]

Very nice install.

What goes for brake problems, you can kill almost any cars brakes on tarmac if you have the balls to floor it enough. On normal driver there will be no brake fading issues, even with smooth hubcaps on place.

My estimation is that those ducts will hurt your FE numbers :/. But they will definedly give mind peace on your brakes if you like to play around with your car sometimes on the track etc.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Vekke

Very nice install.
.My estimation is that those ducts will hurt your FE numbers :/. But they will definedly give mind peace on your brakes if you like to play around with your car sometimes on the track etc.

actually, I've had these lower ducts open for about the last yr. My current trip to texas (1500 miles) achieved 30.4mpg which was my best over a long trip.

skirts on the Beast....

the trade off would be sooooo smalll

[ECONORAM]

mcrews, I like it! Good work. I am looking to do the same thing so I don't have to worry about braking with a trailer in tow.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Joenavy85

Would you be able to get a few pics from a little farther away? it's hard to get a good perspective of how everything is arranged (for me at least)

Joenavy,
I number the sequence and parts and added a few pics.