Miata modding
 

Hi,
I'm modding my Miata to achieve better fuel economy through aerodynamics. So far I've added vents to the hood to allow air to flow through the radiator and out the new vents.http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CnjI4DV5zc...0/CIMG0739.JPG

I've added a surround inside the grill so that air can only flow through the radiator and not arround it. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CnjI4DV5zc...0/CIMG0742.JPG Next I will be adding an under body tray and I'm also building a hard top that will give the car an over all smoother shape in the Kamm style.
Please check out my blog for updates and for all the details of measurments, results, and more pictures.
Miata Modder
thanks,
Bob

Good work. Looking forward to the hard top Kamm.

The miata fastbacks I have seen are really good looking. Do you have any renderings?

How did you add the vents? I am not sure how useful they are, can someone else chime in on the theory and its soundness here?

He cut and bent them

click for high res
CIMG0739.JPG (image)

I like those hood vents a lot.

Have you posted about them on miata.net?

Plate to seal top of radiator
Mazda Miata Parts & Accessories at MiataMania.com

winkosmosis -

That's pretty cool, ... , no, I mean hot. Should we be making those for our cars too?

CarloSW2

bobsiopener -

Welcome to EM! I'm sure others will say it doesn't matter, but would the engine get maybe too wet on rainy days? If I did your mod, I'd get some magnetic sheets to cover them in bad weather, but that's just me.

PS - Love that 1974 GTV. Gorgeous car

CarloSW2

Someone chiming in to say it doesn't matter. :)

I ran my Civic with no hood for the first 2 months that I had it. My Escort "went faster" with no hood on it. (Actually, the hood blew up and smashed the windshield, I replaced the windshield, and never put a new hood on... I told people it made the car faster to see how many people would actually believe it.)

This includes driving on rainy days, letting them sit in the rain, etc. No problems that I can remember. I also pressure wash under the hood without fussing too much about where the water goes.