Wheel well vents

[deathcomesarippin]

I was doing some research around the inter webs about venting the air out of the wheel wells. I found a chart that showed the amounts of pressure in the well while driving, of course, the top and the top rear were the highest. But I was wondering if anybody has done this? Cut out vents to let up on some drag, and stop the effect of the vehicle rising a bit with that built up pressure.

I though about experimenting with it, maybe looking around in the wells and fenders.. but until I get more research done, I don't want to start cutting into my fenders.

[Patrick]

Where are you proposing to cut? If its in the fender you better make sure there's nothing behind there (like wiring, a car alarm, etc.), and I think your car will get dirty pretty fast.

[deathcomesarippin]

I dont know exactly if im going to cut into the fender or not. I do know where my fenders are empty, there is not to much in/behind them. and If I do make the cuts I would run a tubing to help with flow and so all the dirt dosent get up in the fenders. I was just thinking this might be a good idea, even a one that could be done. I do have functional rear brake scoops.. so why not have something that lets air out too?

[bryson]

Interesting idea -- I've given some thought to doing something kind of similar. Ducting from the front of the car to what I assume would be a low pressure area just behind the opening of the front fender, to kind of help keep the airflow going out and around the tire some. It may also help alleviate that high-pressure area at the top rear of the arch.

[deathcomesarippin]

Yeah, I was looking at some race cars, I mean they are hitting 100+ more than we are. but I have even seen it on Formula D cars, and the local drift cars as well. So I was thinking it can help out on "low speed cars" I would think the pressure builds up good under highway/interstate speeds, and possibly even slower. I think it would benefit in two ways aerodynamically. It could help buy not lifting the car a meter or two and the drag with the air rolling around in the wheel wells.

also I though maybe some way you could duct the air into the engine bay for some cooler air? I already have hood vents.. dunno just thinking to much haha.

[freebeard]

It could help buy [sic] not lifting the car a meter or two

Metric is not my first language, but it sounds like you might want to get on that.

Here're a few examples:




Tons more at:
https://www.google.com/search?q=fender+vents

[deathcomesarippin]

ha yeah right a meter, I didn't even catch that I was meaning centimeters or inches, ill have to add in my signature, im not the best with writing. I have bad dyslexia and it hurts my grammar and words.

Yes in those picture you posted is what im talking about. I have a 95 mustang. Ill get some pictures up soon of where I was think about adding vents, but I was either going to go for the top of the fender or the back of the wheel well and run a short hose and vent them out the side of the fender. I would think the top has more pressure but wouldn't it roll towards the back?

[2000neon]

The first example that comes to mind was the 1970 Dodge Charger Daytona/ Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird. The street cars had fake ducts, but the real race cars (and apparently some early street versions) had real, rear facing vents on top of the fender which vented high pressure air out from the top of the tire. Supposedly from what I understand is that they decreased lift and helped with high speed (200 mph) stability.

Also, there must be something to having a smooth, clean exit from the wheel wells in terms of fuel economy, look at the first gen Honda Insights. MetroMPG just recently posted some video of a tuft test he did in that area which shows clean flow out of the wheelwell, which drastically reduced turbulence along the edge of the car.

I suppose you could also use an air vent to aid as an exit for ducted air through the radiator. That way you don't have the issue of creating turbulence by venting that air into an area of attached flow, since the area within the wheelwells is already so turbulent.

[deathcomesarippin]

I could possibly fab up some vents, or see what I could find at a hardware store. most of the ones made for cars are cheap crappy stick ons. I do know what the ones look like that dodge made. If its not to complicated ( I don't want to pull the whole fender off) I have enough room on the top of the front fender to stick a small scoop like dodge did on the fender.

I would just have to do more research because it might be better to vent from the back of the well, out to the side of the fender. I wont be driving fast enough to worry about it picking the car up I guess.

[2000neon]

Let me do a little searching, I may have a cool vent idea for you. A guy from one of my other forums (Chevelle-El Camino forum) built some cool, functional fender vents on his car. They looked clean, sporty and his vented underhood heat, but it could be easily relocated/ ducted to vent high pressure air. They could look pretty sweet, but require some cutting and bodywork.