DeTomaso Mailing List: December 99, Message #302

I think the windows are beautiful and should be left alone(sorry Mr.
Ryke).
If more air to the carb is desired,simply grab the cleanest air which is
that flowing in the center of the car over the roof.I invision a sugar
scoop spoiler finally being used effectively with a low profile scoop
built into the middle,cramming 60+mph air flow into a venturi effect
cowling with a rubber seal/rubber seal connection to a sealed air
box,still retaining the stock grill in between the seals if desired.A
bypass butterfly valve and secondary intake beneath the scoop would
prevent moisture entering in wet conditions,control intake ,controlled
via remote switch.
Kinda like the Miss Budwieser intake cowling or the "hound from hell"
design only with a subtle low profile to match the natural contour of
the original design.
Hopefully more airflow psi would also help at higher altitude cruising.
I base these views on the stick my hand above my head in the convertible
at 80mph test.
Actual results may vary.
Just leave those side profile lines alone!
As far as fresh air induction,all those race cars I've seen can't be all
wrong.And most side scoops seem to be for brake or radiator cooling
anyway,heat dissipation being the primary goal whether it be by positive
or negative airflow.
Albeit the mid-engine design and using the quarter windows as air
intakes seems natural on a Pantera,for some reason as a result of the
body lines,it just isn't that effective unless you use mickey ears and
ruins the original lines,if that matters.
It sounds like the voice of experience tells us no big gain can result
from side scoops that are currently available.
Good with fiberglass or carbon fiber? Be original! Has anybody seen a
good looking center mounted scoop done on a Pantera? Vendors?
If stock air just isn't good enough,seems like the best design to me
until wind tunnel test or Mike's "tuft"test studies are conclusive.Done
right,I think it would look great and be functional.
But then again that's just my dumb as nails opinion and best guessin',
 
Engineers care to comment?

Knowledge is power,but immagination is greater than knowledge...
Matt"no data"Wells


Tony DiGiovanna wrote:
> 
> Alan Teed wrote:
> >It seems to me that if the ears were to be of any value they would in any
> >event need to be ducted, and if they were ducted, say to the air cleaner,
> >there would be no opposing force for the air to overcome (from the engine
> >bay direction) and it seems to me that air would just leap into the ears.
> >What do i know?  Nothing, and have never tried this but am interested in
> the
> >answer to the question.
> >
> >Anyone else want to have a crack at it?
> 
> I will:
> 
> If at speed, the air pressure in the engine bay is higher than the pressure
> at the window opening (tufts blowing out condition) then you may just be
> better off with the engine air intake positioned in the engine bay instead
> of ducted to the window position.  However, consider this additional input.
> 
> The tuft test that was suggested may not tell the whole story.  There may be
> a very different result between the tuft test performed with just the window
> removed and the tuft test performed with an ear/scoop installed:  By
> removing the window alone, one is creating an opening that is essentially
> parallel to the air stream (basically a static-pressure port or venturi)
> The pressure is likely to be lower outside because the air outside is
> rushing by faster than the air in the engine bay is.  However, if you
> install an ear/scoop it will provide an opening that is essentially
> perpendicular to the on-coming air stream (a total-pressure port).   Even a
> small ear may (I said may) reach out into the high-speed air stream and
> "collect it" (it has been suggested it won't reach).  If so, the ear then is
> using the momentum in the air stream to generate added pressure
> approximately proportional to speed-squared.  This pressure will easily be
> higher than the pressure in the engine bay.  You have likely modeled this
> yourself by sticking your hand out the front of an open car window while
> cruising.
> 
> Besides trying to ram the air in to the engine, it will be cooler which also
> helps.  However, before you go running off spending money and effort,
> according to believable data published by engine builder David Vizard,
> ram-air treatments have only been good for around 1% HP improvement at 100
> MPH.  0.5% at 60 MPH.  and 30 deg F cooler intake air can give you 3%
> improvement.  Not worth it unless you're a serious competitor.
> 
> I hope that was clear.  If not, let me know.