My Air Splitter Design
Discussion
Hi all, just thought I would report on the experiment I have been carrying out on my design of Griff air splitter. What 'sparked' this off with me was that recently I have had my aged radiator recored and fitted new silicon hoses throughout, along with the rad out and back I decided to replace the 'chicken wire' mesh intake grille. Anyway, Friday before last (you may remember this as one of the few sunny Fridays of late), wife & I went out for the day in the Griff to Dedham. It was quite hot and I noticed the Griff ran hotter even when cruising at speed! So I pondered on the issue and realised 
the mesh I used, though more holes they were smaller and may have reduced the flow of air! Back with the chicken wire (12mm square holes), and yes ran cooler. Have now ordered some lovely 316 stainless steel mess=h (see picture of sample below). Any way, back to the splitter; whilst underneath thought I would measure up and design a splitter to try out.
My design is mounted at the back of the intake hole, utilising the three fixing holes for the grille, although I have also fixed it into place with panel bonding tape (we use this on our vehicles at work). It is made out of 2mm aluminium, brushed finished face. So find pics below:
1. Whole Splitter on bench
2. Edge Profile - 135 deg angle
3. Rounded edge profile
4. With edging strip and mounting tape fixed
5. Fitted to car
6. Sample of Stainless Steel Mesh
Have tried the car for a run down the A12 and she does appear to run appreciably cooler. Will see how she performs on the way to the Growl. If any one is interested in one of these have a look at the Growl and I could make a few 'kits' to easily fit.
All the best, Pete
the mesh I used, though more holes they were smaller and may have reduced the flow of air! Back with the chicken wire (12mm square holes), and yes ran cooler. Have now ordered some lovely 316 stainless steel mess=h (see picture of sample below). Any way, back to the splitter; whilst underneath thought I would measure up and design a splitter to try out.My design is mounted at the back of the intake hole, utilising the three fixing holes for the grille, although I have also fixed it into place with panel bonding tape (we use this on our vehicles at work). It is made out of 2mm aluminium, brushed finished face. So find pics below:
1. Whole Splitter on bench
2. Edge Profile - 135 deg angle
3. Rounded edge profile
4. With edging strip and mounting tape fixed
5. Fitted to car
6. Sample of Stainless Steel Mesh
Have tried the car for a run down the A12 and she does appear to run appreciably cooler. Will see how she performs on the way to the Growl. If any one is interested in one of these have a look at the Growl and I could make a few 'kits' to easily fit.
All the best, Pete
Russell Mc said:
Looks good but pretty much the same as an original one?
Hi Russell, Yes it does look pretty much the same as the original. I made it up from what I have seen. They are all pretty much the same, but as long as they do the job, that's what counts of course. It only protrudes down about 40mm so hopefully won't cause too much grief over bumps etc. The mounting positions given on various threads seem to vary, I have put mine at the point shown along the back edge of the intake, it looks good there and enables you to map use of the three mounting holes for the grille. time will tell! Pete
If it works anything like the originals (which it looks like it will) then your cooling will be increased as well as stability at motorway+ speeds. My precat didn't have a lip fitted when i bought it and by the looks of it had never had one. I bought one from Clever Trevor and fitted it exactly where you have put yours. There seemed to be so much variation of the correct position of the lip, but where I put it seemed to be the logical choice and works well.
EGB said:
speed bumps are the menace and will try to destroy this fine, very nice splitter. Anybody out there done one in reformable bashable plastic?
Hi EGB, when designing this one I did consider just making a piece of angled aluminium (25x20mm, 135 degrees) and then riveting on a piece of firm rubber or deformable plastic which I have access to. I will see how this ally one does for the summer and then look into designing a prototype deformable one. Pete
interesting project this one Peter. My brain is doing some mad/sad thinking since I am parked up in a hospital bed devouring morph pain killers galore and trying to work this useless bed tv/internet ripoff system. My 1999 griff doesent have a splitter but it would be useful for piece of mind in heavy hot traffic,to have one, yes, yes. My drug soaked, overfuelled flooded brain, still has some rpm at tickover and thinks a piano hinge system fixed to your tidy idea could work and also deal with those b....dy speed bumps. A stiffy little rusty piano hinge could be correctly repositioned after hitting a noisy speed bump?? methinks?? Enough for now. At least our iconic TVRs keep us thinking of healthy solutions. Before my op i could drive my griff easier than walking and jaw dropped surprised those folks at Shell garage when i pulled out my crutches from the boot. One BMW M5 guy gave me a smile and a hand clap. It only happens to a TVR. Enough, now for a power boost of Senna. Cheers all. ..............................................http://pistonheads.com/xforumshttp://pistonheads.com/xforums/imgs/11.gif/imgs/11.gif
Pete your fine splitter will still give you piece of mind when cruising at 70+ on hot days. The fans will not be overworked and the engine should be working in its gauge 90 degree comfort zone.
I have a fan over ride switch on mine to play with linked to a dash LED which tells me the fans are working when the otter swtch or my over ride switch is turned on. I use my over ride early when I antcipate traffic will be slowing up to a hot crawl. When I get out of this NHS hospital garage! I shall be getting back into my Griff with a vengance, crutches in the boot and all !
I have a fan over ride switch on mine to play with linked to a dash LED which tells me the fans are working when the otter swtch or my over ride switch is turned on. I use my over ride early when I antcipate traffic will be slowing up to a hot crawl. When I get out of this NHS hospital garage! I shall be getting back into my Griff with a vengance, crutches in the boot and all !
Edited by EGB on Thursday 7th June 14:55
Do these increase front end stability at high speed or are they mainly for air flow/cooling?
I now have the opposite problem from overheating. My car used to run at 95+ but a new rad, silicon hoses, stainless pipes and new OAT coolant with distilled water had caused this to reduce to running at 80-85. I have just managed to fit a new y piece and after a 20 mile drive (admittedly today isn't the hottest day) the temp sat at 70-75 and never got any higher. I think I may have to look at changing the thermostat for a hotter one - mine must be a low temp one.
If the splitter is to increase front end stability then I may be interested. If it is just for cooling then I definitely don't want to run any cooler.
I now have the opposite problem from overheating. My car used to run at 95+ but a new rad, silicon hoses, stainless pipes and new OAT coolant with distilled water had caused this to reduce to running at 80-85. I have just managed to fit a new y piece and after a 20 mile drive (admittedly today isn't the hottest day) the temp sat at 70-75 and never got any higher. I think I may have to look at changing the thermostat for a hotter one - mine must be a low temp one.
If the splitter is to increase front end stability then I may be interested. If it is just for cooling then I definitely don't want to run any cooler.
I now have the opposite problem from overheating. My car used to run at 95+ but a new rad, silicon hoses, stainless pipes and new OAT coolant with distilled water had caused this to reduce to running at 80-85. I have just managed to fit a new y piece and after a 20 mile drive (admittedly today isn't the hottest day) the temp sat at 70-75 and never got any higher. I think I may have to look at changing the thermostat for a hotter one - mine must be a low temp one.
Tim, You have no worries with engine temps. What is this OAT coolant. Do you use it with eth glycol antifreeze. Filling rad with distilled water is a new one on me!
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EGB said:
Tim, You have no worries with engine temps. What is this OAT coolant. Do you use it with eth glycol antifreeze. Filling rad with distilled water is a new one on me!
My worry is it is running too cold.OAT is just a more modern coolant - some people will tell you an old engine like the RV8 should not have OAT but you will find well respected TVR specialists that use OAT in the 12k services now.
I used this stuff:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
You can't mix it though with non OAT otherwise I think you end up with a nasty gel/sludge. If you switch make sure you flush the system a couple of times first with clean water.
As for the distilled water I thought it was generally recommend to use it. Halfords sell it as "battery top up water". I just wanted a clean system and thought it was a good idea given the crap in tap water.
It does seem to run cooler with this combo than before so if you have any overheating problems it might be a cheap/easy fix to try out.
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