CanAm's Don't Need Heaters!!
Discussion
Was 96' here today in the Colonies. The cockpit of the CanAm had to be 140', more if the sun was directly on you.
My wife likes it because it's better than a sauna. I said to her that we'll be able to drive this thing in the middle of winter..........in shorts!!
As stated before by others, half of the heat coming in is coming from the air intake. I thought with my bell housing for the EFI air intake blocking up most of the opening, that would not be a problem, but the heat is being sucked out at a high volume, and surrounding the passengers with a lot of hot air.
We're going to experiment with some baffles mounted on top of the winscreen to force some cool air into the cockpit.
Any other ideas?
The good news is the engine never got over 184'F. at a steady 70 mph.
The bad news is I could have saved some money and weight by not installing the heater.
Jack
My wife likes it because it's better than a sauna. I said to her that we'll be able to drive this thing in the middle of winter..........in shorts!!
As stated before by others, half of the heat coming in is coming from the air intake. I thought with my bell housing for the EFI air intake blocking up most of the opening, that would not be a problem, but the heat is being sucked out at a high volume, and surrounding the passengers with a lot of hot air.
We're going to experiment with some baffles mounted on top of the winscreen to force some cool air into the cockpit.
Any other ideas?
The good news is the engine never got over 184'F. at a steady 70 mph.
The bad news is I could have saved some money and weight by not installing the heater.
Jack
Jack,
Nice to see you enjoying the car!!
Would it be possible to duct air from the front wheel wells?
Would solve two problems at once (cockpit heat & build up of air inside the front wheel wells)
On the down side, depending on how it was done, may have problems with dust thrown up by the front tyres entering cockpit?
Just a thought
Andy
Nice to see you enjoying the car!!
Would it be possible to duct air from the front wheel wells?
Would solve two problems at once (cockpit heat & build up of air inside the front wheel wells)
On the down side, depending on how it was done, may have problems with dust thrown up by the front tyres entering cockpit?
Just a thought
Andy
I intend to duct fresh air from the small grills at the front either side of the radiator grill. Alternatively from the side skin of the radiator duct itself. In this location I suspect the air pressure will be even higher as the radiator will not pass as much air as the rad duct is able to capture.
In the case of the CanAm just breaking the vacuum in the footwell will be sufficient to stop the hot air dumping over your shoulders from the scoop.
Steve
In the case of the CanAm just breaking the vacuum in the footwell will be sufficient to stop the hot air dumping over your shoulders from the scoop.
Steve
I have found the most comfortable way to use the Canam is with the roof on but hanging over the roll bar, this prevents the heat from entering the cabin and reduces noise so much that I can listen to the stereo comfortably at 90mph.
Therefore I think that installing a perspex screen inside the hoop (only with full screen) would resolve your problem.
Fresh air ducts would also be usefull though, maybe a pair of the circular side vents al-la GTR?
Therefore I think that installing a perspex screen inside the hoop (only with full screen) would resolve your problem.
Fresh air ducts would also be usefull though, maybe a pair of the circular side vents al-la GTR?
Clive
I think in order to have an AC unit large enough to handle the amount of heat entering the open cockpit, you would need to carry it in a trailer.
We've thought about all the solutions mentioned above.
:Forcing air into the cockpit will help the inrush of hot air. A couple of NACA ducts should do it. Finding the correct location of them and installing without too much damage to the gel-coat is a problem.
:using the brake ducts is feasable, but not as easy as it appears it should be.
As I mentioned previously, an overhead (mounted to the windscreen) baffle might be the easiest solution.
While moving along I've put my hand into the airflow above the windcreen in a scoop fashion to force air downward, and a slight difference in temperature could be felt. We're going to try this by holding some formed sheet metal and see what the results are.
An other solution might be some small baffles mounted on the roll bar to deflect air one way or the other.
Will update my findings when I have them, but still open to suggestions.
Jack
I think in order to have an AC unit large enough to handle the amount of heat entering the open cockpit, you would need to carry it in a trailer.
We've thought about all the solutions mentioned above.
:Forcing air into the cockpit will help the inrush of hot air. A couple of NACA ducts should do it. Finding the correct location of them and installing without too much damage to the gel-coat is a problem.
:using the brake ducts is feasable, but not as easy as it appears it should be.
As I mentioned previously, an overhead (mounted to the windscreen) baffle might be the easiest solution.
While moving along I've put my hand into the airflow above the windcreen in a scoop fashion to force air downward, and a slight difference in temperature could be felt. We're going to try this by holding some formed sheet metal and see what the results are.
An other solution might be some small baffles mounted on the roll bar to deflect air one way or the other.
Will update my findings when I have them, but still open to suggestions.
Jack
Be aware that if you take air from the front of the car you will be in direct line with the exhausts of other road users. Whilst this won't be a problem when you're on the move you may find it provides a nice route up into the cockpit for the fumes. I have had the same issue with my TVR. It's surprising how much the fumes get into the cockpit via the ventilation system when you've got the roof off!
I would recommend purchasing a couple of compact blowers and installing those in the footwells (if there's room). Even if these aren't taking in fresh air it will at least move the air about which is probably what you need.
Has anyone actually tried to install extractor fans in the engine bay yet? I'm sure a couple of powerful fans that come on at low speed would help reduce the underbonnet temp' and may help stop the heat escaping through the inlet aperature into the cockpit.
I would recommend purchasing a couple of compact blowers and installing those in the footwells (if there's room). Even if these aren't taking in fresh air it will at least move the air about which is probably what you need.
Has anyone actually tried to install extractor fans in the engine bay yet? I'm sure a couple of powerful fans that come on at low speed would help reduce the underbonnet temp' and may help stop the heat escaping through the inlet aperature into the cockpit.
Be aware that if you take air from the front of the car you will be in direct line with the exhausts of other road users. Whilst this won't be a problem when you're on the move you may find it provides a nice route up into the cockpit for the fumes. I have had the same issue with my TVR. It's surprising how much the fumes get into the cockpit via the ventilation system when you've got the roof off!
I would recommend purchasing a couple of compact blowers and installing those in the footwells (if there's room). Even if these aren't taking in fresh air it will at least move the air about which is probably what you need.
Has anyone actually tried to install extractor fans in the engine bay yet? I'm sure a couple of powerful fans that come on at low speed would help reduce the underbonnet temp' and may help stop the heat escaping through the inlet aperature into the cockpit.
I would recommend purchasing a couple of compact blowers and installing those in the footwells (if there's room). Even if these aren't taking in fresh air it will at least move the air about which is probably what you need.
Has anyone actually tried to install extractor fans in the engine bay yet? I'm sure a couple of powerful fans that come on at low speed would help reduce the underbonnet temp' and may help stop the heat escaping through the inlet aperature into the cockpit.
Hi Just finishing a Canam. I was at the factory last week and it does appear they are aware of the problem and do block the air intake. I guess a problem if you need this for your engine intake. I already wish I had installed aircon (even in UK) after witnessing a couple of lads in a Canam at Le Mans. They were parboiled. Is there room to fit a small fan on the inside of the airintake just keep a flow of air away from the cockpit at rest.
I still think in UK will have more of a problem with rain rather than heat.
I still think in UK will have more of a problem with rain rather than heat.
Crazy....
No air goes in the scoop if you have the full sceen anyway, how do I know, because at 70mph my air filter gets so hot after 30miles in overcast conditions you can't touch it (never gets close to overheating though).
Brad is sucking air through it via a carb bell hence he can't block it, I'm getting my fresh air from some side vents so I could block the scoop, but I currently prefer the perspex in the roll bar option as it also reduces noise in the cockpit.
May try taping the duct up as a temporary test to see what difference it makes, I'll let you know....
Apart from a test drive a few years ago I have no experience of the fly screen so can't comment on what happens with this on.
Brad
I do recomend you try running the car with the hood over the roll bar to see if it suits your needs (if you havn't already), it works very well on my car.
No air goes in the scoop if you have the full sceen anyway, how do I know, because at 70mph my air filter gets so hot after 30miles in overcast conditions you can't touch it (never gets close to overheating though).
Brad is sucking air through it via a carb bell hence he can't block it, I'm getting my fresh air from some side vents so I could block the scoop, but I currently prefer the perspex in the roll bar option as it also reduces noise in the cockpit.
May try taping the duct up as a temporary test to see what difference it makes, I'll let you know....
Apart from a test drive a few years ago I have no experience of the fly screen so can't comment on what happens with this on.
Brad
I do recomend you try running the car with the hood over the roll bar to see if it suits your needs (if you havn't already), it works very well on my car.
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff