Attacking the CanAm Heat Problem
Discussion
USCANAM said:
Been discussing the external vent pickup with some of my racing car builders, and so far the general consensus is while the brake duct is convenient to use as a pickup, it's also the dirtiest place to pick up air in regards to dirt and exhaust fumes.
Higher would be better.
Jack
Can't see any other location though for clean air on what is a very aerodynamic shape.
If the air entering around the steering column is hot, then the alloy panels between the battery compartment and the footwell must be hot and acting as a radiator into the footwell. If so this panel must be insulated. Whether or not air flow into the footwell is incorporated, this heat insulation must make a big difference.
I have not seen this mentioned before - sorry if I have missed it.
Not sure if this is the same issue for others, but we found that having the heater valve turned off was still allowing hot water to circulate back up through the heater core, not only keeping the AC from working properly, but also adding to the heat of the driver side cill. A couple of cut off valves, a few solenoids and no more heat through that avenue anyway. Also the solution of fresh air and some additional helicopter vents made a great difference.
Finally, the gold material "microfil" (I have to check the brand name) that are used on race cars to bounce heat are very helpful on the firewall and front of the footwell behind the radiator.
for what it's worth.
Finally, the gold material "microfil" (I have to check the brand name) that are used on race cars to bounce heat are very helpful on the firewall and front of the footwell behind the radiator.
for what it's worth.
Andy
We're still cooking along(no pun intended). The small
windscreen helps, but there's still a little heat from the engine entering the cockpit, along with a fair amount of heat coming into the cockpit up front. Will worry about it when the car's off the road for the Winter, when we'll try a few things.
Jack
We're still cooking along(no pun intended). The small
windscreen helps, but there's still a little heat from the engine entering the cockpit, along with a fair amount of heat coming into the cockpit up front. Will worry about it when the car's off the road for the Winter, when we'll try a few things.
Jack
Not sure if this is common to all ultimas but we have used the brake cooling ducts to channel air to the cabin - seems to work very well if you forgive the odd supersonic fly making a surprise entrance...
Also, have diconnected the heater hose from cooling system - it is looped around the front of the bulkhead as a seperate circuit and can be filled or drained as required. The heat from the engine bay keeps the pipe warm in Winter.
Cheers,
Dave
Also, have diconnected the heater hose from cooling system - it is looped around the front of the bulkhead as a seperate circuit and can be filled or drained as required. The heat from the engine bay keeps the pipe warm in Winter.
Cheers,
Dave
pashby said:
Ultiman has just confirmed a feeling I have had for some time now. I cannot see why enclosed Ultimas don't experience problems as well. Ok, not from the rear opening of the Canam flooding the cockpit with hot air but like the Canam they have have no fresh air feed into the cockpit at foot level. Aircon when fitted cools air already in the cockpit but no fresh air gets into the footwell.
Question, don't GTR drivers suffer from stuffy air?
Same solution works would work on all Ultimas. I will certainly expect good outside air at foot level aircon or no aircon.
I think that the front ducts will provide plenty of fresh air into the footwell as well as allowing the duct to be redirected to cool brakes for track use. Street or road use would not require brake cooling under normal use I would think.
Ultiman, where did you feed the duct into the footwell? I dont know whether you have aircon.
Pashby
A reply at last, better late than never! The feed is to the glass fibre area at the centre of the car but above the chassis cross member above the feet, if that makes sense. ie it is just below bonnet line. lt is effective at speed but not of course in traffic when you also want it. l have air con and this vent saves having to use it at speed, just in traffic. l plan to enhance it with a duct from the other side and bigger duct tube to reduce friction loss.
Me and Ultimasimon cooked on way to pie on the beach yesterday.....
It was my fault, as having played with the full side pods before leaving I had switch the heater on full.... didn't notice until we were toasted 15mins into the journey and the heat wouldn't disapate until we stopped and opened the doors.
Am now so going to get fresh air under the dash somehow.
It was my fault, as having played with the full side pods before leaving I had switch the heater on full.... didn't notice until we were toasted 15mins into the journey and the heat wouldn't disapate until we stopped and opened the doors.
Am now so going to get fresh air under the dash somehow.
I am SO glad I insulated the radiator feed/return side pipes, heater/aircon tubing and the cockpit sides.
I raraly need the aircon on even with these unusually high temperatures we're getting.
The downside has possibly been a bit of extra load on the cooling system, but that's almost solved now.
Well worth doing if you're building IMHO.
I raraly need the aircon on even with these unusually high temperatures we're getting.
The downside has possibly been a bit of extra load on the cooling system, but that's almost solved now.
Well worth doing if you're building IMHO.
ultimaandy said:
Me and Ultimasimon cooked on way to pie on the beach yesterday.....
It was my fault, as having played with the full side pods before leaving I had switch the heater on full.... didn't notice until we were toasted 15mins into the journey and the heat wouldn't disapate until we stopped and opened the doors.
Am now so going to get fresh air under the dash somehow.
It was an easy mistake to make being as the heater control valve is in the l/h side pod, and the pod was full of spares etc and so got moved.
We even tried using a side pod cover as a duct as mentioned on here previously, and forcing air from above the windscreen into the cabin - this is not the way forward IMHO as it only held the hot air in the cabin, which consequently built up a wall of heat which had no where to go. It is my opinion that Javier has the right approach by forcing cool external air directly into the cabin.
Any effect from insulating the pipes in the side pods would certainly be beneficial, as I found out yesterday in the 100 degree heat, but nowhere near as efficient as introducing a dedicated direct source of fresh air from the front of the car.
PS got sunstroke on Saturday at the POD with Clive, then got it again on the Sunday at the pie bash with Andy...
makesmentalnotetowearahatthoughnotlikecliveswhichmakeshimlooklikeagayicon
I have been following this thread with great interest as I will be out on the road in my Canam for the first time in the next few days. Have I missed the UK heat wave?. My initial thoughts are to 1) block the air intake to stop heatwash (after trials) and 2) use a big fan purchased from Walmart that will plug in to cig lighter. I have yet to find suitable point to temporarily attach.
ultimaandy said:
makesmentalnotetowearahatthoughnotlikecliveswhichmakeshimlooklikeagayicon
Of cause like true friends we never mentioned it once!
No not Bl**DY much you didn't.
PS Simon I was fine once I stopped racing and Put my Cow Boy Hat back on. Let me see Feel Sick or look Stupid ----- Look Stupid every time.....
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