F1 Panel

[Allandwf]

Hi,
Removed the F1 Panel to fix my temperature problem, found wire broken in sensor plug, fixed that , but revealed loads more potential probs now it's off. Is it ok to use the car without it fitted, or are there airflow issues, or is it purely cosmetic?

[Gazzab]

What do you mean by F1 panel?

[Allandwf]

Large panel in front of the engine, hiding the chassis and water pipes.

[m16kcy]

it creates downforce thats why there is gaps at the sides of the bonnet to let the air flow through so it wont handle very well at high speeds but it shouldn't be a problem if you are driving within the speed limmits

[Allandwf]

Thanks, It was a nightmare to get off , bolts siezed etc, so will leave it off while I renew the jubilee clips, rust proof bits and bobs and just generally tidy up under there.

[Olly]

I've had my panel off for MONTHS (taken off to fix power steering pipes, then left off to replace radiator, then left off to replace capillary tube/water temp gauge, etc, etc).

Did fighting torque last August (seeing a genuine 150mph) & it was absolutely fine !

So I reckon it's just there for aesthetic reasons !

[ridds]

They also had a massive change of heart with it.

Early cars the air flow from the radiators goes over the top of the engine.

Later cars all this air is channeled down over the exhausts.

So which is bertter? I've opted for the latter and got a later panel so that there's more airflow around the exhausts and hot air from the radiators is channeled away from the intake system.

[HarryW]

ridds said:

They also had a massive change of heart with it.

Early cars the air flow from the radiators goes over the top of the engine.

Later cars all this air is channeled down over the exhausts.

So which is bertter? I've opted for the latter and got a later panel so that there's more airflow around the exhausts and hot air from the radiators is channeled away from the intake system.

That's an interesting point as I wonder if there is also a link to the hot starter motor issues with the different style panels and under bonnet temps .
Mine as an early car sometimes suffers from this even thought the starter benched as good, it normally takes about the same time as filling up to set in .

[SmokinV8]

ridds said:

They also had a massive change of heart with it.

Early cars the air flow from the radiators goes over the top of the engine.

Later cars all this air is channeled down over the exhausts.

So which is bertter? I've opted for the latter and got a later panel so that there's more airflow around the exhausts and hot air from the radiators is channeled away from the intake system.

Got any pictures of the later ones?

[itsallyellow]

m16kcy said:

it creates downforce thats why there is gaps at the sides of the bonnet to let the air flow through so it wont handle very well at high speeds but it shouldn't be a problem if you are driving within the speed limmits

Not true at all. It actually icreases under car pressure. Niether of the race cars have them.

Mike

[m16kcy]

i stand corrected

[jonbarrett]

From what I've just read (in an academic text) ducting plates used to direct airflow over the engine and out of the engine bay at the base of the windscreen are designed to reduce drag. I think the idea is that to get maximum laminar flow the air entering the engine bay will reattach itself to the windscreen instead of becoming turbulent by being forced under the rough underside of the vehicle. Take a look at the Ford GT.

[marcus1970]

If you don't have the panel in place and your bonnet catches aren't in place then it makes the bonnet lift at about 100mph.

I know this as my panel is in the back of my old 7 series and my bonnet rods/stays are in the back room having been cleaned up.

Ii was driving down my local airs trip at 100 by the way.

MB

[McNasty]

The only thing that stops the bonnet flicking up is the bonnet catch.
i have the later model F1 panel fitted and when i got the car the mechanism was poorly fitted so didn't work well and the bonnet flicked up as you say around the 100 mark.