Miata Mailing List: July 1999, Message #27

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To add to that, I have observed in the rain that airflow actually *exits*
through the headlight opening, by watching water beads flow up instead of
down. I still consider having the extra airflow going across the engine
compartment a plus, there's no ram benefit from it. I do have the rubber
stripping above the firewall removed as well as the plastic headlight
shrouds to get more airflow as well. 

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Sean Fletcher, Email: Sean@TheSwamp.com
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Go Gators!  http://TheSwamp.com

See my Miata: http://TheSwamp.com/miata
>==>(Home of the Miata Registry)<==<
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On Thu, 1 Jul 1999, John Freas wrote:

> Previously on low budget CAI, Richard Kreis <sapient_1@email.msn.com> said...
> 
> > Most of us agree that the engine on the Mk I runs cooler/better with the
> > headlights raised because of the additional ram air entering the engine
> > compartment through the headlight openings.  Aftermarket kits are available
> > that develop a ram effect using air from in front of the radiator. I dreamed
> > up a low cost home-brew approach that lies somewhere in between no cost
> > (raise the barn doors) and high cost.
> 
> A true CAI increases engine horsepower by delivering cooler, denser air to the
> intake manifold.  Claims have been made that there is a ram effect gain as
> well, but that has so far been unsubstantiated.
> 
> In any case, raising the headlights might lower intake temperatures, but will
> produce no ram effect, and will be nowhere as efficient at drawing in cool air
> as a true CAI.  If you are out for power, get (or build) a CAI.  If you want
> the car to run cooler, get a radiator from an automatic (or the equivalent
> high performance unit from dlralt).
> 
> As to Rube Goldberging the headlights, I'm sure it could be made to work if
> you need a hobby, but it wouldn't be allowed at an autocross, at least not in
> BS, and IMHO it would look pretty goofy running around with the lights up 2".
> 
> JMO.
> 
> 	-John
> 
> ------------------------------------------------
> John Freas (jfreas@earthlink.net)
> Red '90 Base-ish #7690
> Long Island, NY
> Team LS1,2, SP, the Gap...
> Team dlralt, The M Road, PBC, Roebuck, Team Miata, Voodoo...
> "I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are for."
> ------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
>