Removing headlights to improve airflow on the track?

[zhenjie]

I'm doing my first trackday tomorrow and I'm trying to think of ways to improve airflow into the engine bay.

I have the Greddy turbo kit with the terrible air intake located next to the turbo. I was thinking of removing the headlights and raising the headlight doors 1/2 way for air to come in. would this be beneficial for airflow or be detrimental by creating a fair amount of drag?

[Andrew]

Where is the track day

[zhenjie]

I didn't think about the efficiency of the radiator Steve, thanks for pointing that out!

I have a few different runs so I this is the best time to test it out.

Andrew: I'm doing to Winton with a private club

[Andrew]

Ahhh yes thats right....was going to come to that day but Winton is too far up the Hume for a quick look.

Looks like a good mix of cars, have fun.

[Casey]

I'm doing my first trackday tomorrow and I'm trying to think of ways to improve airflow into the engine bay.

I have the Greddy turbo kit with the terrible air intake located next to the turbo. I was thinking of removing the headlights and raising the headlight doors 1/2 way for air to come in. would this be beneficial for airflow or be detrimental by creating a fair amount of drag?

We did this to RussellB's turbo Clubman (T25/28 setup with Autronic, std radiator and no I/C 140kW ATW) and it allowed him to do all four flying laps instead of only two at Wakefield - previously the ECU would go into a failsafe to protect the engine and wind back the ignition and pump in extra fuel. Indeed, last weekend it was good enough for 6 laps on the old circuit without any signs of overheating.

You only need to remove the passenger's side headlight and crank the cover open about half way. Russ will be able to give the exact figures from the Autronic log, but it lowered the intake temps by a Significant Amount (30 degrees C!!!! IIRC but I could be wrong).

[zhenjie]

I'm doing my first trackday tomorrow and I'm trying to think of ways to improve airflow into the engine bay.

I have the Greddy turbo kit with the terrible air intake located next to the turbo. I was thinking of removing the headlights and raising the headlight doors 1/2 way for air to come in. would this be beneficial for airflow or be detrimental by creating a fair amount of drag?

We did this to RussellB's turbo Clubman (T25/28 setup with Autronic, std radiator and no I/C 140kW ATW) and it allowed him to do all four flying laps instead of only two at Wakefield - previously the ECU would go into a failsafe to protect the engine and wind back the ignition and pump in extra fuel. Indeed, last weekend it was good enough for 6 laps on the old circuit without any signs of overheating.

You only need to remove the passenger's side headlight and crank the cover open about half way. Russ will be able to give the exact figures from the Autronic log, but it lowered the intake temps by a Significant Amount (30 degrees C!!!! IIRC but I could be wrong).

Thanks Casey, that sounds like a very promising result. I have a Pivot control unit so both the lights will be up but I'll remove the passenger side only.

[Casey]

I'm doing my first trackday tomorrow and I'm trying to think of ways to improve airflow into the engine bay.

I have the Greddy turbo kit with the terrible air intake located next to the turbo. I was thinking of removing the headlights and raising the headlight doors 1/2 way for air to come in. would this be beneficial for airflow or be detrimental by creating a fair amount of drag?

We did this to RussellB's turbo Clubman (T25/28 setup with Autronic, std radiator and no I/C 140kW ATW) and it allowed him to do all four flying laps instead of only two at Wakefield - previously the ECU would go into a failsafe to protect the engine and wind back the ignition and pump in extra fuel. Indeed, last weekend it was good enough for 6 laps on the old circuit without any signs of overheating.

You only need to remove the passenger's side headlight and crank the cover open about half way. Russ will be able to give the exact figures from the Autronic log, but it lowered the intake temps by a Significant Amount (30 degrees C!!!! IIRC but I could be wrong).

Thanks Casey, that sounds like a very promising result. I have a Pivot control unit so both the lights will be up but I'll remove the passenger side only.

To have only the one you need open either pull the headlight fuse or discconect the motor for the passenger headlight, then wind it up manually using the knob on top of the mechanism.