Tuscan Bodywork Mod Question...

Tuscan Bodywork Mod Question...

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tuscan_s

Original Poster:

3,166 posts

280 months

Thursday 26th June 2003
quotequote all
I read an interesting article in Classic Cars about a rare 1968(?) Tuscan Wide Body. It's bloody fast but what interested me was the colling slats on the wing (Aston style).

It got me wondering if it's feasable to design a cooling solution for the current Tuscan like this?

I'm sure a competent TVR bodywork company could design a template. It would look good and may even reduce the heat soak.

Anyone in the know willing to comment on this?

Dai Capp

1,641 posts

267 months

Thursday 26th June 2003
quotequote all
Can't claim to be in the know, but my dealer was talking about improving cooling on the Tuscan.

They were saying that as the air is sucked up into the engine it is less efficient at cooling leading to under bonnet temperatures that could have a deliterious effect on some engine components. When the water temp is in the 90's the under bonnet temp could be as high as 200.

They suggested two cutouts in the fixed bonnet dips would help greatly. It'd spoil the looks though wouldn't it...

Interesting though...

DC

jonesg1002

64 posts

289 months

Thursday 26th June 2003
quotequote all
I have driven my car in 40c in S.France last year without any issues with coolant/oil temperature.

The aircon though felt ineffective until I rolled down the window.

Graham

tuscan_s

Original Poster:

3,166 posts

280 months

Thursday 26th June 2003
quotequote all
I was thinking more in terms of heat soak into the cabin. If the engine is cooler then the cabin will be cooler...

jonesg1002

64 posts

289 months

Thursday 26th June 2003
quotequote all
I don't know how this works, but I find its fine until I'm stopped in town then the aircon can't get the heat out and struggles to keep the temp down.

perhaps a bit of ventialation for when stopped might help.

I find the aircon really good, when it gets very hot it spits ice at me made from the condensation going down the inside of the pipes.

graham66

850 posts

291 months

Friday 27th June 2003
quotequote all
Dai Capp said:
Can't claim to be in the know, but my dealer was talking about improving cooling on the Tuscan.

They were saying that as the air is sucked up into the engine it is less efficient at cooling leading to under bonnet temperatures that could have a deliterious effect on some engine components. When the water temp is in the 90's the under bonnet temp could be as high as 200.

They suggested two cutouts in the fixed bonnet dips would help greatly. It'd spoil the looks though wouldn't it...

Interesting though...

DC


Problem is that if you make cut outs in the fixed bonnet dips, then you change the air flow in the dips, and it is this that sucks air through the radiator - notice how rain drops are drawn up the bonnet in the wet. So you may reduce the under bonnet temps but then reduce the effective ness of the radiator - it is a fine line and something that needs to be balanced with the rest of the cooling system. It is a bit like increasing engine power, you then need to uprate brakes and suspension to cope with it

I am not saying it wont work, just advising caution before you set to with the Davids Isopon and Halfords slotted grills

Graham

tuscan_s

Original Poster:

3,166 posts

280 months

Monday 30th June 2003
quotequote all
Well my idea is to have Aston Martin/BMW M3 style wing grilles inserted.

This will give another exit point for the heat but not affect the radiator fans or any 'aerodynamics' of the car...

Should have a Photoshopped example soon!

tuscan_s

Original Poster:

3,166 posts

280 months

Monday 30th June 2003
quotequote all
Like this -



or

ro_butler

795 posts

278 months

Monday 30th June 2003
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Hmmm,

I don't think either of these solutions would make much difference at a standstill. It would be a different story when moving tho.

Without knowing too much about the tuscan the problem (from what I can gather) is that the air comes in the front, past/through the radiator and then straight out of the bonnet vents/dips without getting to the engine bay.

It would be interesting to see what happened although, as I said, probably not make much difference in traffic.

rob.

tuscan_s

Original Poster:

3,166 posts

280 months

Monday 30th June 2003
quotequote all
Would be interesting to see what an expert has to say (no disrespect). I still feel that heat needs another exit route...

graham66

850 posts

291 months

Sunday 6th July 2003
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What you have to remember with air flow is that it is all to do with pressure as much as anything, if you open up a gap and their is a difference in air pressure, then air will flow from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, so you may end up just getting more air in to the engine bay, this then has to go somewhere and could end up causing lift - this is all supposition I must point out, not based on anything at all, just playing devils advocate!

While I can understand what you are trying to achieve and think it will be great if it works, I think you need to, as you say, consult an expert and look at the air flow inside the engine bay and then see what can be done and how to do it

I believe the slots behind wheels as you have drawn are more to do with reducing pressure in the wheel arches, although I am most likely wrong!

Good luck with it and let us know how you get on, it does sound very interesting

Graham

suffiep

25 posts

289 months

Sunday 6th July 2003
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Irrelevant to the question of cooling but ... I like the Aston Style vent!

tuscan_s

Original Poster:

3,166 posts

280 months

Monday 7th July 2003
quotequote all
I spoke to Carisma Styling (The Max Power Cerbera) about doing some Tuscan mods. I will get some preliminary drawings and see how it goes...

If it's too expensive then