My next project is to duct cool area around the bevel box as mine only makes a noise after sustained load such as motorway or repeated acceleration.
I had the same idea and fitted this NACA Duct into the floor panel to duct some air around the bevel gearbox. I didn't want to ruin the ground effect aerodynamics of the M3W by fitting a scoop..... and I had some time to waste. I have tried the non scientific check with a infrared thermometer after runs down the road with the duct open and blocked off. It maybe made a little difference but only about 5c, every little helps though. Possibly the removal of the centre panel, as newer cars have I think, would be better and easier? I cannot think it is a stressed panel, such as Lotus use on the Elise.
I agree that an oil cooler positioned where the front number plate would normally be, would be far too vulnerable and prone to damage.
I am currently looking into the possibility of mounting a Mocal 19 row x 115mm wide oil cooler under the bonnet along with a 5 inch fan. I think the oil cooler should be used in conjunction with an oil thermostat that only allows the oil to flow through the cooler when the oil temperature is above 80°C. This would allow the engine to warm up normally as an oil cooler that is permanently open would significantly slow down the warming up process. I intend to connect the cooler into the oil return feed from the engine to the tank.
By the way, I think a "Lavinova" oil cooler can only be used on a water cooled engine and the oil is then cooled by the engine's cooling water. Hence not possible on an M3W.
Im thinking about having the urban cooling kit fitted at the same time as the new bolt in chassis brace. It looks ugly but is it worth doing?
When it first came out I did talk to one of the many Marks at the factory who was involved in the engineering of it. He reckoned that there were significant benefits to the overall cooling of the cylinders due to the ducting in addition to cooling from the fan when the car is stationary. |His opinion was that it was definitely a good idea even if you never hit the skip fire mode. Of course I listened, accepted, believed and still haven't got the cooling pack fitted...
