Front Wheel Air Duct: Wire Mesh Covering?

redpackage · 07-12-2005, 04:27 PM

Has anyone come up with a wire mesh for the front wheel air ducts to keep road stones from hitting the door and resting on the bodywork?

If you have used such a solution, does it impact the cooling effect of the air duct?

Even though there is 3M clear plastic protecting all of the body panels, it still looks like a mess after traversing any gravel or pebble paved streets.

Woodster · 07-12-2005, 05:36 PM

see latest Excellence Magazine: A "street rod body shop" built a wire mesh that is exact even
to the Hexagonal shape mesh that CGT uses on the engine cover and the muffler cover.
They built one to exact specs that is a direct bolt on using existing holes and is curved to fit
exactly. their telephone # is in the article!!
Hope this helps.
Marty Kaye

JustinS · 07-13-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodster

see latest Excellence Magazine: A "street rod body shop" built a wire mesh that is exact even
to the Hexagonal shape mesh that CGT uses on the engine cover and the muffler cover.
They built one to exact specs that is a direct bolt on using existing holes and is curved to fit
exactly. their telephone # is in the article!!
Hope this helps.
Marty Kaye

Ditto, I read that article last weekend, great idea and nice looking product.

20C4S · 07-13-2005, 11:48 AM

i'd like to see what Porsche is going to say about it if they're going to say anything at all. it is a good design with a good quality. however, it will for sure affect the aerodynamic & the cooling of the car. we'll see how it goes.

themarsman · 07-13-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20C4S

i'd like to see what Porsche is going to say about it if they're going to say anything at all. it is a good design with a good quality. however, it will for sure affect the aerodynamic & the cooling of the car. we'll see how it goes.

Could someone post the phone number or better yet scan the article.

Thanks!

Arrwin · 07-13-2005, 06:44 PM

Just read the article on the way to work this morning. Ben Keaton (Ben in LJ) was mentioned in the article.

Steve N. · 07-15-2005, 11:02 PM

I read the article and had the same question as 20C4S - there is no doubt that the cooling air flow would be affected. I guess it's axiomatic that the effect at low speeds would be minimal/trivial, but I'm sure that at some (unknown) speed the wire mesh would produce a meaningful change in air flow pattern.

I haven't been hit by rocks flying in the window yet - this was the experience attributed to Ben in the article as I recall - but it is annoying to see the build-up of little rocks after a few miles driving. So from my perspective it would be nice if Porsche would offer some insight as to the effect of this modification - highly unlikely, though.

20C4S · 07-15-2005, 11:18 PM

my car should be arriving within weeks. i thought about doing it because it makes a lot of sense to me. however, after a long thought i'm not sure i want to do it because of the above reason i was concerning. i'm sure it probably won't affect anything low speed but i just don't want to mess around with the aerodynamic of the car.

Steve N. · 07-16-2005, 01:08 PM

Be sure to get protective film applied - I had it done before I left the dealership.

redpackage · 07-18-2005, 11:06 PM

Mark Belton & Larry Shoaf
Rod Crafters, Inc.
341 Industrial Drive
Welcome, NC, 27374
336-731-0008

GoFastKindaGuy · 07-26-2005, 07:53 PM

I asked the question of the engineers in Weissach, "Why not a mesh to keep the stones off the door (like the Maserati supercar)?". Their answer was, as I recall, "Venturi air extraction and turbulence. Even the most open mesh knocks out about 15% airflow at speed."

Another fear kept me from doing anything: there is the risk of breakage. Where would the pieces go if a custom grill broke in the wheel well?

My solution: Clear 3M film on the sill -- from leading edge back to mid door -- and both sides of the "target zone" behind the front tires -- back to the leading edge of the door. And I wipe the trash off after every drive.

W8MM · 07-26-2005, 10:45 PM

I'm doing both the film (done) and the grills (next week). I don't much like the trash bin effect on the sills after I pull in the garage after a run.

Since I don't plan on going over maybe 160-175, I'm not worried about the decrease in airflow.

Turbo911 · 07-27-2005, 01:49 AM

That's right, they came in today. They look pretty good. I hope to put them on this Thursday. They are black so they will look like a factory part on my C-GT.

Chuck

labcars · 07-28-2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo911

That's right, they came in today. They look pretty good. I hope to put them on this Thursday. They are black so they will look like a factory part on my C-GT.

Chuck

Chuck, mine is a black car as well and I'd love to see pics of your install, as well as some information on where to get them. Thanks in advance, Les

labcars · 08-02-2005, 12:34 AM

Chuck, how did the install go and how does it look. I'm most interested in your experience since I too have a black CGT. Pics would be most appreciated. Thanks, Les

07-12-2005, 04:27 PM	#1
redpackage Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 92	Front Wheel Air Duct: Wire Mesh Covering? Has anyone come up with a wire mesh for the front wheel air ducts to keep road stones from hitting the door and resting on the bodywork? If you have used such a solution, does it impact the cooling effect of the air duct? Even though there is 3M clear plastic protecting all of the body panels, it still looks like a mess after traversing any gravel or pebble paved streets.

07-12-2005, 05:36 PM	#2
Woodster Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: WEST SIDE OF MPLS, MN Posts: 2,624	see latest Excellence Magazine: A "street rod body shop" built a wire mesh that is exact even to the Hexagonal shape mesh that CGT uses on the engine cover and the muffler cover. They built one to exact specs that is a direct bolt on using existing holes and is curved to fit exactly. their telephone # is in the article!! Hope this helps. Marty Kaye __________________ Sold: 86 930, 91 965, 96 993TT, and the beloved 01 Protomotive 996TT Up next: 01/02 965 Turbo for wife and 07' GT3 or 997TT for me (it may be awhile)

07-13-2005, 06:44 PM	#6
Arrwin Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Midtown, NYC Posts: 2,995	Just read the article on the way to work this morning. Ben Keaton (Ben in LJ) was mentioned in the article. __________________ NOW...i'm Arena Red air-kooled. Arena Red Bliss Metro NY PCA Region Member BMWCCA NY Region Member

07-26-2005, 07:53 PM	#11
GoFastKindaGuy Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Midwestern USA Posts: 240	I asked the question of the engineers in Weissach, "Why not a mesh to keep the stones off the door (like the Maserati supercar)?". Their answer was, as I recall, "Venturi air extraction and turbulence. Even the most open mesh knocks out about 15% airflow at speed." Another fear kept me from doing anything: there is the risk of breakage. Where would the pieces go if a custom grill broke in the wheel well? My solution: Clear 3M film on the sill -- from leading edge back to mid door -- and both sides of the "target zone" behind the front tires -- back to the leading edge of the door. And I wipe the trash off after every drive. __________________ '07 GT3RS Black/Slate '04 Carrera GT Silver/Terracotta '01 996TT Silver/Grey '08 Audi S6 Silver/Black '08 CLK 63 AMG Black Series '08 F430 Scuderia Yellow/Grey

07-26-2005, 10:45 PM	#12
W8MM Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, USA Posts: 628	I'm doing both the film (done) and the grills (next week). I don't much like the trash bin effect on the sills after I pull in the garage after a run. Since I don't plan on going over maybe 160-175, I'm not worried about the decrease in airflow. __________________ Mike '05 Carrera GT - Signal Yellow '08 Tesla Roadster - Thunder Gray ------------------------------ Previously owned: 914/4, various 928's, 914/6 2.8, 911 2.8 (TwinIgnition, Airport gears, Turbo brakes), 962-113 (used to be 962-102 until John Paul T-boned it at Charlotte, #5, Coca-Cola Red), 964 C4, 993TT, 996 C2 Cab, 911RS/IROC - Light Green (9114600040), '01 996TT - Tip, McLaren BMW 320 race car (ex-David Hobbs)

07-13-2005, 11:48 AM	#4
20C4S User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: LOS ANGELES, CA Posts: 887	i'd like to see what Porsche is going to say about it if they're going to say anything at all. it is a good design with a good quality. however, it will for sure affect the aerodynamic & the cooling of the car. we'll see how it goes.

07-15-2005, 11:02 PM	#7
Steve N. User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 347	I read the article and had the same question as 20C4S - there is no doubt that the cooling air flow would be affected. I guess it's axiomatic that the effect at low speeds would be minimal/trivial, but I'm sure that at some (unknown) speed the wire mesh would produce a meaningful change in air flow pattern. I haven't been hit by rocks flying in the window yet - this was the experience attributed to Ben in the article as I recall - but it is annoying to see the build-up of little rocks after a few miles driving. So from my perspective it would be nice if Porsche would offer some insight as to the effect of this modification - highly unlikely, though.

07-15-2005, 11:18 PM	#8
20C4S User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: LOS ANGELES, CA Posts: 887	my car should be arriving within weeks. i thought about doing it because it makes a lot of sense to me. however, after a long thought i'm not sure i want to do it because of the above reason i was concerning. i'm sure it probably won't affect anything low speed but i just don't want to mess around with the aerodynamic of the car.

07-16-2005, 01:08 PM	#9
Steve N. User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 347	Be sure to get protective film applied - I had it done before I left the dealership.

07-18-2005, 11:06 PM	#10
redpackage Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 92	Mark Belton & Larry Shoaf Rod Crafters, Inc. 341 Industrial Drive Welcome, NC, 27374 336-731-0008

07-27-2005, 01:49 AM	#13
Turbo911 User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 33	My grills came in today! That's right, they came in today. They look pretty good. I hope to put them on this Thursday. They are black so they will look like a factory part on my C-GT. Chuck

08-02-2005, 12:34 AM	#15
labcars Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: philadelphia area, PA Posts: 234	Chuck, how did the install go and how does it look. I'm most interested in your experience since I too have a black CGT. Pics would be most appreciated. Thanks, Les __________________ Les B. '10 GT3 (Aqua blue) '65 356SC cab (Bali blue/tan) '94 Turbo S Flatnose (Guards red/cashmere) '05 Turbo S (GT silver/black) '89 930S (M505) (Black/black)