I've seen this done a few times, so last week I finally bit the bullet. I needed more airflow to fit an oil cooler, and I figured a little extra air to the top of the radiator couldn't hurt either.

 

I dont really like it but hey if it works.

are you going to make a shield to deflect/force air to flow down into the radiator area?

 

I have always thought "function over form" and good mechanical solution carry a certain beauty, so I think it is ok. (Yes, I am an engineer...) But the car did look better before, sorry. It would probably look a bit better if you covered the openings with some black net.

 

If you are worried about the looks, you can probably put some trim around it and some screen over it.

I am not an expert, but I plan on getting more cooling by cutting vents in the hood. The more air you let out the more that can come in.

 

At high speed the screen will act about the same as the solid cover so i don't think that would help him much. I agree that a hood vent would help that alot though keep us posted save.

 

I like it. Even did mine too. I agree that screen is counter productive. I am looking for some moulding to go around the edges. I am going to put the turn signals back in though.

 

I like it Sav- and if you can trim it up, all the better. I'm all about function over form myself, and if you can make it look good, great!

I've been thinking about where I'm going to stick an oil cooler myself....

 

need more pics.
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hole saw and jig saw? I've been trying to sack up and do this myself.
just clean up the white edge, then go after the hood situation.

 

paint the edge with touch up, and fill it with mesh.

 

I am not looking forward to this on my car.

anyone ever thought about cutting the bottom side of the bumper, and directing air over the intercooler to the rad? What about the bell air scooper?

 

Get some automotive door molding from a parts store. I'd replace the turn signals, they're only creating positive pressure behind the rad reducing airflow through it. Hustler, cut out the front mouth black plastic reinforcement and you'll get significantly more airflow through the front, but you'll have to add some shielding to the sides to keep air from spillout out. Leatherface did the same thing as Sav, came out pretty nice. I think he added some black plastic inside to clean up the appearance, would also help straighten airflow through there. He said he used a jigsaw.

 

I'd love to see some better pics. This probably looks fine on a black car, but will look terrible on other colors.

 

I think that's the perfect air source for a bigger oil cooler (2nd rx7 or mercedes diesel might fit - around 20x30x4). Though I agree with Robert- the big hurdle is getting the air out on the other side of the exchangers.

OTOH - I believe Mazda engineers attempted to implement a design principle used in race cars for front end air entry. Simplified - the air is accelerated as it enters the expansive volume of the 'mouth' after passing by the smallish perimeter. I say attempt because the bottom of the mouth follows theory while the top doesn't. Here's the article I've cited before, scroll down. My guess is, this is just another instance where turbo charging changes everything about the adequacy of existing engineering (like the cooling system etc.)

I'm in the process of upgrading my oil cooler to a unit that's more than double the size of current (I believe it's same as Sav's) and going to stick it in front of the rack. If that doesn't yield the temps I'm looking for, then I'm going to channel the two NA OE spoiler ducts to it. I'd like to avoid cutting up the nose too. The hood is a different story.

 

Read the article. The abs pieces included in the TDR IC kit do what the article states, keeps the air attached and directs it into more area of the radiator instead of just in front.

 

I have the same format of cutting in the front. I did it with the same intentions also. Once I finish doing ducting work up front (blocking off the sides so all air is forced through IC/Rad... I think it will be a great flow enhancer.

Oh and the automotive trim stuff fits perfectly around the bumper thickness. I put it on mine and it made it look so much cleaner.

 

Its safe to say that an intercooler in the front changes everything, and will not move enough air to the radiator...right?

 

How about white?

 

lol...I don't think it looks good on any car to begin with.

doesn't some ricer JDM garbage company make a duct for the front? I see it on the poseur cars all the time. Its probably retarded expensive though.

 

maybe that grinder/autokonexion guy would be willing to make a miata bumper shaped drop-in ducted vent. that is, in the unlikey chance he's actually willing to listen to the market.