Metal Help

[RenesisKing]

If anyone is good with dealing with metals I could really use your help. I am trying to create a aluminum duct surround for my radiator that will direct more airflow into my radiator and also create an aluminum plate that covers my intake tube and blocks airflow into the engine bay so it gets diverted to my radiator. Unfortunately, at the time I am posting this, no shop is open for me to call and find out. A thin machine-able and workable sheet would be perfect as I would cut it and bend it myself. I will not weld it however I do want it to be able to withstand over 250degrees. I'm thinking a 2024 Aluminum sheet would work fine but just figured I'd run it by some of you guys if you know anything about it. Thanks

 

[solidtrance]

Have you considdered rust? Some paint would fix it. Also you need to consider how air is going to get to your CAI (MS IIRC). This sounds like a great idea. Let us know what you come up with.

PS. I know next to nothing about metal work. Just posting the first few thoughts that came to mind.

 

[RenesisKing]

I'm not worried about rust with aluminum. My Intake would still get plenty of air bud. I don't plan on blocking off my intake, what I plan on doing is bolting an aluminum plate to the bottom of the front bumper crash bar thats right underneath the front bumper and going directly to the top of the aluminum radiator. and same with the sides, start from the insides of the oil coolers and create a funnel to direct air to the radiator. Its kind of hard to explain but it looks and sounds awesome in my head haha.

 

[solidtrance]

IIRC GTSpec makes an air diverter plate that improves cooling. It is different than what you are thinking about doing here, but any bit helps.

An AP can help (with a proper tune) with cooling by turning on the fans at a lower temp than stock. Seems to help a lot with mine.

I didn't mean to get you up in arms with my intake question. Like I said before, post some pics when you are done. Sounds like a great project.

 

[RenesisKing]

I'll check into that. If its cheaper...I may as well buy it. Although I do love custom mods.

No I didn't mean any malice behind what I was saying. Sorry if it came off like that.

 

[bedwards6954]

Check out Black Halo Racing, they have a shroud that sounds like what your making its expensive put the pictures could be a good templet

 

[RenesisKing]

Will do man. I'm calling a few places today to see how much a a sheet may cost. I have to get under my car this weekend and make some measurements and stuff so I'll deffinetly keep you guys posted.

 

[solidtrance]

Check this out, looks like the same design as the GTSpec piece I was referring to.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=203771

 

[RenesisKing]

Ooooh, yea I know about that. I plan on getting a CF one actually. I am making one that goes on the bottom of the car like GTSpec's under panel but I was going to have it tilt up into the radiator and have a flat bottom with a couple holes on each side for brake ducting. I would like to get a CF splitter for my car too so I'm thinking ahead with the mounting of that also so I'm trying to incorporate a few things all together so its gonna take some time. I called up a few shops and some online retailers and asked them about metals and they said 2024 is usually the most common but they'll get back to me tomorrow with more details. I'll keep you all posted with my progress.

 

[avantiracing08]

If i was home i would have my brother being a tin nocker build one but where both kinda out here

 

[RenesisKing]

Ha, thanks avanti. Do you know any good metal shops in CT? or where I can get metal. I'd rather just pick it up instead of getting it shipped. There used to be a metal supermarket in waterbury but I don't think its there anymore. They had any type of metal in sheet or pipe you can imagine. It made things so much easier.