A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Just curious as I would think Elise's lack of scoop actually make the air flow going inside the intake is better as it's not restricted and limited by the scoop, but heck, I am no engineer (well, I am an engineer, but not automotive or aerodynamics engineer)
Thanks
A:
Answer: WRONG!
A:
Actually, I've read on "a different forum" that someone spoke to a high up Lotus employee, and gameson is correct. According to that person, the Exige scoops are just bling and the Elise vents flow more air. It was Scottyb who said this, so maybe he would like to comment about it in this thread.
A:
The elise vents LOOK like they would flow more air to me. They just don't look as restrictive as the scoops. But keep in mind the following: Either one flows more than enough air. The extra ?% one might get over the other isn't goign to make any difference in your engine's performance, and technically the lesser flow of the scoop might be slightly more aerodynamic.
xtn
A:
When I spoke with Nick Adams he confirmed that the Exige has more restriction of flow through the vents. He said that they knew the mesh was more restrictive than the Elise's slats, but the marketing department drove the decision. Just like the Start button.
On the Elise, those after market vents definitely restrict the flow. They limit the vectors that the air flow can come from.
The Exige Body might be different given the different design of the front clam but I doubt it. I was also informed that the scoops were added to the Exige to prevent big pieces of debree, like leaves and rocks, from being sucked into the intake.
So the take home message is, if you have an elise without the stock airbox and snorkel, the exige hoop decreases air flow and you are better off without it assuming you have kept your intake in the same general area.
If you still have the stock set up with the snorkel, it probably doesn't make that much of a difference since the opening of the flap supplements air flow to the intake from the engine compartment, which is still very well ventilated.
A:
Originally Posted by xtn
But keep in mind the following: Either one flows more than enough air. The extra ?% one might get over the other isn't goign to make any difference in your engine's performance
This may be true for stock configurations, but there are people who have modifications that will benefit from more airflow through the side vents. For example, my intercooler is mounted near the left-side vent, and I was considering switching to the scoops to increase air intake, but now that I know the scoops flow less air, I guess I won't do that.
I wonder how a scoop would have to be shaped to successfully ram more air into the opening than the OEM Elise vents catch? Absurdly large, perhaps?
A:
Originally Posted by gameson
what's the purpose of side scoop?
I think it looks cool.
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Hmm, I have ITG intake, I was thinking of getting side scoop mainly because of looks, but since my guess is true and I dont want any decrease in performance, I would use my $ towards something else.
A:
Originally Posted by gameson
Just curious as I would think Elise's lack of scoop actually make the air flow going inside the intake is better as it's not restricted and limited by the scoop, but heck, I am no engineer (well, I am an engineer, but not automotive or aerodynamics engineer)
Thanks
The ReVerie side scoops we sell have a larger intake opening (they sit out a bit further) ReVerie clam this directs more air into the intake and engine area. They also look really cool
Neil
A:
Originally Posted by The Stig
The ReVerie side scoops we sell have a larger intake opening (they sit out a bit further) ReVerie clam this directs more air into the intake and engine area. They also look really cool
Neil
That's because they created a funnel that takes all the air and has it go directly into their intake. So they can claim that a greater percentage of air through the scoop goes into the intake than the stock arrangement, but it's not because of the extension, it's because of the funnel. But also their set up creates turbulence in the funnel since all the air can not go into the intake and the excess is not able to get into the engine compartment.
But yes it does look cool!
A:
Originally Posted by scottyb
I was also informed that the scoops were added to the Exige to prevent big pieces of debree, like leaves and rocks, from being sucked into the intake.
I could kinda see this as a valid reason since the Exige is the higher speed car of the two, what with the extra bodywork/downforce and all. Perhaps the inhouse folks think the Exige is going to typically spend more time over 120mph or so than the Elise and that a bit of extra protection against debris will help it out.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
A:
Originally Posted by scottyb
I was also informed that the scoops were added to the Exige to prevent big pieces of debree, like leaves and rocks, from being sucked into the intake.
I don't think the scoops themselves prevent big pieces of debris from being sucked in, the MESH in the scoops is what does that.
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Originally Posted by Shaggy
I could kinda see this as a valid reason since the Exige is the higher speed car of the two, what with the extra bodywork/downforce and all.
I thought it's the Elise that actually has a higher speed but with less available downforce.
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I bought the Sector 111 supplied Revrie C/F side scoops and had them painted to match the car. I had planned to cut out the screens and replace with a larger expanded metal to increase air flow even before reading this thread. The screens do look way too restrictive to me.
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Originally Posted by perryeyges
The screens look way too restrictive to me.
or too heavy
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Originally Posted by The Stig
The ReVerie side scoops ....They also look really cool
Neil
Yes, They do!
A:
Sweet looking car! I like the look of the GUT splitter, wing, etc. Must have black wheels and gas door though.
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Originally Posted by goelise
I thought it's the Elise that actually has a higher speed but with less available downforce.
I just meant that the Exige might see more high speed time since its purpose is to provide more downforce at those speeds.
A:
Originally Posted by scottyb
That's because they created a funnel that takes all the air and has it go directly into their intake.
That still will not increase the air flow into the intake very noticeably. The flow is not compressible, so the air flow is restricted by the smallest passage that it passes through. If you have 10 sq. in. of scoop feeding a 10 sq. in. of intake. Double the opening to 20 sq. in., and you can still only feed the same amount of air that will pass through the 10 sq. in. intake. You can ensure that you will get the maximum air flow, but once you reach that level, increasing the size of the scoop (or funnel) won't flow any additional air.
And don't forget that you still need air flow through the side vents into the engine compartment - the air flows from the sides (and the NACA ducts in the under-tray) and out into the lighter pressure area out the vents above the engine.
A:
Tim,
Won't it accelerate the air flow? In other words cause the air speed in the intake pipe to flow faster when fed by the funnel shape? Makes sense to me but I'm no aeronautical engineer. More of an ignatowski..