Upper fender louvers

[Shawnski]

Has anyone considered or added upper fender louvers? It is proven that the Daytona Coupe demonstrates a lack frontal downforce. An air splitter is usually fitted to competition prepared Coupes, however that "spoiles" the looks IMO for cars that will only see occasional track duty. I was thinking of applying louvers to the inner fender aluminum to allow air to escape front and rear. With the front "gill" allowing for an exit and the rear panel slits to do likewise in the rear.

The idea of upper fender louvers to increase downforce occurred to me on Friday while strolling in the Paddock at RA at Elkhart Lake. A competition prepared Audi R8 (Rolex Series GT class) had fender louvers. Of course! I remember Porsche 917s having these back in the day; a full bodied car that was capable of 220 on the front straight!

I see FFR makes a set of louvers for the GTM. Having the air released at the top would seem to be the most effective way to relieve wheel well air pressure. Since our fenders have a unique pontoon shape, has anyone addressed this?

[Russ Thompson]

I'm no expert so I can't say if they would help or not but I think the look would be cool and add to the comp look of the coupe.

[Shawnski]

It would seem the key would be a louver shape open to the rear to allow a release of air, othwise it could be simply a matter of cutting slots on the upper fender. A solution could be to cut slots, fit and glass aluminum louver shapes.

I fear a less then desirable look...a little to functional for primarily a street car??? I am leaning towards internal louvers (inner fenders) to relieve air pressure (if not ideal).

[itzdapig]

if you have a design you like and wiosh it to be aluminum give Shane at VraptorSpeed works a call, he can make it for you.
Here is a sample of his louvers

[Shawnski]

Thanks for sharing.

[turbodon]

Are you building the Coupe as a track duty only?

Louvers in the rain = lots of water on windscreen. If off track in rain lots of mud on windscreen.

Louvers and high speed when hitting water = lots of pressure so louvers better be strong.

Louvers and high speed on the track = sticky tires and chunks of used rubber can bend and or break poorly done louvers. No to mention the rocks picked up while on track with the sticky tires.

Louvers for street = cool looking but not of much use especially in the rain. You should not be driving fast enough to need them on the street.

[Shawnski]

Turbodon, my car will have limited track usage, annual Northwoods SAAC open track, and twice yearly autoX on a local serpentine circuit (used for karting).

I have since lamented after my ephiphony of upper vents and will cut louvers on the inside of the aft facing inner fender wells. Not ideal, but should relieve a fair amount of air pressure.