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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: LotusJoe on Friday,June 27, 2014, 12:53:45 PM

Title: Trunk lid intakes on TCS
Post by: LotusJoe on Friday,June 27, 2014, 12:53:45 PM
I'm contemplating doing the same thing that was done on 7upJohn's Twin Cam to my car. Opinions anyone?
These grills are from a 356 Porsche. Readily avail in the aftermarket.

(http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b597/7upJohn/null_zps6393213d.jpg)

(http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/albums/album13/Rear_decklid_TCS.sized.jpg)
Title: Re: Trunk lid intakes on TCS
Post by: BDA on Friday,June 27, 2014, 03:20:26 PM
Looks nice, Joe. I also like the stainless steel "molded" screen some have made.
Title: Re: Trunk lid intakes on TCS
Post by: cal44 on Friday,June 27, 2014, 06:19:24 PM
I'm usually not into major changes of cars, but I think this works.  It would provide more hot air escape, air circulation and intake.   
Maybe do a mockup in cardboard to see if is looks in scale with the rest of the car.  Scale is a big deal with me.

The factory 356 grills are mostly aluminum with a touch of steel around the parameter for strength.
Considering the color of your TCS, a matt finish in powder coat black or a very very dark gray.
Just some minor ramblings from me.
mike
Title: Re: Trunk lid intakes on TCS
Post by: Grumblebuns on Friday,June 27, 2014, 06:23:44 PM
Be careful about personalizing your car too drastically or permanently. I suspect people are looking for mostly stock cars when looking at Europas or any other vintage sports car. If you're ever forced to sell the Europa, the changes may make it more difficult to unload quickly. Daniels car is a good example of this.

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=697.0

It's been on ebay twice, still hasn't sold for his asking price.

Like BDA, I much prefer the molded style steel mesh vent painted black. 
Title: Re: Trunk lid intakes on TCS
Post by: EuropaTC on Friday,June 27, 2014, 10:08:13 PM
My initial reaction was "well, it's your car, if you like the idea then go for it" because providing you keep the cut-out sections somewhere you can always glass them back in if you decided it wasn't so good.

My second thought was boringly practical.....    is that going to let water into the ignition system ?   

The OEM vents are fine mesh and let hot air out but from what I can see, not much rain down onto the engine.  The S1 Elise has grilles in the middle of the rear deck in about the same position as shown but they are a much larger mesh and certainly let water into the engine and cause misfiring if you're stationary in heavy rain. (yep, got the T-shirt)

The MR2 also had a large grille section over the engine, but the clever Japanese had decided to put a drip-tray underneath to channel any water away, and that works very well. 

Brian
Title: Re: Trunk lid intakes on TCS
Post by: Lou Drozdowski on Saturday,June 28, 2014, 08:11:22 PM
I'll have my coffee... er... vents black please...none of that "fooseechino" for me.
 With my sincere apology in advance.ld