new body modification

shadowmaker · 29-04-2006

i have found that now i have made like slits on the merc body shell where the radiator grill is on the front ( i have a ts4-n sport)(nitro) and now i have done it it goes like sh** off a stick now there is air gettin to the filter. FRESH air an not warm air from the engine. I have a question would this harm it or be better for it??????????

**Bunkerbarge** · 29-04-2006

It would definately be better for it to have a good supply of fresh air.

This will have the double effect of improved air flow for combustion purposes plus cooler running of the engine as the inlet air is cooler.

If you starve an engine of air the combustion gets too rich and the temperature rises. This in conjunction with hot air being supplied can lead to temperatures outside the operating range and possible seizure.

Also cooler air is denser so you are getting more oxygen into the engine per stroke and once again better performance.

It is really a win-win situation. I would only become concerned if you were forcing more air into the engine than it was designed to take ie turbo-charging or supercharging.

Make the most of your new found performance and advise all your freinds that engines need a good supply of fresh air!

shadowmaker · 30-04-2006

thanks for the comment!! i have only done the front and not forcing air down it the only air getting to it is when it is in motion and what is gettin to it!!!

shadowmaker · 30-04-2006

this is what i have been told on another site " its normal to cut a 50mm hole in the front windscreen and cut the read window out, this retains body strength, your method may reduce handling and also weaken the shell" is this true?? it is only the front grill i have done and nothing else!! there are only about 8 small slits on the front. Will this weaken the structure???

**Bunkerbarge** · 30-04-2006

Only you can really tell that. If the front now feels a bit flimsy and weak then maybe you need to add a bit of support at the back of it but if it still feels firm then I am sure it will be OK. There is obviously quite a bit of flex in these bodies anyway so unless you have cut great holes across the front I am sure you will be OK.

Maybe if you post a picture we can get a better idea.

**Bluewavestudios** · 30-04-2006

Hi Shadow,

Yes I am in agreement with Bunkerbarge above, it does depend how much you have cut out and more importantly the thickness of the plastic that the shell is made from.
The HPI Shells and the Kyosho ones are quite thick. So long as you don't prang it in hard on the front end you should be fine.
If in doubt, If you can get your hands on some Carbon fibre tows, then epoxy some of these inside the shell around the cut out areas to strengthen up. They should not add too much weight.....possibly even some fibreglass cloth may do the trick so long as the resin doesn't attack the paint.

Have a look at the Skyline I did recently on here and all the cut outs on the front of that, there is still plenty strength in the front end and plenty of cooling air going in. (It is an HPI Shell) I have only fitted aluminium mesh inside to complete the effect.

I will be doing similar cut outs on My Honda NSX Shell which is a thicker shell and made by Kyosho.

Regards.......Mark.

shadowmaker · 30-04-2006

i have some pictures of it in the gallery it is the merc the grill on the front has very small slits on the front they are only about 2mm by 2cm long and they go with the pattern of the grill on either side of the ridge on the front!

**Bluewavestudios** · 01-05-2006

Hi Shadow, if it is only the front grille you have cut out as described above then you should be fine and enjoy the extra cooling on your engine. I always think the big cooling holes cut out of the windscreens spoil the look of the car.
With a bit of patience and the right tools it is no problem to open up moulded holes on the shell for proper cooling....these are always moulded into the shell only to have stickers applied to them....what a waste.
The cooler your engine runs the better..!!!

Regards....Mark

**Bunkerbarge** · 01-05-2006

I think it looks superb and actually far more realistic for having the slots cut.

I really don't think you will have any strength issues with having removed such small quantities of material and as Mark rightly says a big hole in the screen would completely ruin the whole look of the car.

shadowmaker · 01-05-2006

yeh i know that is why i went for cutting lil slots on the front grill.i didn't want to cut BIG holes in it!!