A/C Airflow (Bowtie) question

[brday]

In order to redirect the airflow when the A/C is turned on, I removed my "Bowtie." This certainly makes a difference as I now have ice cold shins while driving - although there certainly is much stronger flow. I know that there is a vent assembly made that connects to where the bowtie used to mount, but it still seems as if it would be awfully low. Has anybody tried plugging the hole where the bowtie used to be in order to force the cold air up to the face vents? Or will this just result in an inefficient system?

[Jastx]

Interesting idea...

[scottb]

Take a look at the Kuehl Vent from Griffiths. I have one, and makes a lot of difference. Charlie Griffiths did an excellent job of designing and building the product.

[Mysterytrain]

Yes, I read something here in an old A/C thread about pluging the bow tie.

[Don Plumley]

I made a vent that could be opened or closed. Here's the original thread

[scottb]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
I made a vent that could be opened or closed. Here's the original thread

Don: You're version of the adjustable center vent was very clever. Unfortunately, the link to the web page that had pictures and details of the project no longer works. Is that page available somewhere else?

Scott

[saintz]

Hi all. What do right hand drive cars have in that area, I can't find evidence of the bow tie on my car

[Don Plumley]

Originally posted by scottb
Don: You're version of the adjustable center vent was very clever. Unfortunately, the link to the web page that had pictures and details of the project no longer works. Is that page available somewhere else?

Scott

Scott - yup, the link was from a site I changed two years ago. I did a quick and dirty update, the link was edited and replaced.

[scottb]

I think Don's too modest to post his link here. He really did do a great job on his vent. He gets the MacGuyver award for ingenuity!

Oh, and here's the link to his page on how to build your own center vent:

http://www.plumley.org/porsche/das_zoom/history/ac_vent/ac_vent.htm

[brday]

Saintz,

What year is your ride? I thought all '77 and up cars had the bowtie. It is attached to the firewall just behind the ashtray.

[Steve W]

I recommend the bowtie vent kit from Performance Aire. The problem with the Porsche AC system is not the blower itself but the poor ducting coming from the blower plenum. The plenum area where the bowtie port comes out of is where all the air is trapped and by porting the air out of here releases volumes of air into the passenger compartment. The Performance Aire kit requires you to double the port area by boring through the firewall and through the plastic blower plenum and silicone in another ABS tube next to the factory one. You then attach their adjustable diffuser over the two blower ports, and you actually get a huge volume of air blowing at both you and your passenger. You feel the air blowing past your legs and across your abdomen.

[Rick964]

I have the bow-tie replaced with the Performance Aire vents as well and there is a a great volume of air blowing across from the knees to the stomach and chest, makes a big difference compared to closing them off and just using the dash vents.

[saintz]

It's an 89 Brian but it is right hand drive.

[schoward]

I went for the Kuehl vent and am pleased with it. That bowtie vent definitely outputs the coldest air in my opinion. And while it doesnt dramatically improve the A/C effect, i think it does help a little. I would go for any of the vents offered (p. aire) etc. but don't expect a night and day difference.

I have heard of some folks plugging the vent. I opted not to since 1. i wondered if the backpressure would actually decrease the cooling efficiency and 2. wanted to get access to the coldest air near the evaporator.

Routing all cold air through the dash will just subject all of it to the warming effect from a warm/hot dashboard in my opinion. That bowtie is near the evaporator and is kept nice and cool under the shade of the dash on sunny days.

[brday]

Thanks SCHoward. Your logic makes sense. I think I'll try one of the aftermarket vents to try to "steer" the air towards me.

[VroomGrrl]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

Scott - yup, the link was from a site I changed two years ago. I did a quick and dirty update, the link was edited and replaced.

I'm new to all this, but really wanting to improve air-flow to ME from the AC while driving. Just can't get into the "gansta lean" which would put my face in the path of any air from either center or left AC vents! The whole bow-tie thing was a bit of a mystery to me until I saw your photo. That helped me find mine easily.

Thanks for updating the link in this thread!

I think I'm going to see if I can find a double sided vent to install the same way you've done your single. I'll pick up any singles I can find that look like they'll work, but I'd love to have a double sided one there. Fingers crossed. If I actually complete this project I'll be sure to come back with a report & photos.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by saintz

It's an 89 Brian but it is right hand drive.

Do you have factory A/C?

[gr jetson]

Hey Steve,

Do you have a link for Performance Aire? And do you have any better pictures of their center vent? I can't find them on the web.

Thanks, Greg

[scottb]

Originally Posted by gr jetson

Do you have a link for Performance Aire? And do you have any better pictures of their center vent?

Performance Air was (or is) a division of Scott's Independent Porsche Service in Orange County, CA. Here's the link: http://scottsind.com/

In years gone by they've emphasized a/c on the website. Now not so much.

Scott

[gr jetson]

Does anyone have any good pictures of the the Performance Aire center vent? I'd like to see how it differs from the Griffith one.

Thank you.

Cordially, Greg