Oil cooler shroud

[toddu]

I'm almost done mounting my in-fender oil cooler and building a shroud for it. What I'm wondering, is what I should do about protecting the face of the cooler. If I could find some kind of louver to fit, that would be great (but I doubt that's going to happen).

How effective is putting some mesh wire on there going to be? It will at least protect from larger objects, but little stone coming off the tires, probably not so much.

Thoughts??

Here is where I'm at so far. I have a top piece for behind the AN fittings.

[Jdub]

You might have great luck with a pre-fabricated house foundation vent screen or two (unless you want to go custom - plenty of places to help you there). They come in many sizes and will keep the majority of stone away from the valuable fins. I would mount it using the four 5 x .8 (?) hex bolts you are using - keep the edges of the screen flat, but bow the screen so it arches over your cooler.

Additionally, purchase the split foam tubing that you use to cover pipes to keep from freezing and push that around the outside edge of your tinwork. You would need something that covers ~ 1/4" pipe but this will help prevent "flow-around" of air.

[aston@ultrasw.c]

You could try to find the louver panel from the later Carreras.

Or do a search for "aluminum hood louvers" you might find something you could adapt.

Or go to McMaster-Carr they have all kinds of stainless mesh.

[toddu]

Originally Posted by Jdub

Additionally, purchase the split foam tubing that you use to cover pipes to keep from freezing and push that around the outside edge of your tinwork. You would need something that covers ~ 1/4" pipe but this will help prevent "flow-around" of air.

Yes, I have intentionally left space around the shroud to add the foam tubing.

Todd

[quattrorunner]

I had to use mesh as the louvers had clearance issues. It works fine.

[HawgRyder]

If you want custom louvres...try an old school type of car custom shop.
They might have an old machine for making them.
Bob

[toddu]

Originally Posted by quattrorunner

I had to use mesh as the louvers had clearance issues. It works fine.

Clearance with the tire?

I found this place. Need to measure, but think they may work. 928 Motorsports - Porsche® Performance Parts - Hood Louvers - Fender Louvres - Porsche® 928 World record Holder 216.63537 mph. Would add another 1.4 to the thickness of the cooler, which I don't think will be an issue.

Todd

[JeremyD]

I used the factory piece.

[fanaudical]

I toyed with the idea of HVAC louvers, but couldn't find anything quite the right size. I eventually used two layers of the "gutter guard" aluminum screen - it seems to work very well and will be easy to replace after taking a few big rocks.