139 replies to this topic

[ChrisA]

Looking at a couple options on McMaster-Carr, http://www.mcmaster....121/442/=vyc8o3

What's best the extra ridged crimped or welded? Looking at parts# 9253T26 or 9322T62

 

[38bfast]

Honeycomb material. Very common in open wheel and sports racers

[Alberto]

I just buy the stuff at the local hardware store and zip tie it to the air guide.  Cheap and easy.

[Parity]

Whatever style you choose, make sure you pay attention to the .25" dimension in the rules. Numerous cars had to change them out last year at NASA nationals.

[ChrisA]

Honeycomb material. Very common in open wheel and sports racers

Have that on the car now, but the openings are too small for regs.

[ChrisA]

I just buy the stuff at the local hardware store and zip tie it to the air guide.  Cheap and easy.

I tried that before and it was garbage. Lowe's/HD stuff was rolled, too flexible and wouldn't take a shape; kept wanting to curl. That was a welded, galvanized wire, fwiw.

[Sean - MiataCage]

Your waisting your time on anything that is not stainless.  The galvanized crap at HD and Lowes isn't very strong at all.  Most good radiators are in the $500.00+ price range so why skimp on the part that is protecting the expensive radiator.  

 

Just my 2 cents.... Sean

[Ron Alan]

Your waisting your time on anything that is not stainless.  The galvanized crap at HD and Lowes isn't very strong at all.  Most good radiators are in the $500.00+ price range so why skimp on the part that is protecting the expensive radiator.  

 

Just my 2 cents.... Sean

+1. Do you have a good source Sean?

[Jeff Wasilko]

https://www.pegasusa...?GroupID=SCREEN

 

I think the 4 openings per inch would be what you need.

[ChrisA]

https://www.pegasusa...?GroupID=SCREEN

 

I think the 4 openings per inch would be what you need.

No, the openings are too small. They must be no smaller than .25"

 

Take a looks at the two I referenced at McMaster-Carr, they are both Stainless Steel, within Spec and the same wire gauge. I'm just not sure whether the extra ridgid crimped or the welded is better option.

[Jim Creighton]

Note to self--add radiator screen size to next compliance list.

 

Thanks all.

[Todd Lamb]

The thing is, I don't imagine any of us care what the screen size is....why is this even a rule? And if someone says aero.....

[Pat Ross]

+1

[Jim Creighton]

Hey, you guys write your rules. Then, you leave it up to me to enforce them. If you don't like a rule, get rid of it. Not my call to decide which rules to enforce and which to not enforce. Write your congressman!

 

[Bench Racer]

BIIDSYCYCan't

[Steve Scheifler]

... of consistent mesh size... and serves no other function.

Were people using very fine mesh to reduce flow though one side of the radiator or effectively duct it? Where does it say I can't use multiple staggered layers?

Former SMAC, remind us why this exists?

Probably the same reason we can tape over part of the radiator but not over the mesh or grille.

[MPR22]

I believe the NASA rules do not exactly match the SCCA's on this particular subject.  They do have specific minimums on size of mesh, IIRC.

[Todd Lamb]

Probably the same reason we can tape over part of the radiator but not over the mesh or grille.

Yeah that one too....dumb rules.

[Parity]

9.1.7.5 - A radiator screen of 1/4 inch minimum mesh may be added in front of the radiator. The screen must be installed behind the front bumper cover and attached to the air guide. Tape and/or other materials may not be applied to the mesh or in the radiator opening in the bodywork. Tape or other materials may only be added directly to the radiator.

 

Believe it or not at NASA nationals folks had to change out a bunch of screens because they were closer to 3/16".One guy had a diamond shape opening where the long side was larger than .25" but  the smaller was less but they determined his was compliant. Strange rule, stranger enforcement.

 

Come to think of it, I probably would have won the race if had true screen parity.

[Bench Racer]

The rule specifies MAY, don't install a screen. With reference to areo, how about if there were no tape/block rule and someone spent a gazillion $$$ on a radiator and at the external body taped/covered 80% of big opening where air enters. Aero,