New Mclaren MP4-12C offers inspiration idea....

lsgheero · 09-10-2009, 12:55 PM

So I was reading up on the new mclaren supercar and they did something that makes complete sense.... Now I haven't sat down and thought it through completely I'm sure there are probably several short comings to this idea.

Quote:

McLaren notes that powertrain packaging adds to the MP4-12C's handling, with the engine mounted low and the engine radiators rear mounted to save the weight of the piping and coolant going to the front of the car. It also concentrates the weight of the car within the wheelbase, reducing the polar moment--making the car easier to turn on its axis, making it easier to go around corners.

The exterior of the McLaren MP4-12C may be rather plain but that's what works best aerodynamically, according to McLaren. With the radiators placed longitudinally in the middle of the car, for example, side inlets are shaped to direct airflow over them, optimized by McLaren's "extensive computational fluid dynamics capability."

Now going off this... I know that there have been a few owners that have relocated the gas fill and placed another side vent in that side... *usually for CAI reasons...*

I also know that its fairly common to relocate the battery to the frunk and there are several docs regarding the subject.

So why couldn't someone do those mods. Then cutting the battery mounting section out entirely put in a radiator (the one from the front of the car might not fit... perhaps locating and using a different one would be necessary).

Thoughts, It's probably not something I will try anytime soon but I dont see why it couldn't be feasible... Once I get it all mapped out however I may try this just leaving the original rad/piping in place for a bit incase it needs reverted.

Raptor13x · 09-10-2009, 03:36 PM

To fully take advantage of that would involve completely redesigning the aerodynamics of the car. Also, just mounting the radiator in the engine bay is a lot of work for virtually no benefit. If anything, the car is going to have difficulty remaining cool.

Moving the radiator near the engine can be a good idea if you're designing the car from the ground up, but adapting it on an already-designed car is almost guaranteed to end up as a hack job.

MR JAS · 09-10-2009, 05:34 PM

i agree this would be a huge amount of work for no noticable benifit
remember the mclaren is in a class of cars where 0.001 second off your lap time matters

traintech86 · 09-11-2009, 03:16 PM

i like the idea, if someone can pull this off i think it would be a great idea!

MRH · 09-11-2009, 04:13 PM

I had a similar thought. make a trunk mounted radiator.

anyone with the willpower want to try this out?

-H

donnyavery · 09-11-2009, 04:32 PM

im started doing it a few weeks ago its still crude i have to make the under car air duct and wiring (using a after market controller)http://www.mr2.com/forums/attachment...1&d=1252701004

karl · 09-12-2009, 10:10 PM

ferrari has been building road cars that way for decades. i don't see how it's all that inspirational, other than they've found a way to market it.

09-11-2009, 04:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
donnyavery body tech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: berwick pa 18603 Posts: 663 Thanks: 23 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	im started doing it a few weeks ago its still crude i have to make the under car air duct and wiring (using a after market controller)http://www.mr2.com/forums/attachment...1&d=1252701004 Attached Thumbnails

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09-10-2009, 03:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Raptor13x Legendary Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 3,997 Thanks: 7 Thanked 44 Times in 37 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	To fully take advantage of that would involve completely redesigning the aerodynamics of the car. Also, just mounting the radiator in the engine bay is a lot of work for virtually no benefit. If anything, the car is going to have difficulty remaining cool. Moving the radiator near the engine can be a good idea if you're designing the car from the ground up, but adapting it on an already-designed car is almost guaranteed to end up as a hack job.

09-10-2009, 05:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
MR JAS Generous to a fault Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: hamilton new zealand Posts: 722 Thanks: 19 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i agree this would be a huge amount of work for no noticable benifit remember the mclaren is in a class of cars where 0.001 second off your lap time matters

09-11-2009, 03:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
traintech86 Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Yokosuka, Kanagawa Japan Posts: 1,802 Thanks: 27 Thanked 47 Times in 43 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	i like the idea, if someone can pull this off i think it would be a great idea!

09-11-2009, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
MRH 5SF-TorquE Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN Posts: 800 Thanks: 66 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I had a similar thought. make a trunk mounted radiator. anyone with the willpower want to try this out? -H

09-12-2009, 10:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
karl slowbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: robbinsdale, MN Posts: 546 Thanks: 2 Thanked 54 Times in 42 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	ferrari has been building road cars that way for decades. i don't see how it's all that inspirational, other than they've found a way to market it.