488 - side air vent remove/delete? | FerrariChat
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488 - side air vent remove/delete?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by sampelligrino, Mar 3, 2019.

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  1. sampelligrino

    sampelligrino Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2017
    1,245
    #1 sampelligrino, Mar 3, 2019
    Out of sheer curiosity (doesn't mean I would want to do this), does anyone know it might be feasible to delete the side air vent?

    Whether simply removing the side air vent, or crafting (waving my wand here) a GT3RS side intake ABS plastic intake cover to cover the holes once the side vent is removed? You'd need a new mesh cover that's for sure

    If it's not removable in any way, or if it would be a bad idea, well then there's my answer

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  2. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    Nov 11, 2003
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    #2 Motob, Mar 3, 2019
    Yeah that's a great idea. Ferrari has managed to achieve a new record for the highest aerodynamic efficiency of any of its road legal cars with the 488, and you think that removing an essential part of the system is a good idea.
    Those side air vents, know as the "Base bleed" air intakes not only provide air flow to the engine intakes, but the portion of the air flow above the flaps is redirected and vented over the tail of the car. This reduces drag generated by the wake by feeding energy in to the wake itself.
    I'm sure that Ferrari's engineers spent a huge amount of time designing and testing this system, and it is an integral part of the aerodynamic package.
     
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  3. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    #3 Motob, Mar 3, 2019
    See:
     
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  4. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #4 moysiuan, Mar 3, 2019
    The aftermarket keeps the same design presumably to preserve the function, but might improve the look. The OEM blades must be removable, there are quite a few aftermarket carbon fibre replacement options, the Capritso one pictured adds a bit more detail to the blade.

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  5. sampelligrino

    sampelligrino Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2017
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    #5 sampelligrino, Mar 4, 2019
    Thanks guys, I didn't know the side flap was removable so perhaps there are alternatives as much as I am an OEM guy

    Brian hope no offense taken was just curious. Same as Porsche guys wanting to put ducktails on their 911s or wing removal on a GT car, likely not a great idea but we car nuts sometimes can't help it :)
     
  6. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,632
    #6 Mitch Alsup, Mar 4, 2019
    The 458 with not quite 600 HP got away without the vents.
    The 488 with not quite 700 HP cannot (if used as designed).
    Now, if you just *****-foot around at 1/2 redline and 1/2 throttle, you probably could get away without the vents.
     
  7. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    #7 Motob, Mar 5, 2019
    If you want to get rid of the flaps in the vents just get a new 488 Pista or F8. Ferrari has redesigned the aerodynamics on those cars and has eliminated the flaps and "Base bleed" system.
     
  8. firewire

    firewire Rookie

    Feb 23, 2008
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    #8 firewire, Mar 7, 2019
    That would be suicidal

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  9. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
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    #9 A348W, Mar 8, 2019
    Whilst “we” might like to tinker with the looks of the cars, the aero and cooling is so intergral to the design these days; unless you are a)a cfd wiz kid b) have the right cfd model and c) test cases you are likely to have little idea what you are doing to the aero/cooling and hence handling and performance of the car.

    It doesn’t take much to completely “ f” it all up. Just look at the original TT and the requirement to fit the rear lip spoiler. Now take that forward circa 20 years in aero/cooling complexity/developmemt.
     
  10. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
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    Sep 18, 2002
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    #10 tbakowsky, Mar 8, 2019
    Remove the vents and enjoy. These cars dont get driven anywhere near there capability. I'm sure the Starbucks crowd will love it.

    The car will be lucky to see 160mph maybe twice in its life time.
     

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