airborne

wtf? I have never seen this, does anyone have it or any more details? Site just says:
"This mod is used to open the center hole in the front of the car up for increased airflow. Comes with all necessary parts to complete the job, including aluminum rods, and stainless steel hardware. Drilling is required."

And shows this pic:




For $40 it sounds interesting. I'm specifically wondering what it opens up and what needs to be drilled, though I'm guessing its the bumper reinforcement...


edit:and yes i just emailed them directly for info as well.

apneablue

I brightened it up a bit but i really can't see anything different than stock.



Probably those rods are spreading the mouth open an inch or so.

VTECthis

iTrader: (4)

it looks to me like it actually stretches the front opening in the bumper by prying it larger with two rods, i dont think thats the two endtanks for the intercooler, i think its two bars used to prop the bumper further open, hence "shark mod" as in the mouth opens wider.

airborne

I enlarged it to 800% and still can't tell from the pic. Agreed it just looks like it bends the bumper but don't know.

I'd like to remove the stock air guide (#3 in pic) and see what this does.

93BlackFD

that's why i liked the FMIC install

i removed all that bullshit

airborne

I cut one of the vertical plastic pieces on the airguide to enlarge the duct for my smic. But i was hesitant to even do that. I was using the old "they put it there for a reason" thinking.
But once you add a bigger rad and ic (especially front mount) then a number of the stock parts become insufficient/useless. the PITA of the airguide is i don't see how to remove it without removing the bumper. Which i've done and it is a pita fo' sho'.

jimlab

I suspect that the reason it's called the "shark mod" is probably because it looks a little like the bars on the front of the Corvette Tiger Shark...

JBC

I ordered this from N-tech but it did not correctly fit in my 95. I ended up using some threaded rods and nuts and washers from the hardware store. They cost me 5 bucks total.

airborne

if you have a second, could you elaborate a bit JBC?
what caused the fitment issue? also, sounds like you bought all the parts contained in the kit for $5, that right?
thanks

maxpesce

Here is a pic of the shark mouth mod on M2's old race car, the yellow fd near the center of the pic. (Sorry for the small size but i stole the pic from M2's web site)
Notice how the lower part of the rad opening is pushed way down.

Kento

If I'm not mistaken, the main purpose of the stock air guide is to help seal off the area just in front of the top of the radiator (in the stock rad location), in order to prevent airflow escaping through that area into the engine bay rather than through the rad core.

The N-Tech "shark mouth" mod appears to be an apparatus that opens up the intake nacelle a little bit wider than stock vertically. Not really sure that it would help that much (although again, I could be wrong), since you would be better off helping the rad and assorted cooling components be more efficient with the airflow exiting the engine bay. One of the reasons that I feel the engine belly pan is essential for efficient cooling.

Crash

Sorry to get off topic but, Kento are you the same Kento from sport rider?

Kento

yep.

WVRx7

It is a simple kit of prop rods and washers to "pry" open the snout of the car. The original configuration of the shout includes a much slimmer hole than possible and when you include fog lights and the black plastic that goes behind the fog lights you are left with a tiny hole for air to go through.

This modification was originally done by a good friend of mine (and of Nick's, N-Tech) in Florida. He did a single central threaded rod and used it to press down on the bottom of the lip. It worked great.

Nick improved and adapted this idea and created his "shark mod". It works great, but the most important thing to do to increasing cooling efficiency of your car is to block off the sides and bottom of the radiator so the air has no choice but to flow through the fins.

Kudos to Nick (N-Tech) for selling the equipment necessary to do this.

diablone

iTrader: (2)

rx7even has the N-Tech Shark mod.

rx7even

Here's mine. The kit works VERY good and looks awesome. I STILL havent tracked my car since I got these on, but Sergio has (owner of black car above) and doesn't have any overheating problems. Every little bit helps.

airborne

after seeing these pics and getting a good description from JBC (but none from ntech yet) i don't think this mod is for me. was hoping for something ...don't know, more 'thoughtful' then just bending the bumper? but whatever, it does look pretty badass on rx7even's car which btw i'd like to hear about the HM intercooler and what kind of wheels those are...

juliof

How about just removing the two plastic half moon peices on either side of the mouth opening.This should greatly increase airflow.

Alien7

iTrader: (1)

I've done that....every little bit helps! I have a track day next weekend, so we'll see how it performs.

apneablue

I've removed mine too...Can't understand why they were there in the first place...Seems pretty dumb to me.

Anyway, JBC, can you post some pics of how you did yours using the Home Depot method? Seems like this would work great for me considering I have the Greddy FMIC and the stock bumper covers up about 2" of the IC core.

racerfoo

sorry but....half moon pieces?? what are those?

93BlackFD

they're on cars without foglights

apneablue

The stock front end...you know, before someone with sense got a hold of it, has two plastic half moon shaped pieces of plastic that are basically blocking airflow...they narrowed the bumper opening by about 3-4 inches on each side. Pretty worthless pieces to be honest.

juliof

How hard is it to remove those plastic half moons,and how much of a temp drop is there with them removed.

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

Here is a single bolt version that I copied from a racer friend of mine. Notice that the side plastic curtains/plates are also removed. Aluminum shields are also fitted underneath to prevent air flow loss. Sorry but not the best picture. Nose is also dirty.