Brand spanking new(obviously). I've been poking around and I've learned a lot. I'll be getting a gently used series 1 in a couple of weeks and I've already got an upgrade/part replacement schedule going. The question I have is one that cannot be found on the open web however, and here it is quite difficult as well. I've heard that the side fender vents in the S1 are functional. I have also read that in order to make them functional I'll have to cut out some plastic. The series ii's do not have vents. This leads me to believe that the vents are NOT functional. I thoroughly detest "fake speed", so this answer is very important to me. Whether or not I can do anything about it is something else. When I go look at the car I'll be able to see what's up, but that won't be for(like I said) a couple of weeks.

Any help would be appreciated.
Search function is a damn mess.

List of upgrades if you guys wanna give tips:
Replacement hoses(for rad)
Sohn Adapter
Water pump+Thermostat(temp reduction)
Odyssey battery
...later
BHR midpipe
HKS Hi-Power
17" wheels(really want to go down a size)

 

They are functional, to vent underhood air. The S2's have them too, they're just a little triangle shape instead of a strip. You don't need to remove anything from anywhere.

This is what's behind them: https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/...nt-removed.jpg

 

Thanks, yo.

 

LOL...not sure I would call them functional......

 

My understanding was they're for underhood pressure relief. Someone here did measurements over them a few years ago.

Is there something missing?

 

Wait, so they have no real application. What is "underhood pressure release"? The engine bay isn't a contained area. They don't actually vent anything is what I'm beginning to gather. Yes they have holes and yes air goes through them, but in reality they are all show.

I read on here that if one wants to make them work like they look, metal has to be cut?

 

According to my RX-8 book they are functional. But what does it F'ing matter anyway?

 

Over the years I've grown to truly detest fake stuff on cars. Audio getting piped in? A sin. Fake hood scoops? If they cannot be made useful with a bit of work, a sin. Those stupid vents on the sides of Mustangs? A sin. I understand style in cars, but to take something that had a purpose and reduce it to looks kills me. I'm a weird cat, but that kind of stuff really gets me. The RX8 would be the first car I own that has this kind of adornment; if the mesh and such did nothing I would try to find ways to remove it.

 

Are you just talking about where the side turn signal lights go?

 

I think you might want to clarify what function you expect from them. The engine bay is not a contained area, but at speed air needs to enter it via the radiator and has to exit somewhere. Otherwise pressure builds up under the hood and air can't effectively pass the radiator. Many cars vent it under the car, but we that's not ideal and we have a giant engine undertray anyway (which also has another aerodynamic function). Wheel wells are already high pressure areas so that's no good either. So fender vents give underhood air a clean way out.

Here's another way to know they're functional: let some oil sit on a hot part of the engine and go for a hot drive. Observe smoke exit via the vents. Not intentional in my case, but myth confirmed :p

Now if you want them to do something else, please describe what.

 

Well, then you are going to **** when you spot all the fake rotors.

 

*sensible chuckle
Thanks for that.

Nah, you cleared it up quite well. That's still useful. They aren't just eye candy(thumbs up).

 

They will do as much as that thermostat does. Barely anything.

Yes, I have modified my vents and I own the t-stat, so my opinion is completely unbiased.