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So I was reading up on Xviper's original wind turbulence threads, and came across a mod I've been wanting to do since I got the car - block the roll hoops to cut down on the amount of air that comes into the cabin from behind your head. I know Rick's sells shields that insert into the seat, but imo that doesn't block the air as well as shields in the bigger roll hoops.
I made a rough template and cut some plexiglass along his lines. Here is my template and directions:
I started by making the template out of foil and carboard - its hard to get an exact match, but I got close with the 3D materials, and then scanned in the outline and made a smoother template on the computer. To save you the trouble, here's my template:
My template isn't perfect, but its a good estimation to get you started.
Next, to the store for materials. You'll need plexiglass and silicone.
I bought two 8x10" plexiglass sheets from Lowe's (SKU 55844 - just over $3 for two sheets) and some GE "Silicone II" Window & Door sealant ($2-3).
Tools: I used a Dremel with two cutting/sanding bits - the disc and the drum.
How I did it:
Start with the template - put the plexi over it and draw an outline on the plexi. (I used a Sharpie fine point)
Cut the shape. I used a dremel with the cutting discs for the general shape and then the drum to sand it down to roughly what will fit. The cutting discs have some trouble with the curves as they start rubbing on the outer plexi as you curve around, so I would go along the outline for a bit, then cut in and lop of chunks of the excess plexi.
The template gets you close, then just sand the plexi with the dremel and drum to fit (snugly-ish) into the loopholes. My shapes weren't perfect, but they filled 99% of the hole.
Spend a lot of time here test fitting - pay attention to where the plexi looks close, where its too big, and just sand down bit by bit - you'll have lots of small gaps, but silicone will fill them no problem. Just make sure you don't make the shield too small - it will be a pain to fit and it won't be as secure.
Remove the plastic covering the plexi.
Pop them in, and use a silicone to hold them in place. I think silicone will also keep any whistling from happening from my small gaps. I used a clear GE silicone for doors and windows that will never fully dry. The idea is I can remove it later if necessary. Don't worry if you get silicone on the shields - you can rub it off once its dry.
I'm also thinking about adding small black rubber nubs in front to help keep the shields secure, just in case, but after the silicone sealed, a good bit of pressure didn't budge the shields. They've been wind tested to 120 mph and stayed put though .
I'll post pics soon, but the results are immediate and effective - no more wind on the back of your neck and cabin turbulance seems decreased in general. Driving around town at 45 mph, with no crosswind, you feel some wind over your left shoulder, on the top of your head (I'm 5'11") and on your right arm on the center console, but nothing hitting you in the back of the head like before. All for about $5.
The silicone did not end up drying clear, but opaque.
There's a difference between open top motoring where you feel the wind and where you're flogged by the wind. This is a great mod for those of use who a) even own an S2000, and not a Crown Vic , and b) want to be able to talk with our passenger without shouting while we drive.
Blocking the air that comes in from the hoops keeps wind turbulence down and makes open top motoring more liveable - The S2000 has so much space between the windshield and the passenger that a lot of turbulence gets into the cabin - anyone who has driven a convertible where the windshield is closer to your head knows what I'm talking about.
I think these inserts with Rick's wind screen would make the cabin a much more pleasant place at highway speeds.
Originally Posted by Saki GT,Apr 25 2007, 01:35 PM
This is a great mod for those of use who a) even own an S2000, and not a Crown Vic , and b) want to be able to talk with our passenger without shouting while we drive.
I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but I have had that mod in since 02. I think Modify makes it. They only cost about $20.00 if I am not mistaken. By the way they really do cut down on cabin noise.
Cut down on cabin wind turbulence mod
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, and b) want to be able to talk with our passenger without shouting while we drive.
