INCREASE AIR FLOW

This simple, no cost, modification will substantially increases the air volume/flow (CFM) through the cockpitvents. Although the temperature remains the same, the increased air velocity make it feel much cooler. On thefootwellfirewall, covering the recirculation air intakes, are aluminum blanking panels that can be removed,thereby increasing, dramatically, the volume of air that enters the system. The driver’s side intake is totallyblocked & removal necessitates drilling out the 4 pop rivets that secure the panel. The passenger side panel, whichonly partially blocks the intake, is held on by 2 rivets.

Caution; a)If the nose air intakes are not sealed (see below), removal of these panels may create a back-draft trough the footwell intakes when either the A/C or heater is turned off, which is the reason Lotus installed them. A solution isto use “Velcro” on the removed panels to enable temporary installation when needed.b)As a precaution against the drilled out rivets falling into the ducting on the other side of the bulkhead, do not drill out the complete head of the rivet. Only remove enough of the head to pull the panel off and then apply a littleglue or silicone caulk to retain the remaining rivet.

COCKPIT VENT AIRFLOW ................RECIRC. OFF................RECIRC. ON

.................................................. ....(Outside vents open)...........(Outside vents closed)

Footwell vent closed (normal)----------27mV........................16mV Footwell vent open (modified)----------50mV.......................45mV

There is a greater airflow at the vents with the outside air intakes open, but that air, in the A/C mode, is warm,unconditioned and could result in a higher cockpit vent temperature.Note – Higher voltage (mV) equals greater air flow

Credit to "Insane" for above test

SEALING FRONT AIR INTAKES

- USE ONLY RECIRCULATED (CONDITIONED) AIRTo better understand the HVAC system it would be better to describe the “recirculation” switch as “shut off outside air switch”. Air is always being drawn from within the vehicle (recirculated). When the recirculationswitch it pressed on, it activates a flap valve that closes off the outside air that is drawn in from the nose airintakes. It has been noted that this flap valve has a tendency to leak, thereby introducing unwanted warmer (A/Cmode) or cooler (heater mode) into the system. A very simple modification is to tape over the two air intakes (seebelow photo) in the nose of the car using duct tape. There is a possibility that outside air could still enter thesystem though gaps in the heater / AC box.

Credit to "ZAMMY1"

WINDOW FILMS (TINTING)

- REDUCES HEAT LOAD ON A/CReducing the solar energy through the glass areas has a substantial effect on reducing the cockpit temperature thatthe A/C has to cool. The latest, and arguably the best film isCrystalline Window Filmwhich has the distinctadvantage of having a clear version that could be used on the windshield (check local laws). Because of itstechnology, "Crystalline", being unlike other films, stops more solar heat, even in its clear version. Note; clear invehicle glass terms is 70% light transmittal. I used "Crystalline" on both door windows, the windshield and therearwindowand saw a temperature reduction on top of the dash, typically, of approximately 30’F