Where do the v-drives breathe from?

[dschock]

After our first season with our new-to-us '00 2100v ltd, I started wondering where the engine gets it's air supply. As far as I can tell the only openings into the v-drive compartment are an inlet in the back and the hole in the engine cover around the pylon. This came to mind after hearing and feeling a strong suction through the pylon hole when driving at high speeds. This made me wonder as to whether or not it might be beneficial to add another air intake somewhere, so as to make it easier for airflow to reach the engine.

Anybody have any thoughts on this? Is it different on other v-drive models or years? I'd love to hear ANYTHING you have to say about this.

[lee]

You should have some air intakes by the front windshield on both sides of the walk thru that directs air down it to the stringer grid then into the engine compartment.

[dschock]

I had a post about this on wakeboarder.com and somebody said the same thing, but I checked and there is definitely nothing near the windshield or walkthrough. If anybody has a picture that would be great, then maybe I could make one myself. I'm sure I could run a Venturi-style vent with a tube down into the stringer or bilge that would be directed into the engine compartment.

Any other ideas besides that?

[GIZMO]

My 20v has no vents at the windshield, The engine compartment is not air tight it vents to the storage compartments on both sides. The compartment on the drivers side has a staight shot up the side to the dash and does not look obstructed.

GIZMO

[talltigeguy]

My 2005 24V has vents near the windshield.

There were definitely not vents there on my 2002 21V. I don't recall where the air came from...

[dschock]

Gizmo,

I didn't think about the the opening up to the drivers side below the dash. That is very true. So i guess my only problem would be if I wanted to seal off the engine compartment to make it quieter, then I might need air to come from elsewhere.

I'm starting to think that it's probably not that big of a deal. It's a 4 year old boat and doesn't have any major problems and the benefit of more airflow would probably be negligent (like a couple horsepower) compared the 315HP powerplant.

If anyone has any other thoughts, though, I'd love to hear them. It's kind of an interesting subject, as Tige has obviously decided to add air vents/intakes on their newer models. Maybe it has to do with the fact that they're sealing off the engine compartment more.

[Tige M.D.]

another reason for the air intakes that have been added is for venting heat out of the engine compartment. in other words the engine can vapor lock if the engine compartment gets hot enough after shutting down. over the years the engine space has shrunk to allow more usable storage for you, also cutting down on air intakes to cut noise levels has resulted in small hot engine spaces. so tige added two ugly vents to the transom and two vents under the windshield. as for the 21v, you can add some isodamp to the v-drive cover. but, as for a 315hp small block macking noise, it's all music to my ears.