My spin on hood vents

[Calan]

So this last weekend, I got the spare hood out and started working on my hood vents...since I don't have enough other projects going on.

They will consist of an aluminum frame mounted to the bottom side of the hood, and blended in on top with fiberglass and filler. The frame and mesh will be removable, and powdercoated black.

The frames are made out of 3/4" aluminum angle, cut and bent to form the lip of the vents. The two frames were then welded together and stiffened. In the image below you can see the fixture I built for shaping the frames.

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I used the frame to mark a pattern on the hood, and then cut the opening using a drill, die grinder, and dremel. Once the opening was roughed out, I drilled holes and welded SS machine screws from the top to hold the frame. The heads were then ground down, and will later be covered with filler.

And, welding the screws to paper thin metal was almost impossible to do without burning them up. If you look closely, you may be able to see that I have two missing ones that need to be replaced.

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Test fitting and adjusting:

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I've still got a few details to work out (like how to do the filler and blending while allowing for powdercoat and still allowing the frame to drop out), but it's starting to come together.

Challenging project!

 

[Funfettie]

very cool! im excited to see it painted

 

[dsmcrzy]

Wow a lot of work into that so far! Looks good!

Are you going to be putting any ducting under the hood? And why so far back? Any reason?

 

[1qkfwd]

I like this a lot.

One thing, wouldnt it be stronger if you welded a tab to the hood on the bottom side where each screw is suppose to go. Kind of add some support.

 

[cait sith]

Why did you put them right over the valve cover?

 

[TSiAWD666]

That looks like it would be over the valve cover (not sure, I don't have a 1g). If so and that's for a street car you may need to create a valve cover...cover to protect from rain/snow. Something like this:

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Something to think about. I also might remove the rear trailing edge once the vent is put in place to help with airflow out of the vent. Leave the leading edge in place.

 

['97boostinGST]

Good stuff

 

[Calan]

Are you going to be putting any ducting under the hood? And why so far back? Any reason?

Why did you put them right over the valve cover?

No ducting.

The vents are where they are because:

1. It is a flat spot on the hood, and they fit perfectly between the bracing with very little trimming

2. I didn't want to remove heat from the turbo; just the top side of the engine where it builds up mostly during idle and city driving.

One thing, wouldnt it be stronger if you welded a tab to the hood on the bottom side where each screw is suppose to go. Kind of add some support.

The aluminum frame adds some rigidity. I didn't have any room to do much reinforcing, other than the frame itself. The fiberglass should add some rigidity as well, and the bracing is still in tact.

...you may need to create a valve cover...cover to protect from rain/snow.

I'm working on (in my head) some sealed "plugs" that will block them off if needed. I'm not making a lot of progress on this part yet though.

I also might remove the rear trailing edge once the vent is put in place to help with airflow out of the vent. Leave the leading edge in place.

Hmmmm... that's not a bad idea John, if I can still add enough glass to hide the screw heads on the back side.

*****

Thanks for all the comments guys.

 

[Calan]

Got a bit more done on the vents, so here are some updated pics.

I wrapped tape around the aluminum frame to form a spacer and non-stick surface, and then bolted it in place and started adding fiberglass. The surface was sanded to bare metal with 50 and 80 grit, and then scratched up and cleaned with acetone. I used soft fiber cloth in the first layer, and fiber matt in a second layer further out from the vents.

I also added fiberglass between parts of the webbing and the skin on the bottom side of the hood, which added a lot of strength and rigidity.

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Once the glass cured, I removed the tape and sanded everything (with the frame back in place) to form the rough contours.

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Next was a couple of layers of Bondo, with a lot of sanding between each.

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I then removed the frame, cleaned up the edges of the opening, and primed the area with white primer to get an idea of how it was going to look.

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After another coat or two of primer, I painted the frame and vents satin black, and bolted them up. Once completed, they will be powder coated gloss black.

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So far, I'm fairly pleased with how they look. I still have some more sanding and filling to do (along with welding in some hood strut supports, cleanup on the bottom side, figuring out how to paint it, etc)... but it's getting there!

 

[Ravenous]

Calan, I love the professional fit and finish that you bring to everything you do. I can't wait to see it on the car. I may have to do something like this myself!

 

[Calan]

Thanks.

I get lucky and stumble onto something every now and then. I try hard to leave out all the mistakes and dumbass stuff that happens when I write these threads.

 

[joescool2008]

Thanks.

I get lucky and stumble onto something every now and then. I try hard to leave out all the mistakes and dumbass stuff that happens when I write these threads.

You should put that stuff in so we do not make the same mistakes . Definately looks good.

 

[Calan]

You should put that stuff in so we do not make the same mistakes

Ok... here's a tip.

Don't assume you can balance the hood with one hand while it's standing vertically on a stool, while you squat down to pick up a dropped screw. The hood will come crashing down onto your head, embedding the welded stainless steel vent screws into your skull with enough force to bend them severely.

It's worse when there is a woman standing in the doorway laughing and watching you bleed, while trying to explain where you went wrong.


Or so I've heard anyway.

 

[H@xtGSX]

That sounds like me in my shop... I just tell people that chicks dig scars, and then act like it didn't happen.

That vent looks like it smoothed in well with the kitty hair and bondo... I have been considering making one myself, but I've been trying to come up with a way to make it more of a cowl down instead lipping it up. That looks like it'll work well for the daily traffic heat, for sure.

 

[c2ypt1c]

Ok... here's a tip.

Don't assume you can balance the hood with one hand while it's standing vertically on a stool, while you squat down to pick up a dropped screw. The hood will come crashing down onto your head, embedding the welded stainless steel vent screws into your skull with enough force to bend them severely.

Good to know!

Those vents are looking nice man! Can't wait to see how it turns out...

 

[Calan]

I just tell people that chicks dig scars...

If that was true, I'd have a freakin' harem by now.

But just in case I do happen to run across one or two of those scar-digging nymphomaniacs, I now have two more to add to the collection.

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(There may have been a beer or three involved in the making of this episode).

 

[chinola69]

That sounds like me in my shop... I just tell people that chicks dig scars, and then act like it didn't happen. :

Shane Falco "Pain heals" - YouTube

 

[turboglenn]

loks great man, nice work.. It's nice too see others that put their full pride, effort and thought into every project they do, I haven't seen a single mod or how-to you've posted with the tiniest amount of half-assing of anything, Kudos to you my man!

 

[greengoblin]

That is looking great Craig! Scars included.