Interest Check: Front Hood Louvers

[Mechie3]

10-29-14 update: FS thread here:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?16101-Hood-Louvers-Zero-Decibel-Motorsports

I prototyped my first set of front hood louvers. They need some tweaking but will look much like they do now. The plan is to make them work with plastic edging trim like Aloha 818 used to provide a more finished OEM look than the flat FFR trim rings. It will require that you shave a little bit of the flange that the FFR trim rings sit on.

I haven't had these quoted yet, but they'll certianly be less thatn $100. I'm hoping I can get them down around $60 but it's all speculation at this point.

You can see the filled in section herej at the top, it will be eliminated in the next design:
http://i.imgur.com/9YazinH.jpg

Lots of airflow:
http://i.imgur.com/8ap6LlT.jpg

Front view. You can see the left vent is a little deformed at the bottom from the hammer, this is being changed to make it easier to bend by hand:
http://i.imgur.com/H8DoRVQ.jpg

Front view showing louver vs FFR supplied mesh, both sides have FFR style trim rings:
http://i.imgur.com/E5esTNW.jpg

[wleehendrick]

Looks nice, I may spring if the price comes in closer to $50 than $100. All my stock pieces have already been powdercoated, so I'd factor in another run.

[Mechie3]

Sounds good. It'll all depend on what the shop comes back as with their quote. I plan to make a rear trunk lid louver too. Hoping to get that designed and prototyped this week so if people want both they can save on shipping and powdercoating.

[metros]

YES, Y E S, Yes! Looks much better than the mesh. Put me down as number 1 on the list.

I'd still like if you made a gas pedal mount too. The design I used is simple, but would be tons better in thicker aluminum. CNC the outline of the gas pedal onto it to provide a perfect fit.

[Ethan818]

Hell yes! I'm in for the hood louvers + a matching rear hatch set if you can make it work.

[Frank818]

Yes I am interested. And also I would really really want adjustable louvers for the side vents, in order to redirect the airflow properly in the engine bay.

One for the front bottom intake (big scoop) would also be appreciated.

[Mechie3]

Revision 2 of my front louver. The forward most piece is much easier to bend by hand, The rear has a small louver that can be bent down (not sure if this will stay or be removed), corner radii are 1" minimum so it will work with the Aloha818 plastic trim method vs the flat FFR trim rings, and it's .087" thick vs .050" thick. Lastly, I changed the angle of the curve slightly to make it a little closer to the hood swoop.

http://i.imgur.com/wQ7d3s9.jpg

[matteo92065]

Are you going to make side vents to match? Just a thought.
Did I miss what it is made out of? I'm assuming aluminum. I wonder how stainless steel would look.

[Mechie3]

Aluminum. I would assume most people would be powdercoating these and not leaving them bare. They could probably be made in stainless but would weigh a bit more and be harder to bend.

I've thought about side vents. Those are farther down the list. Next is the rear trunk vent, then a rear between the lights vent and something for the rear lower opening. For the sides my lofty goal is to have CF scoops made.

[wleehendrick]

For the sides my lofty goal is to have CF scoops made.

In for those!

[Frank818]

I've thought about side vents. Those are farther down the list. Next is the rear trunk vent, then a rear between the lights vent and something for the rear lower opening. For the sides my lofty goal is to have CF scoops made.

Too bad for me. Side vents and the big front bottom opening are my priorities as I think they are the ones that would benefit the most from louvers (of course depending on what one is doing with those vents). I'll keep watching your list growing until it reaches these. :)
I'm sure with any of the 818 vents you could make enough money to make it worth. :)

Surprise us! :)

[Mechie3]

Its been hit or miss. Some items I sell enough to break even and have a few items left over and others sell enough to fund the next project. :lol: my biggest challenge at this point is marketing. Without bumping my threads every other day people don't always hear about my stuff. I tend to dislike it on other forums when people bump threads constantly with no new updates so I try not to be what I dislike.

[nkw8181]

Well after a hiatus from the forums (to work on seat mounting) you seam to have quite a few more parts. I'll be making another order to include these, the rear as well as sides if you make them.

[flynntuna]

Your on the right track, and I like your ideas and your stepping up and giving the community a chance to participate in your mods and designs.

Personally I like some of the mods that some of the GTM builders have done:

[apexanimal]

it really seems like we should have a vendor subsection in the 818 forums so we all know where to look for products...

it would make it a whole lot easier, and vendors wouldn't have to feel bad for bumping their threads over tech discussions...

[nkw8181]

I second that motion because I am sure there are lots of parts that I'm completely unaware of :)

[Canadian818]

it really seems like we should have a vendor subsection in the 818 forums so we all know where to look for products...

it would make it a whole lot easier, and vendors wouldn't have to feel bad for bumping their threads over tech discussions...

Agreed! I've had a busy summer, missed a lot I'm sure.

[Mechie3]

Bumping this up. I made a little tweak to one of the radii as I didn't like how the edging trim fit. I'm making two sets of these right now (literally this very second), shipping them to opposite sides of the country, and making sure they fit well on both East coast and West coast cars. haha Sending out the drawings for quoting today as well.

[thall818]

First off, your stuff looks great. I love the attention to detail and will eventually put an order together. I like to combine and save on shipping. Who doesn't, right?

With that being said, I need like an afternoon to dedicate to looking through the forum and on your facebook page to find all your parts and prices. Everson's page, for example, is simple and to the point. Made ordering very easy.

Just my two cents. Please keep up the awesome work. I really think your sales will improve dramatically if it's easier for your customers to figure out.

[Mechie3]

I've got a guy working on a site in exchange for parts. I'll have to ping him tonight.

[thall818]

Craig, if you can post on here and add pictures, you can do it yourself and accept paypal with very little time or effort. $10/mo. Pick a background, a name, post a pic.

http://www.register.com/product/websitedesign/doitmyself-ecommerce.rcmx

Here's a sample site: http://store.turtlebeach.com/

Of course, the capitalist in me is already regretting telling you this, as I would like to trade parts for posting pics ;)

[Mechie3]

Thall, I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

I got some quotes back. A pair of hood louvers will go for $50. They're very similar to the ones in post 7. I made minor adjustments to a few radii. Users will need to supply their own trim. Many auto parts stores have it in black. Ebay has it in black and other colors. I'll start an official FS thread shortly.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6M-Car-Door-Edge-Plastic-Guard-Mold-Protector-Clear-Black-/351160126251?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51c2c64b2b&vxp=mtr

FS thread now located here:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?16101-Hood-Louvers-Zero-Decibel-Motorsports

[Mechie3]

I prototyped a new set of louvers today. These will mount a little bit differently. Instead of fitting in the FFR provided hole, they extend back where the rear corner is at the 12" mark and aligns with the frame rail. This lets the battery area be boxed off for storage/whatever and lets you create a chute for air coming off the radiator. The rear curve matches the curve of the edge of the shallow depression on the hood. I'll modify my hood this weekend and post pics of it in place. The side support frame won't be visible when installed.

http://i.imgur.com/4nGGEK8.jpg

[Frank818]

What corner?
How long are they?

[Mechie3]

The longest corner. Its actually a little over 12" as the frame tucks under. The shortest corner is about 3" longer than my first design.

I dont really plan to make a set to fit the full recessed area as I dont want a set myself so my time is better spent elsewhere. Vraptorworks is making those I think.

[RM1SepEx]

These are exactly what I've been wanting... gets them up to the top of the hood, the rear ends up being open with fiberglass below the louver, edges finished with vinyl. Can't wait to get my set...

[Mechie3]

Cut up my hood tonight. I like how these turned out. Removing the deep recess in the hood really improves the look by eliminating the straight rear line and eliminating the uneven levels. I like the larger size and the swept rear end and think it flows better with the hood. The sides of the cutout are just about flush with the underside, the rear shallow depression extends under the last fin (or conversely, the fin hangs over the depression), and the front of the cutout has a slight lip to it as the hood has a minor bulge on the leading edge. The fins stick up above the hood slightly and can be altered depending on how far or little you bend the louvers.

Swept louver next to the FFR sized louver:
http://i.imgur.com/Vg3WrQ9.jpg

Rough Cut (what came out). After removing this with a dremel and cut off wheel I cleaned the edges with barrel, belt, and palm sanders and a hand file. I recommend making the corners where the transition from no lip to the drop for the rear depression is have rounded corners to prevent future stress fractures.
http://i.imgur.com/e0PLxLX.jpg

Mostly cleaned up hole. I put some trim on the rear edge (I reused the trim from the FFR sized hole as to not waste fresh stuff for a test fit so it has a kink in it). The side edges don't need trim.
http://i.imgur.com/VZQSd3e.jpg

Held in place with foam:
http://i.imgur.com/UQiSBY4.jpg

Another angle:
http://i.imgur.com/mX6NdmC.jpg

From the back. The weird wave pattern is the reflection of the foam strip underneath holding it up:
http://i.imgur.com/cKgUxnM.jpg

Side View:
http://i.imgur.com/v61Nmih.jpg

[Kurk818]

I agree, the larger louver is more fitting and functional. Nice work

[TouchStone]

Now I'm interested in these!

To mount are you planning on gluing them from the underside?

[Mechie3]

Yes. The same way The other louvers and grills are attached.

[RM1SepEx]

Just like the engineer requested! :o AWESOME

[Hindsight]

Love the big version. I'm in! Let me know when I can send you money!

[flynntuna]

Ditto, now they look both functional and awesome! It looks like the back edge reaches the cross tubing between the shock tower, correct?

[RM1SepEx]

yes, not only that but that last fin sits over the recess so there is air that c an flow underneath the final fin...

It was designed so that the crossbar could be used for a wall-o-aluminum with rubber edging to seal off the top. I won't need my standoff any more!

[Frank818]

Pretty cool!! Now Brandon (or is it Chad?) should give them a try and see if his hood still wobbles at high speed. This would test their functionality.

[apexanimal]

looks much improved

[NorCal Ray]

The bigger louvers look great, I will take a set, let me know the price. Thanks, NorCal Ray

[matteo92065]

Wow, that really changes the look of the hood vent. I really like it. I'll take a set.

[Mechie3]

Sent it out for quote this AM.

[STiPWRD]

Those look great! Interested

[C.Plavan]

Those look awesome

[Mechie3]

Got the quote back. My cost is 2x what the small louvers were (not surprised). Who is interested at $75/pair?

[Hindsight]

I'd buy them

[Mechie3]

What price do you think is fair? The smaller ones I had sold for $50. The Vraptor ones are $129 for the GTM and $99 for the roadster and miata. Size wise I think these fall in between my small ones and the roadster ones.

[C.Plavan]

I think $75 for a pair is totally fair.

[metros]

I agree, I think that pricing is fair. Honestly I'm going to compare and contrast the 2 different styles of hood louver before committing. I did buy a set the first time around but do like the improvements in design that have been made.

[Hindsight]

Easy guys! I'm not complaining. It's an interest check and I'm saying that at the $75 mark, they are still worth it to me to buy so I'm still interested, but if they were much more, I probably wouldn't go for it. Just trying to help gauge interest by adding my own input.

[Mechie3]

lol. I didn't take it the wrong way and didn't mean my remarks to come off as snide if they did. I was just looking for honest comments. Trying to balance the sell a few at a high cost (ferrari) vs sell many at a low cost (Nissan Versa). I'd rather be somewhere in the middle where enough people can benefit and it's worth my time.

[Canadian818]

Price is fair, I'm in.

[Hindsight]

I was in a hurry at work when I sent that first reply so it was probably my comment that came off as snide. Anyway, I do think $75 is a fair price for what it is but I just personally wouldn't spend more.... only because I'm buying so many extra gotta-have parts that you and the other vendors keep putting out. So my opinion on price has more to do with where I am in "budgeting" (if you'd call it that) my build than the fair value of the piece itself.

[Mechie3]

I'm skewed the other way. I have access to machines so I tend to say "yeah, I'd pay $5 for that!". Giving away all my parts for free isn't so good for business though. hahaha!

[nkw8181]

Dang it that looks nice. Hmmm I have the first set. I may try to get those on first then decide if I want the larger. Plus these are already powder coated to match the frame.

[metros]

No worries Hindsight. I was just throwing my hat in the ring as well.

[Mechie3]

Ordered 10 sets of these today.

[Mechie3]

Got these in hand now. I'll make up a FS thread soon, but they're ready if you want them.

[Hindsight]

Payment sent!

[Mechie3]

Got it! I'll ship them out ASAP.

[flynntuna]

I imagine you lose a lot of the stiffness in the hood when when the vent area is cut out. How much reinforcement to the hood should be added to take out the flexing that will come from this mod?

[RM1SepEx]

no stiffness to lose! :rolleyes: Ha the hood is a wet noodle anyway, not sure how to stiffen it yet, when I have everything else buttoned up I'll look at hood stifness. It will help when/if you add a wall of AL at the shock tower brace "box" up to the underneath of the hood for airflow.

[Mechie3]

You do lose some because the deep depression gets cut out which provided a vertical component of polar inertia. However, that deep depression provided more local stiffness than global stiffness (IMO). The rear of the hood is still flexible and the front isn't much better.

For those that didn't catch this tidbit in the FS thread, I'll put it here too:

These larger louvers have an open surface area of 94.75 square inches compared with 44.6 square inches per each small louver. That's a 112% increase in surface area! (there is some surface area lost due to the cross section of the fins not included in calculations).

In addition, the FFR mesh has 38.4 square inches of surface area, but the mesh is only about 70% open (IIRC) for an effective surface area of 26.9square inches.