Are these side louvers just for looks?

[Theshandman]

Does anyone have the Finish Line side louvers (https://www.**********accessories.com/p-15-louvers-aluminum-side-vents.aspx)? They look like sturdy enough cast alum(?) but the picture on their web page makes it appear they are closed up and don't offer any air flow which if so, poses a multi-part question: Is engine compartment exhaust air flow at that place a good idea (did the original AC models have them or did Shelby add them due to the large engines he put in his cars compared to the in-line 6 engines of the original Brit AC Ace model), and if those FL louvers really are closed up what good are they other than cosmetic bling (and something to fill the cut-outs F5 puts in the body)?

[Mike.Bray]

I have a set from **********, they're nice quality. Would recommend.

Yes, they are open and allow airflow through them.

[GoDadGo]

You can really make the Factory-5 louvers look great if you follow my instructions shown below:

https://youtu.be/QyMN73IW6I8

They look far better than I anticipated once the car was painted and completed:

https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

Just be careful if you choose to do the bending by hand because the metal is sharp.

[JohnK]

The Finish Line side louvers are identical to the upgraded FFR side louvers (P/N 15659) in the "popular options" section of the configurator (+$85). They are a nice upgrade over the basic louvers and are open. How much air actually flows through them... I have no idea.

[Hoooper]

More openings in the side and hood are good, reduces the amount of air exiting through the bottom which decreases the front end lift at speed. Bonus points for going bigger than "stock" for the side vents

[Mike.Bray]

The Finish Line side louvers are identical to the upgraded FFR side louvers (P/N 15659) in the "popular options" section of the configurator (+$85). They are a nice upgrade over the basic louvers and are open. How much air actually flows through them... I have no idea.

I had ordered the upgraded louvers with my kit and on the final review FFR said they were no longer available. Apparently they had one guy making them for FFR and he decided to retire or quit. The ones from ********** look to be about as open as they can be so the airflow should be fine. As I said above, the quality is good.

[JohnK]

Eh, I don't know if I buy that story. Not doubting that this is what they told you but the "upgraded louvers" I bought with my kit look literally identical to the Finish Line units. I'm sure they sourced them from the same place. Here's what mine look like (note that I added the L brackets to attach the louvers. They don't come with the louvers):

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=181559&d=1678814473

Too many small details are the same for this to just be a coincidence. All this to say, yes the Finish Line units will fit and work just fine, and are nice.

[Mike.Bray]

The ones I got from ********** came with the angle brackets.

[JohnK]

Sorry - yes, now that you mention it you jogged my memory. Mine also came with some brackets. I wasn't terribly impressed by them so replaced them with some thicker gauge brackets.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The upgraded FFR louvers and the ones from ********** are identical, right down to the white cardboard box they come in and the packaging inside. Make what you want of the retired or quit story… :rolleyes:

Jeff

[Mike.Bray]

The upgraded FFR louvers and the ones from ********** are identical, right down to the white cardboard box they come in and the packaging inside. Make what you want of the retired or quit story… :rolleyes:

Jeff

That's funny. Well, that's what Sally told me and gave me a credit. I'm guessing FFR & ********** have the same supplier and there were delivery issues.