My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
#1
My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Big thanks to Kerry (Krio) for taking the time and money to make this happen. Check them out at http://www.camarolouvers.com/ ...not sure how many more he's got, but when they're gone they're gone! ...anyhow...mine are the smooth finish powder coat, with the aggressive 25* louvers, as opposed to the factory 15* louvers. Also thanks to my auto body and car club buddy Josh for cutting the hood because I'm a wimp, and was afraid.
Anyhow, packaging was awesome. Well protected. Lots of padding. ....pattern worked perfectly. We cut the holes, then laid the louvers up on the hood. Marked the BACK CENTER hole and drilled it and screwed it in. That way they were held down, but you could still pivot and fine tune the exact placement. Then we drilled and screwed down the FRONT center. ...then from there it was easy. You can see from the under hood shot the silver 1.25" screw. Knew they were too long, but didn't know what to order. Ultimately went with #6 - .5" inch, button head black oxide off ebay for $5 bucks shipped! ...oh and the last shot, my dog wanted me to tell you all that she recommends these louvers. I told her I would tell you all.
...a little dusty!
Here you can see the long 1.25" screws. TOO LONG.
Here you can really see the more aggressive angle, compared to stock! I really like it. Very subtle when you step back and look at the whole car.
I think the silver actually looks pretty sharp, but ultimately I think black is the way to go.
Black hardware - #6 -.5" button head, black oxide
Excuse to post my dog. She likes the louvers too.
Anyhow, packaging was awesome. Well protected. Lots of padding. ....pattern worked perfectly. We cut the holes, then laid the louvers up on the hood. Marked the BACK CENTER hole and drilled it and screwed it in. That way they were held down, but you could still pivot and fine tune the exact placement. Then we drilled and screwed down the FRONT center. ...then from there it was easy. You can see from the under hood shot the silver 1.25" screw. Knew they were too long, but didn't know what to order. Ultimately went with #6 - .5" inch, button head black oxide off ebay for $5 bucks shipped! ...oh and the last shot, my dog wanted me to tell you all that she recommends these louvers. I told her I would tell you all.
...a little dusty!
Here you can see the long 1.25" screws. TOO LONG.
Here you can really see the more aggressive angle, compared to stock! I really like it. Very subtle when you step back and look at the whole car.
I think the silver actually looks pretty sharp, but ultimately I think black is the way to go.
Black hardware - #6 -.5" button head, black oxide
Excuse to post my dog. She likes the louvers too.
The following 2 users liked this post by Abubaca:
funkyiroc (03-29-2023), no_car_yet (01-30-2023)
#3
Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I really, really need to get a set... the clock is ticking & they are almost sold out. My mortgage sucks lol.
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I can put a set aside for you for a month or so if you for sure want a set. I know you really want them and appreciate mortgage payments. I have 2 left of each except the smooth 25 degree like above - Abubaca got the last of those . Have two of the textured left though. Had 3 - one sold today.
I'm in no rush - so whatever works.
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Awesome my friend, great to see the more aggressive angle. I drove mine back from Silverstone last weekend in the rain and all was fine. Best mod I've done for a while I think. Like you say- I wanted to do this for years, thanks to krio for making it real!!
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
All the best Sir!!
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
love these louvers. so awesome. I'd totally buy a set if I didn't't have my current fiberflass hood setup. Glad krio made em
#9
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Got a set of these myself. The satin black with standard rake angle. The price is more than I wanted to pay, but the product and the guy selling them are great.
Took probably 4 or 5 hours and at least 20 Dremel cutting disks to cut the openings.
The pre-drilled holes (12 on each louver) are very small. What are people using for fasteners, do people drill these holes out and use, say, M3 bolts and nuts?
Took probably 4 or 5 hours and at least 20 Dremel cutting disks to cut the openings.
The pre-drilled holes (12 on each louver) are very small. What are people using for fasteners, do people drill these holes out and use, say, M3 bolts and nuts?
#10
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Got a set of these myself. The satin black with standard rake angle. The price is more than I wanted to pay, but the product and the guy selling them are great.
Took probably 4 or 5 hours and at least 20 Dremel cutting disks to cut the openings.
The pre-drilled holes (12 on each louver) are very small. What are people using for fasteners, do people drill these holes out and use, say, M3 bolts and nuts?
Took probably 4 or 5 hours and at least 20 Dremel cutting disks to cut the openings.
The pre-drilled holes (12 on each louver) are very small. What are people using for fasteners, do people drill these holes out and use, say, M3 bolts and nuts?
Hi Peter,
I made the pilot holes as small as possible so people can choose how many mounts they wanted to use. You need to drill through them and through the hood so they line up. Plus they're placed on the perimeter in such away as to not drill into the under hood bracing which would make it impossible to get a nut on. I used 7/32 hex bolts on mine that were 3/4" long.
I'm pretty sure you owe me a pic of these installed on your car don't you?
Merry Christmas Peter!
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
There were/are only 30 in existence. I netted under $30 a set when all was said and done. I did it for the love of 3rd Gens (all) and for the modification.
And just to get something "cool" (pardon the pun) out there in the world.
Which I've done and am happy with. Plus the people who bought them REALLY seem to love them which thrills me to no end.
So -'Mission Accomplished!'
Thanks for the comment!
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Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
@krio - I'll post some pics when I've cleaned up and painted the opening edges. I'll use VHT black satin roll bar paint.
The template you provide makes it a lot easier, but it's still a bit job and harder than you'd think to get nice clean edges.
No matter what you say, you'll have to do more batches of these in the future.
The template you provide makes it a lot easier, but it's still a bit job and harder than you'd think to get nice clean edges.
No matter what you say, you'll have to do more batches of these in the future.
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
@krio - I'll post some pics when I've cleaned up and painted the opening edges. I'll use VHT black satin roll bar paint.
The template you provide makes it a lot easier, but it's still a bit job and harder than you'd think to get nice clean edges.
No matter what you say, you'll have to do more batches of these in the future.
The template you provide makes it a lot easier, but it's still a bit job and harder than you'd think to get nice clean edges.
No matter what you say, you'll have to do more batches of these in the future.
I DO have some boxes left but it's hard to get excited about the $4 an hour I earn making them.
Hey- if I lose my job - they'll be back in production fast! $4 is enough to keep me in spam!
Thanks for the chuckle!
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Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Mounted the louvers on the weekend. Much bigger job than I thought, mainly because I used a battery-powered Dremel too with a cutting wheel to cut the holes. Took about six hours and 15 cutting wheels.
After cutting the holes I painted the edges in VHT satin black Roll Bar paint, which finished them well.
The fit and finish of the louvers is perfect.
Now I just need to find some black M3 screws washers and nuts (not easy I've found).
After cutting the holes I painted the edges in VHT satin black Roll Bar paint, which finished them well.
The fit and finish of the louvers is perfect.
Now I just need to find some black M3 screws washers and nuts (not easy I've found).
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Abubaca, any chance you could send you buddy Josh over to cut my hood too? I have literally been staring at the cut outline taped out on my hood for a month trying to work up the stones to cut it. If the weather improves maybe I can get this done next weekend. I am excited to get them on my Camaro before spring cruising time rolls around.
I am not sure if Kerry even has any of these left but, I echo everything already said in this thread. Kerry is a great guy to work with and the quality of the louvers is outstanding. Like everyone else I didn’t really have the money for these at the time I ordered them but, I knew I would kick myself if I missed out on the opportunity to own a set.
I will try to post a picture once I get up my nerve to install these (unless I butcher the hood, in that case you all will never hear from me again!).
I am not sure if Kerry even has any of these left but, I echo everything already said in this thread. Kerry is a great guy to work with and the quality of the louvers is outstanding. Like everyone else I didn’t really have the money for these at the time I ordered them but, I knew I would kick myself if I missed out on the opportunity to own a set.
I will try to post a picture once I get up my nerve to install these (unless I butcher the hood, in that case you all will never hear from me again!).
Last edited by 86 Money Pit; 01-04-2016 at 03:53 PM.
#19
Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I'll say this about cutting the hood. I was scared to do it myself, but after watching my buddy Josh cut it, I'd easily tackle it myself next time.
...and don't worry about the hood, they're everywhere. It's the louver's aren't replaceable!
...and don't worry about the hood, they're everywhere. It's the louver's aren't replaceable!
#21
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Anyone know if these are still being made? The member who is/was making these cannot receive PMs. The website allows me to add them to my cart but I do not want to finalize the order until I speak to the guy making them.
And yes, they would be going on a 91Z28. I will have to buy an Iroc hood since I do not want to cut my OEM hood up.
And yes, they would be going on a 91Z28. I will have to buy an Iroc hood since I do not want to cut my OEM hood up.
#22
Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I think he's making a second run. You can try him on his Iroc/FB page.
Iroc X Project https://www.facebook.com/IROCXproject/
Iroc X Project https://www.facebook.com/IROCXproject/
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
They sit flush in the original louvre recess.
I used M3 nuts and bolts to hold them secure and there is no gap at all between the louvres and the hood.
I used M3 nuts and bolts to hold them secure and there is no gap at all between the louvres and the hood.
#27
Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Do they sit flush down on the hood? Not sure if its just the picture but the front view of the white hood looks like the louvers are sticking up a bit from the surface of the hood.
They fit perfect. Quality is top notch.
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Man, there is no way on God's green earth I could bring myself to put a saw blade to any part of my '89 Iroc Z. I nearly had heart failure looking at the first pic in this thread.
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
If you're fussy about originality these may not be for you.
You could always fit a set to replace the originals without cutting the big holes.
I needed a set of louvers anyway and love the functionality of these.
I think they look better than factory and no one has noticed they are not unless I say something.
You could always fit a set to replace the originals without cutting the big holes.
I needed a set of louvers anyway and love the functionality of these.
I think they look better than factory and no one has noticed they are not unless I say something.
#32
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Car: 2002 Firehawk & ws6 1989 Iroc Z
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
If somebody has a black Iroc hood that has this mod already done & would like to sell it, I would buy it if it's in mint condition. That way I can save my stock hood & preserve my health. Peter, the reason for the mod is heat extraction, so yes, the hole has to be cut. Makes no sense to use these just to replace the stock louvers.
#33
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Why not just buy a new hood and cut it yourself?
#34
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I simply cannot bring myself to permanently deface a perfectly pristine hood. That's why I would buy another black hood that someone would sell, with the hole already cut.
#35
Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I simply cannot bring myself to permanently deface a perfectly pristine hood. That's why I would buy another black hood that someone would sell, with the hole already cut.
On a stock motor I agree with not cutting into the hood. However, with a engine swap that has heat soak and high temps as a concern, this is a good option.
Last edited by Abubaca; 09-03-2017 at 02:33 PM.
#37
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I get why they didn't put holes in the hoods originally. Rain, snow, ice, dirt... all makes my their way under the hood. Purely from a practical standpoint, holes in the hood isn't practical.
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I got factory holes in my 2002 Firehawk hood. Pontiac called them heat extractors. They do work in their application, but not as effective as the mod done here. I have no problem if the holes are already there, as neither of my birds has ever been rained on in 15 years of ownership. My truck is a different story. The Iroc will never see rain either, ever.
#40
Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I get why they didn't put holes in the hoods originally. Rain, snow, ice, dirt... all makes my their way under the hood. Purely from a practical standpoint, holes in the hood isn't practical.
Those trackspec pieces are nice, but not as nice as Kerry's. Too few actual louvers, and they go down into the hood, not up! Still...they are nice. I think those are the ones Detroit Speed used on their DSE-Z.
#41
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Nice touch, and a belated congrats on winning COTM earlier. Hadn't seen you on the boards in quite a while and I see you've been quite busy. IROC looks awesome, you should bring it to Auto Fair this month.
#43
Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
Nice touch, and a belated congrats on winning COTM earlier. Hadn't seen you on the boards in quite a while and I see you've been quite busy. IROC looks awesome, you should bring it to Auto Fair this month.
Must Be A Real Hassle Washing Your Car With Those.
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Re: My new FUNCTIONAL hood louvers!
I wasn't going to go this time after the disappointing 50th anniversary of the F body they did back in April but since I haven't had a chance to hit any other events this year I figure what the heck. I'm hoping to make the F body bash in October if things work out to at least get to see it this year.
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