Ever think about making IROC hood louvers functional? - Page 2 - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

crrllmich · 07-08-2007, 09:47 PM

I need some help with measurements anyone up for this? I need a lot of measurements.

PM me if interested.

Ill get it drawn up in CAD and then do a prototype. Then get a how to up and parts list.

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19doug90 · 07-17-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crrllmich

I need some help with measurements anyone up for this? I need a lot of measurements.

PM me if interested.

Ill get it drawn up in CAD and then do a prototype. Then get a how to up and parts list.

if you were actually serious about this you would probably find it an awful lot easier to just grab a single louver off of a junkyard car, rather then relying on someone else for measurements.

crrllmich · 07-17-2007, 10:19 PM

Sorry I don't have an Iroc... I have a 91 RS and 99 Z28... dont know anybody local that would be willing to help me thats acutaly close.

I figured someone who had CAD experiance or just anyone could help me measure and do a basic model to just figure out how to make it work.

All I am saying is if someone wanted to do it to there car and wanted to take the time to measure I could help them.

I could care less for my cars.

Stephen · 07-18-2007, 02:15 AM

The recesses in the hoods, between the IROCs and the 91/92 Zs, are exactly the same. Measure a 91/92 recess, and you'll have the louver size.

crrllmich · 07-18-2007, 07:37 AM

Well... my 91 isnt a Z28 but ironicaly I am picking up a z28 hood soon. So good idea ;-)

GMan 3MT · 07-18-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodln

That Red Dale Earnhart hood appears to have the louvers opening towards the front? I would think that they'd allow more air out by turning them the other way??

They don't appear to be "flats" but rather just round "bars" if that makes any sense.

Anyways, I'm actually in the process of filling in my homemade louvers (CMC class rules, no hood modifications). I've already cut some sheetmetal to replace the holes I cut in the hood, just need to epoxy them to the hood. Don't think they'll care about the material removed from the plastic louvers.

buuuut.... if someone really really want my louvers, make me an offer (I'ld need your louvers in return as well). I think one stud is broken off of each, and one louver has a crack in it (hail). You'ld still have to cut open your hood. Pictures near the beginning of this thread. I can get some closeup pictures if anyone is interested.

DBLTKE · 08-06-2007, 06:51 AM

I just did the louver and hood modification today. It was pretty strait forward and easy. The hardest part was prying those darn louvers off. the previous owner had to have taken them off at some point in time because they were stuck on pretty good with a fair amount of silicone. Here were my steps:

1) Unbolt hood so the hinges stay attached. I placed the hood face up on saw horses with foam on top of them to prevent damage.

2) Pry off louvers with putty knife, then a long metal ruler and a rubber mallet.

3) Flip over hood and use plasma cutter and/or cutting wheel to cut out the precut cut outs, leaving the "braces" intact. I did not cut out the furthest forward or rear most cut out.

4) Sand down any rough edges and rust, then spray a coat of primer over any spots of bare metal.

5) Using a dremel, cut out in between louvers, leaving the braces running the length of the louver for strength.

6) Silicone louvers back on to the hood.

7) Bolt hood back on.

cronsformula350 · 08-08-2007, 09:55 AM

Instead of a dremel, use a die-grinder with cutting wheels, the work will go much faster. I have used a dremel, you will go through a lot of cutting wheels, on one cut of hood metal. The rest is an option.

I'm actually going to have my Formula 350 back, running soon, it's almost back together.

DBLTKE · 08-08-2007, 04:02 PM

I only used the dremel on the plastic louvers. I used a plasma cutter for the metal hood it self.

LB9Iroc87 · 04-29-2008, 01:16 AM

wouldnt it just be a good idea to just cut a piece of sheetmetal or aluminum the size of the louvers and drill holes in the piece u cut were the studs of the louvers are and when u go to drive it around or race it you can pull them off and when u go to park it pop the hood stik the plates on and hand tighten the nuts down, functional when u want it to be and simple, this is of course after u have dremeled the stock louvers and cut the hood from underneath them

townaj · 08-23-2008, 03:32 AM

I just started this project this morning and decided to do a little more research before I went to bed and got to this forum. I'm completely refabricating the hood louvers. First I took the plastic ones off and traced an outline on cardboard then checked for fit in the hood. Then I used the cardboard to trace outlines on an aluminum sheet. I'm spacing the openings an inch and a half apart. So I cut slots in the aluminum spaced that far apart but stopping an inch from the sides. Monday I'm going to bend the aluminum into the louver shape. They'll be painted flat black and have a rubber strip around the edge for a tight fit. Oh and they will be mounted on a frame of 1/2 inch square steel tube to be flush with the hood and for support. And of course I'll have the hood cut out underneath them. I'll see how they turn out and try to post pictures when I'm done.

92RS_Ttop · 08-23-2008, 09:49 PM

I'm not quite sure I followed you on that, but please post pics when your done. I have been trying to figure out the best way to do this for a while now myself and haven't really come up with an idea I like. If I'm picturing what you describing correctly, it sounds like it would work and look good.

townaj · 08-23-2008, 10:14 PM

Here are my flickr photos. Tell me if you can't see it and I can email it to you. I made a jig that works just amazingly well. I can send people more pics of the jig etc. and better details if you want. Just let me know. http://www.flickr.com/photos/23499070@N04/2791498370/

hotrodln · 08-24-2008, 02:55 PM

I'd also be most interested to see them completed.........do you plan on painting them? Pat

83 Crossfire TA · 08-25-2008, 05:37 AM

huh... I can't tell what' is going on there... what does the jig look like/how does it work?

Dewey316 · 08-25-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83 Crossfire TA

huh... I can't tell what' is going on there... what does the jig look like/how does it work?

It looks like it is a stamp type press he made, the lower wooded block seems to have a 45* cut in in, so stop the bending at the desired angle. I would assume the top peice has the negative at the angle, and it just. Nifty idea. It looks like the result turned out well too.

I really wish that the louvers were further forward, the closer to the front of the hood they are, they better they are going to do at evacuting underhood pressure.

askulte · 08-25-2008, 09:45 AM

townaj - Looks good! Add six flush quarter turn fasteners (or some flat head counter sunk cap screws), and you're done.

A.

townaj · 08-25-2008, 11:52 AM

Ya all i did for the jig was cut a peice of wood a half inch deep then came in with a 45 degree cut. I spaced the louvers by an inch and a half so i had to trim the jig to get the finished louvers to clear it. I think they are going to end up matte black. I'll keep posting pictures on flickr so check back often.

RED_DRAGON_85 · 08-28-2008, 07:59 PM

yeah, im curious.
by the way, i have a daytona hood on my camaro and was wondering if the cowl would adversly affect making functional louvers?
the cowl brings in air and the louvers would theoretically let hot air out.
correct?

92RS_Ttop · 08-28-2008, 09:14 PM

What gauge sheet metal did you use? Looks kinda thin. Definitely looks promising, the louvers themselves turned out real nice and it seems like an easy enough method to make them. I'll wait to see the finished product before I make my final judgement on it. Looks great so far though. What if you flipped them upside down on the hood so the louvers went down into the hood instead of raising up off of it?

Red Dragon - I think having them on your hood would defeat the purpose of the cowl induction. The air moving over the hood would encounter the louvers first and if the hot air is being extracted from under the hood through them it will push the cold air up higher off the hood and you would effectively be sucking the hot underhood air back into your cowl induction. Just my

racing geek · 09-01-2008, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92RS_Ttop

Red Dragon - I think having them on your hood would defeat the purpose of the cowl induction. The air moving over the hood would encounter the louvers first and if the hot air is being extracted from under the hood through them it will push the cold air up higher off the hood and you would effectively be sucking the hot underhood air back into your cowl induction. Just my

The hot air would rise above the cold air therefor creating a little loop of cold air going in from the cowl and the hot air leaving through the louvers. The hot air would then rise above the cold air traveling over the hood which would be sucked in through the cowl and the cycle repeats itself.

townaj · 09-03-2008, 05:24 PM

I think the metal is about a 16 gauge. It is fairly thin but not too thin. And it couldnt be too thick because it wouldnt shape very well.

comp · 09-03-2008, 06:16 PM

i'd like to see your wood die to

townaj · 09-11-2008, 06:38 PM

I finally finished. I'll try to get a picture or two of the jig and the finished product up soon.

gekko · 09-14-2008, 08:10 AM

I was thinking of bypassing the louvers altogether.....just replacing the hood with a sheet of mesh type metal(steel or aluminum).....not good for rain days but very good for keeping engine cooler.....

townaj · 09-14-2008, 10:04 PM

Ya that would work really well. I just wanted to keep mine looking as stock as possible.

omnipotentgoku · 09-16-2008, 11:26 AM

Anyone thinking bout selling these for those of us without crafting abilities ?

townaj · 09-16-2008, 05:48 PM

I bet someone would if the price is right...hint hint

Mr. IROC-Z · 09-18-2008, 03:20 PM

Has anyone tried to copy that red Earnhart car on page 1? I am tryiing to do that now, cutting the louvers and hood. I'll post pics soon.

townaj · 10-04-2008, 12:22 AM

Got any updates? It would be cool to see how they turn out.

IROC-Z_Racing · 10-04-2008, 12:56 PM

Just wondering where to start looking, where could I find a large sheet of aluminum to cut my louvers out.

Following you townaj

By the way, is the louver project done? Any new pics posted yet? I want to see how they fit in the hood by the way you described with the flush mount and rubber seal to create a tight fit.

Thanks.

townaj · 10-04-2008, 03:55 PM

Yup I finished them a while ago. Just no pictures taken yet. It's raining today but I'll try to get some good ones up.

townaj · 10-04-2008, 04:27 PM

Ok I got them loaded onto flickr. Here's the link again for my photo stream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/camaro8...7606917040057/

IROC-Z_Racing · 10-04-2008, 10:24 PM

SWEEEET!!! Awesome man! I love it, and if you glance at them, they look stock. I, myself, would probably paint the bolts the same color, but that's just preference. Great work.

Thanks for the pix. By the way, where could I get a good size sheet of aluminum. I haven't looked anywhere yet. I am just trying to find a starting point.

townaj · 10-04-2008, 11:16 PM

Ya I've been thinking about painting the screws the same color. Probably will eventually, but I live in the pacific northwest so it rains half the year at least so I'll probably be leaving the Camaro alone for a while. I have a Model A for a winter project anyway. I'm 15 and I have two cars already sheesh.

My friend had the aluminum I used but you could probably find it at a metal fabrication place or somewhere like that. I'll ask him where he got his tomorrow and let you know.

Mr. IROC-Z · 10-05-2008, 10:21 PM

Hi Guys,
I have the hood cut, and working on the louvers. Cutting the louvers is pretty tricky because you have to try and keep the lines straight, and the cuts clean.
I'll have some pics soon.

townaj · 10-06-2008, 05:46 PM

Ya I had some pretty crummy cuts. My cut off wheel kept grabbing the metal. It got really annoying. And you should be able to get metal at home depot or some place like that but it would be really expensive. If you can find a place that sells it by weight then it a lot less. Usually some industrial places can have it. There's a place here in Portland that has it that way.

Mr. IROC-Z · 10-08-2008, 12:45 AM

Hi,
I am actually cutting the original louvers to make it look like the Earnhart car on page 1.

townaj · 10-08-2008, 10:14 AM

Oh that'll be interesting to see once its done.

Diengrey13 · 10-14-2008, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astoria18

Like this? I say go for it.

Do you any of you guys know if ANYBODY sells those kind of louvers in those pics? those look SO good.
thank ya

Diengrey13 · 10-14-2008, 05:15 PM

Hey guys, any updated on the louvers? i can seem to get them off my mind! grr.
thanks.

townaj · 10-14-2008, 06:12 PM

Mine are done but i want to see some other people's! Any body got any updates? Anyone?

Mr. IROC-Z · 10-16-2008, 06:56 PM

Hi Guys,
Here is a part 1 of the project. We cut the hood and the louvers. It is a bit tricky getting all the cuts correctly, and I did make many mistakes. Part 2 will be to go back and clean up the cuts on both the hood and louvers.
As you can see, we kept some of the support material on the hood so that the louvers would have a proper placement. If done correctly, you will not be able to see the support braces from the outside.

townaj · 10-16-2008, 07:39 PM

Wow that looks great! Its probably easier to do than mine also.

Sonymaster20 · 10-16-2008, 09:16 PM

Thats Looks Great! Making any sets :-D

Diengrey13 · 10-19-2008, 04:58 PM

that look good. once you straightin them up and put the hood on post pics.

Mr. IROC-Z · 10-21-2008, 12:51 AM

The car won't be painted and ready for several months. We are just now getting done with the custome body fabs. Next will be primer, sanding, sanding, and more sanding..guide coat..sanding...then finally paint/clear coat, wet sanding....argh. This project will never be done!

townaj · 10-21-2008, 01:02 AM

Wow. Sounds like a lot of work. But I'm sure it will be worth it once it's all done. Do you do all your painting yourself?

Mr. IROC-Z · 10-21-2008, 01:19 AM

Yes, we will be painting ourselves. My buddy Victor is a great resource and has helped me out immensely with the entire build-up.

townaj · 10-21-2008, 10:13 AM

Wow I bet that helps with the expense. If I could paint mine myself it would be great, but I don't know any painter that closely. Hope yours comes out lookin good!