What ever happend to louvers? I never see tem anymore more. USed to be every 2nd and 3rd gen you saw was sporting one. What happened?

 

The 80s ended and rice became popular

 

I guess I'll have to make a move to get them back, starting with my car. It may take time, but I'll see it through!

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1991 Camaro RS
305 with a 5sp. All stock except stereo.

 

I hope your not talking about that thing that goes on the back window. How gay. Please dont put that on your car!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Has anyone seen the hood louvers made functional? Are there any kits? Anyone done it?

 

Not gay, its smooth!

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1991 Camaro RS
305 with a 5sp. All stock except stereo.

 

Gay.

 

They are a PITA when it snows on them and are sort of (really) ugly,,,
(speaking as a former louver owner,,not on a 3rd gen car though)



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My Firebird & other stuff

- 4 out of 5 people think the 5th is an idiot

 

I have found that louvers even if installed correctly obstruct your view and rattle constantly.

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1987 T.A.
4 bolt 40 over MSD 6al BBK/EDL throttle body Accel coil, wires Compu Cam Roller roc K&N filter Jet custom chip Removed screens and cooling fins on M.A.F. Ported Corvette heads 700r4 shift kit 40+ 4th gear 2300 stall Stock GTA rims with 255/50/16 rear 245/50/16 front Z rated comp ta's

 

What is the function of the rear louver?

 

Well, for one it blocks people from looking in at your cool stereo goodies, two, i think its supposed to block sunlight. i doubt it.

i don't care for the look much myself. i did see a 4th gen firebird that someone tweaked out to look like the batmobile (not a hard thing to do). anyway, he had a custom set made, and it looked VERY good.

wish someone offered custom sets for our cars.

heck, while im at it, how about fuctonal chrome hood lovers too! hmm. maybe not chrome, somehow i don't think it would work to well.

 

louvers are so very, very, very ugly. (cartman)

[EDIT] I mean not that hood louvers or anything, but back window ones!

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'89 Formula 305 TPI T-5
Check out my car HERE!

[This message has been edited by '89Formula305TPI (edited January 12, 2001).]

 

Louvers can be ugly, but so can spoilers and white-faced gauges. It's all a matter of opinion.

 

I feel the same way. My opinion is that louvers, white face, and red/yellow interiors are butt. But that is my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I can imagine that a 4th gen firebird would look pretty good with color matched louvers. You never see them and so it would be cool for maybe a year :-).

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, Jon (91 RS too many mods to list), getting new engine in summer

 

Hi, I'm new to this site (1st post). I've been reading this site for quite a while, and I've got several mods lined up this summer when I bring it out of storage.
Anyways, My Camaro originally had louvers, I removed them after a year, and tinted it. I found though, louvers block an amazing amount of heat, my reason for removing them was in the summer when it rained, the water that was still on the glass left massive water marks all over. Also they rattled..



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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
89 RS Camaro, 305 TBI
Currently All Stock

 

I've got louvers on mine, and it does help the sun incredibly. It depends on how intense the sun is where you live. Living in southern arizona, keeping the sun out is a huge concern.......I personally think they look awesome.

 

I think louvers look good depending on the car and the stle of the louvers. I personally don't like the 3 piece, but love the factory style. I also think they only look good on a car without ground effects, with them it just looks too gawdy. And also, I think that if you paint them to match the body, do it right so they don't fade.
I'm glad someone else has seen them on a 4th gen, I thought I was hallucinating when I saw them on a 4th gen camaro at a car lot.

 

Hello! Anyone there? It's like 80's are gone and welcome to 21st century!!!

 

Then why do you have a car built in the 80's instead of a new one?

 

Pwaaaaaa ha ha haa ha ha!

Man did you ask for that one!

 

Apeiron, because i happen to like the shape of it, its not that it looks like space shuttle or so (like almost all econo POS car around), but the feeling of a muscle(spots)car..

And those louvers.. those were one of the 80' in and pop thing sometime, like lets say those sunvisors that you mounted to the top of the windshield, or rear that you buped sky high, or tiny little wheels with fat meats on it, or candy - flake disco pain(t)job done to your car, ugly hairstyle, bad clothes, worst music.. all that.

And what comes to our cars, they just never goes out of fashon, because they aren't just something crazy ppl made up (like louvers)..

My opinion, spiced with bad english skills..

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'89 Formula 305 TPI T-5
Check out my car HERE!

 

But your car was just a fad too. Thirdgens went out of style after the 80s. Our cars do go out of fahion, and have already done so in most people's eyes. If you like the shape of your car (and I do), then you like an old, outdated style. Just listen to the ricers, their cars are the latest in car styling, and they'll be the first to tell you that even a stock example of a thirdgen is a dinosaur.

How long do you think white-faced gauges are going to last? Are you going to pull them off in ten years because they're not fashionable anymore? because they're an old fad? Or are you going to leave them because you like them? Just don't try and kid yourself that they're not the fad of the moment. Personally I think that white-faced gauges make a thirdgen look like it was made by Fisher-Price, but if you want them for your car, or anyone wants them for their car, then fine with me.

There are a lot of things that I do and do not like in a car. Those are my opinions, however, and I have no illusions as to how much weight my opinion carries with someone else. I am content to let others do to their cars what they will and keep my opinions to myself, and I am appreciative when they do the same.

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1984 Camaro Z28 Astral Silver w/ 2 1/2" cowl induction hood
Engine: Decked 383 cid 4 bolt w/ oil cooler, 9.6:1 compression, ARP fasteners, 600 cfm Performer carburetor, Torker II intake, Performer RPM Heads, XE268H cam, Magnum roller tip rockers, MSD6AL ignition, Blaster2 coil, recurved HEI distributor
Exhaust: Terminator headers, Custom 3" TIG welded stainless exhaust, Twister muffler
Transmission: 4L60 w/ Corvette servo, .500 boost valve, TransGo 7-CS clutch springs, 700 PKH pump rings, 700-2 reprogramming kit, Borg-Warner High-Energy frictions & bands, 2400 RPM lockup torque converter
Drivetrain: 2.73:1 limited-slip Dana 44 w/ disc brakes
Tires: Front P225/50VR15 Rear P265/50VR15 Eagles

 

Apeiron, yes, I see what a moron I was to try to tell someone that you don't really like what you like...

Sharing own opinions conserning different issues is good, but to bash others opinion down is really not, well, (that)good..

I'll behave from now on
CU

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'89 Formula 305 TPI T-5
Check out my car HERE!

 

Since I love the 3rd gen and yes it was an 80's style, I also keep the 80's trend. I have louvers on my car and I had them on my 82 Z28 in 1985. They looked good then and I still like them today. If you install them carefully and pad the areas that rattle, they can be silenced!

Check it out

 

I think louvers add a different look to a car and I know they block large amounts of sunlight. I had the chance to leave mine off because they were sunfaded so I wet sanded them and had them repainted flat black. The only downfall would be cleaning the rear window and a slight obstrustion of view. You get used to it and don't even notice after a while. Like someone said earlier... it's just a matter of opinion and if it came with the car in the 80's... it should stay that way. Whoever was talking about going out of style... it isn't about style... it's about what you like. Don't dis people's tastes.

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86 IROC 305 TPI LB9 700R4 W/ Shift kit, K & N, Flowmaster, airfoil, 160 thermo, removed emissions, Summit cam kit 442 lift, Summit timing chain, tranny cooler, polished runners and plenum

 

Sorry to have to rant like that, I was having a bad day.

One advantage of the three-piece louvers is that the center piece can be lifted to clean the window underneath.

 

off the louver topic for a moment, you all have to admit, that our cars still look sweet as hell, as long as they are kept up, nice paint and all, not the ones driving around the ones rusted to hell and looking like crap. Next to the first gens, they definetely are 2nd in the ole camaro book. they are still one of the sleakest looking cars on the street, even though some idiots with those little hondas and vws would tell you other wise. Personally i will take my car anyday over some little import crackerbox car.

 

Absolutely.

 

Amen to that!!!

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Red 1986 SC, 2.8L, rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi, t-tops, 134K miles and counting, K&N air filters, hopefully more to come!

 

I agree with the "anti-louver" establishment. They really do date the car. Might as well take the 16" wheels off and put 14" Cragar SS's on. (Now the Cragar crowd hates me too) Mine were on the car for one trip- the maiden voyage home, and they rattled like a bitch the whole way. Just say NO to louvers. :O

 

firebirds are outdated. unless you have a gta, the rest are worthless. get with the program, say no to firechickens. every year was/is slower than camaro.

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86 IROC 305 TPI LB9 700R4 W/ Shift kit, K & N, Flowmaster gutted cat 95 Z tips, airfoil, 160 thermo, removed emissions, Summit cam kit 442 lift springs and lifters, ADS super chip, Summit timing chain, modified MAFS, tranny cooler, polished rims, Good Year yellow letter nascar 235/55 tires, polished runners and plenum, 145 Speedo, remote start, keyless entry, alarm, yellow neons underneath.

 

I hate to burst your bubble buddy.. and this coming from a Gta owner should be even more convincing but Formulas were faster than GTA's due to the fact that they had no ground fx . Also GTAs had every option available hence "the ultimate firebird" this means Air conditioning too... which weighs atleast 100 lbs which anyone will tell you is 1 tenth

 

I dunno.. I put louvers on both my cars. (88 Formula 350, 88 Camaro RS) I get pics soon, but the camaro is sunfire yellow w/ black stripes that go over the roof and louvers and it looks right.... The secret is to paint them to match... Its an 80's car, can't make it something it isn't.

 

If you're worried about blocking sun, park it under a tree or get a car cover ... although that pic above doesn't look too bad ... I'm still going to vote "No" .... crap ... I hope I punched the right hole ....

 

Well, I've got mixed feelings on the whole louver thing. Yeah, I've got em (the smoother factory style) but agree that my car looks better without them. When I take them off it just looks a whole lot sleeker. But the way they block heat and sun in the summertime makes it worth it to me. So I guess location plays a pretty big part in the debate. And as for parking under trees...too much sap dripping down for my tastes. And I'd rather not have to mess with a car cover. Just lazy I guess.

 

LOL, i just saw em on a thirdgen for the second time in my life,
I THOUGHT IT WAS A SPEEDING ARMADILLO!

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91 FireBird 305 V-8
no true mods,
ghetto rigged cold air intake,
People dont have a soul, its just something parents made up to frighten little children, like the boogie man, or micheal jackson..."

GheTTo Riggers INC.
We Make Mcgyver look Like Crap

 

I think louvres went out with the eight track

 

I think they add a touch of class to the car. They were popular in the 80's just like the car, and if you haven't noticed, the 80's are coming back in. Have you listened to the radio lately? When I bought mine a few months back, there were only 4 sets left in the country that were factory. A week later, there was only 1 set left. I bought em. Here is a picture of a car with aftermarket Cragar louvers. I think it looks good!




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87 IROC 350 TPI with less than 10k original miles
www.users.uswest.net/~smoyer/iroc.htm

 

Scottmoyer's Louvers are actually the only ones I do like. My car had the three peice originally, before I blacked it out. But what I want to know is how do you clean the water spots off the window, I've tried everything. Also Scottmoyer, how do you clean the rear window with that one, does the whole thing lift up?


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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
89 RS Camaro, 305 TBI
Currently All Stock

[This message has been edited by FastElectrics (edited January 21, 2001).]

 

I have a set of those exact same Crager louvers pictured above, except the bottom slat in the middle is missing. If anyone is interested in them, I will sell for only $50.
email me at shara100@aol.com

 

Ok......Ok unless kept up well I think 3rd gen F-bodies can get pretty nasty and outdated...including camaros. As far as looks a GTA and Trans Am are the same thing. But about the "slower" issue... they arent. Especially 4th gens. every year the firebirds beat the camaros 'cause they weigh less.

Dont mean to start anything here, just stating my side of things
[*]Oh yeah no louvers unless its an RS, Iroc, or Z (something with the gfx) and no other major body work or it will look gaudy.

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86 Firebird, 305 4bbl, Flowmaster 80 series.

Sound System: Pioneer Head Unit, 2 Ground Zero 12" Nuclear Series Subs, Rockford Fosgate wiring, Crappy Amp untill July

Work to be done in July: New Engine (383 or bigger) New worked 700R4, power Sunroof, Kobel predator Body kit, Ram Air II hood, Rims, Tires, 1.5" lowering springs, and re-done interior...I want yellow and black but the 4th gen conversions look tempting, oh yeah painting it Yellow also

AOL screen name= madbiker1

 

where are you getting your info 86FYRbrd????????? The firebirds are heavier and slower. Everyone knows that... especially in 4th Gens which makes you sound completely clueless. I know you're not trying to start anything but every ET recorded on stock 4th gens proves you wrong.

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86 IROC 305 TPI LB9 700R4 W/ Shift kit, K & N, Flowmaster gutted cat 95 Z tips, airfoil, 160 thermo, removed emissions, Summit cam kit 442 lift springs and lifters, ADS super chip, Summit timing chain, modified MAFS, tranny cooler, polished rims, Good Year yellow letter nascar 235/55 tires, polished runners and plenum, 145 Speedo, remote start, keyless entry, alarm, yellow neons underneath.

 

I've looked through all of my mags but i can't find it. I've read somewhere something about the newer stock LS1 camaro and firebirds track tested about a year or so ago. They said that the ws6 consistently had better times then the z28's because of the different suspension system. Somebody tell me if i'm mistaken. I havn't heard much about the weight difference i would think the weight would basically depend on the options. Comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges in my opinion.
Cause if there is a difference it ain't much.


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89 Formula
Edelbrock Headers+
Catback system,Torque Converter,Rebuilt Trans,B&M Megashifter, K+N air filter, Accel Distr. Module, MSD coil,New Fuel injectors with adj. regulator, ECM with performance prom,and a Crate ZZ3 350

 

In response to "how do you clean the window with those on?" I don't drive my car in weather that would get the car wet and I haven't washed it since July. My car is the dark red one with the factory louvers, not the red one with the cragars. It has (I think) 6 screws that turn with a dime or penny and releases the louvers from clips that slide over the edge of the glass and two that are taped to the bottom of the glass. On cars I've had in the past, I wash the car and louvers (both top and bottom) then dry (both top and bottom). This keeps the louvers looking good, keeps water spots off the glass and visibility is optimum. It takes a few extra seconds to dry the glass and bottom of louvers.

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87 IROC 350 TPI with less than 10k original miles
www.users.uswest.net/~smoyer/iroc.htm

 

U guys have to realize there is no difference between cars of the same year, Trans Am=Iroc Z28, Firebird=Camaro, it's like debating the diference between tomatos and tomatoes. (?)

Those louvers do make it look like an armadillo though...

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--Steve S--
1984 Trans Am 305 LG4, 5 speed
RPO codes point to Recaro version
Daily Driver, Flowmaster 80 Series

 

I understand where talkin about the same cars....same speeds and all, the only differences is 100ths of seconds and I was just saying the things I'v read in the magz I've read.

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86 Firebird, 305 4bbl, Flowmaster 80 series.

Sound System: Pioneer Head Unit, 2 Ground Zero 12" Nuclear Series Subs, Rockford Fosgate wiring, Crappy Amp untill July

Work to be done in July: New Engine (383 or bigger) New worked 700R4, power Sunroof, Kobel predator Body kit, Ram Air II hood, Rims, Tires, 1.5" lowering springs, and re-done interior...I want yellow and black but the 4th gen conversions look tempting, oh yeah painting it Yellow also

AOL screen name= madbiker1

 

in the 80's the cars werent smooth...niether were the women, and everyone realized how unattractive it was and "shaved" off the louvers

 

Not everyone took them off...I guess Im one of the rare holdouts.

My car is not a daily driven POS beater like most 3rd gens. It was WELL taken care of and remains so now.

It has correctly installed louvers that do not rattle at all. They keep the heat and prying eyes out. Sure there is a vision blockage but only when backing up so thats no big deal.

I will try not to take offense to most of the comments here, it's just a bunch of hot air as far as Im concerned. I have been told many things about my car, Gay wasnt one of them.

 

Talk about bringing back a post from the dead. Louvers were still cool when this post was made.

Anyways, I dont like them, never have and never will. But to each their own.

 

Wow, I guess I'm REALLY bringing this post back from the dead. I actually WANT to install louvers, but just the hood ones, because I'm not certain I want my view when backing up obstructed. But I agree with the heat issue. In the Sunshine State it would be nice to have them. Every rare third gen that still has those original louvers catches my eye. I think they look great. Techno is just over-glorified disco. Ripped jeans, crazy hairdos and all that 80's spice is just a part of what makes this current era something special. Everywhere you look, you can see the vestiges of bygone eras. Some like them, some do not. Many do not realize that new fads are mostly ressurected, remade old ones. I happen to enjoy some of the things that made the era I grew up in fun. Am I living in the past? Nah. Just enjoying a resurrected future.