So, hears the deal. I've got a regular Firebird that I'm trying to make into a 82-83 looking trans-am, and one thing these trans-ams have are the fender vents. I don't want to buy new fenders, so do you think it would be possible to get the proper dimensions, cut out the right sized hole in my regular fenders, and just weld the vent onto the fender or something like that? I hope someone understands what I'm talking about lol.

 

Good new fenders are usually >$100, good JY fenders are usually >$50, and you'll probably have to repaint them anyways...

Point being, new/different fenders might be easier/quicker/possibly cheaper.

That's my .

I've never tried that, so I don't really have an answer to your question.

 

Well I've already got the fender vents. I'm a high school kid, and right now, all my money is put towards a brand new paint job, so repainting the fenders is'nt a big deal. I don't really have the money to buy brand new fenders, and the chances of even finding a third gen in a JY where I live is next to impossible. I've got a spare set of fenders kicking around, and the fender vents, that's why I want to to try this. I'm hoping someone has done this lol

 

give it a shot and see what happens

you have to recess the lip so the vents fit in flush

 

If you already have an extra pair of fenders, I'd say go for it.

 

Fenders are metal and the vents are plastic. You cant weld the two together. You can epoxy them but your bound to end up with cracks eventually. The best way to do it is with factory T/A fenders.

 

Damn I was worried about that. I couldn't remember if the fender vents were plastic or metal. I got them tucked away in my garage. How were the fender vents normally attached to the T\A fender?

 

The fenders that are designed to have vents have a small recessed flange that the plastic fender vent sits against. This feature is not even close to easy to recreate on a smooth fender due to the curvature of the egdes of the vent. Your best bet is to search local junkyards and the classifieds here for a set of fenders with the recesses already in place.

 

I wish I had an old damaged fender that I could cut the hole out of and send it to you. That way you'd have a good pattern and you could see what it involves. I think I could do it but I do autobody work for a living.
I say go for it. You won't learn anything if you're afraid to take a chance. If you do this and succeed you'll have the guts to try bigger things. If you fail you'll have to learn how to weld up a hole and make it smooth and straight. Either way it's experience you'll be able to use for the rest of your life.