Hi,

I have a 1988 IROC and have purchased a new repro hood due to accident damage.

I will take the louvers off the odd hood to install them on the new one.

I am also thinking of cutting large holes into the hood where the louvers are to make them functional and improve engine cooling. The car is in Australia and summer can be hot here, especially for cars in traffic.

My only reservation is that I understand the aerodynamics are designed to create a low-pressure area under the engine bay and that cutting hole in the hood may upset this.

Is there and merit/problem with cutting holes in the bonnet to make the louver/grill functional?

 

I think there was a post here yesterday where someone was doing exactly this.

But does doing this really help at all? What keeps the rain out?

 

You mean like this?

 

The way I did mine, you cant tell they are open unless you look at them from behind which to me is the way they were supposed to be. The air is sucked out so there is still a lower pressure in the engine bay, so air is still pulled through the rad. I will have some pictures of them on the car soon

 

Wow! Looks fantastic.

Please provide more details.

 

I made some in 1/4 inch aluminum

 

Those look great! Are you able to make another set for me?

 

Were they cut out in a water machine?

Very neat car.

 

Yes, they were cut on a water jet machine and were a real pain in the *** to make. I made a couple of spares for myself incase they get damaged, and sorry I won't be making any more.

 

@james94, how did you do that with your hood louver?

 

I used a dremel with a cutoff wheel. I took about an 2 hours each louver, but thats because I was taking my time and didnt want to melt/mess anything up.

 

I've never removed the louver, and think it will be a pain because the previous owner seems to have used an expoxy rather than the mounting nuts.

It is allow or plastic?

Guess you just turned them upside down and cut out the vertical sections?

 

If there is epoxy is it possible he snapped off the plastic nubs when they took them off previously.

The louvers are plastic.

And yes, I held the louvers upside down in between my knees.

 

Unfortunate. How is your version attached to the car?

JamesC

 

Do you have a cad file? I can cut my own, no problem.

 

Hey Procamaro, do you have pics of the finished product on the car? I have access to the tools to make these as well, I've just never been motivated enough to do it!!!!!(sorry for the hijack)

...I've also thought about clear acrylic, ala the Zr1. I think it's kinda gimmicky, but, ya never know....

 

What latch downs are those? I cant find anything like them

 

I'm starting to think that the idea of getting a small cutting tool and grinding holes in the back portions of the grill is the easiest way to go.

Are there any more pictures?

 

Do a search on functional louvers here, in cooling, and in fabrication. There is a a few threads in each with some good pictures