Hood Louvers, Zero Decibel Motorsports

[Mechie3]

Zero Decibel Motorsports Hood Louver Panels

What:
Aluminum louver panel to replace the FFR provided mesh.

Why:
Greater airflow through the stock hood vs the mesh due to larger open areas. Also provides a different stylistic approach for those just wanting something that looks different regardless of performance.

Cost:
$50

Shipping
Parts will ship flat and be quoted based on buyers zip code.

Includes
2 Laser cut aluminum louver panels.

Expected part availability: ~Mid November

FAQ
How do I bend the louvers?
The middle fins are easily bent to any angle by gripping the sides of the fin to be bent and twisting. The two end fins are best bent by gripping the outside border in a vice (don't worry, you won't see the border when installed). If you can't bend the two outside fins by hand use a mallet and a thin wide piece of wood that contacts the entire length of the fin to prevent from bending it in the middle. If you don't like your bend angle you can adjust it. Refrain from excessive repeat bends. After bending the edges may need minor deburring. All panels are deburred before shipping but some edges cannot be fully deburred in the flat position.

Do these work with the FFR supplied trim rings?
No, the trim rings are too wide.

Why did you make these not compatible with the trim rings?
Forum member Aloha818 pioneered a method using plastic edge trim everywhere he had a cutout with backing mesh. In my opinion, and others, it looked much more refined and OEM look.

How do I install the louvers?
Cut the hood opening to have ~ a 3/8" border (a template will be provided). Test the fit of the panel after bending the fins. Don't forget the plastic trim adds ~.125" of thickness and needs to be accounted for. Once the opening is satisfactory, line it with the plastic trim. Apply silicone or body adhesive to the backside of the hood to bond the outside border of the panel to the hood in the same method that FFR uses for their mesh.

How do I order?
Send me a pm, email ([email protected]), or message me on facebook.

Pictures:

[AZPete]

Like Craig recommended above, I liked the edge molding that Aloha818 used and can tell you what to order. I bought the "Door Edge Guard Molding" by Automotive Authority from Amazon. It comes in 15-foot rolls for $18.50 + shipping. This stuff was easy to install, has a glossy black finish and has hot glue inside. I was able to make it adhere to some tight corners (1 inch radius) with a heat gun, which also sticks the glue. This will look great with the hood louvers.

Don't try to save money, as I did, with Amazon's cheaper "universal edge guard" @ $11.99 by BestBoy, because it has a blistered finish and no glue. Again I learned the cheap can be expensive.

[RM1SepEx]

I bought the same stuff in white, my louvers are coming and will be powder coated orange to match my vinyl...

[riptide motorsport]

I like em....very nice!

[Mechie3]

Order placed with the shop. ETA is 5-7 business days. This shop is pretty consistent and on time.

[Frank818]

This shop is pretty consistent and on time.

I wish mine would be the same. lolll


Anybody found some matte trims? Still looking, so if I find something I'll post.
One solution though would be to PlastiDip the trims.

[C.Plavan]

Cant wait

[Doowop]

cool Craig, do you have any better pics installed? thanks

[Mechie3]

That's it for now. Though, two people should be receiving packages with these in them today so they can do test fits.

There are a few other photos here of revs 1 and 2 of the prototypes:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...t-Hood-Louvers

[Scargo]

I think I'm gonna bite on parts from you, for the first time. Those are the berries! I've looked at stamped louvers and, good grief, some of the manufacturers are way too proud of their simple sheet-metal work!
What about the possibilities of a custom run of these for us racers that might want to maximize air flow? I know there are some cosmetic and physical constraints with the design, but I envision the openings in the hood being completely utilized and they come with tabs on the sides that can be bent up so mounting could be done on the sides of the openings. I'd probably bond mine on with structural adhesive.

[Mechie3]

Not sure what you're getting at as far as fully utilizing the opening? You mean, instead of a 3/8" lip, have no lip? I have it on the back burner to (when I clear out a few other projects) to make a full length set similar to the formerly red on gray R. Those will be a ways out though. Need to figure out a good way to make the recessed existing opening flow into the only slightly recessed area behind it.

https://www.factoryfive.com/gallerie...014-sema-818r/

[Scargo]

Not sure what you're getting at as far as fully utilizing the opening? You mean, instead of a 3/8" lip, have no lip? I have it on the back burner to (when I clear out a few other projects) to make a full length set similar to the formerly red on gray R. Those will be a ways out though. Need to figure out a good way to make the recessed existing opening flow into the only slightly recessed area behind it.

https://www.factoryfive.com/gallerie...014-sema-818r/

I am. However, I also thought of carrying them back further. I like the size and spacing of your louvers and wouldn't want them coarser where squirrels could get in.
I visualize a shroud that comes up from around the radiator and up against the hood openings. The openings should equal the area of the air coming in for the radiator, +/- a little for loss. The 818 might do with a smaller high-efficiency radiator and not need huge openings. I have a Ron Davis radiator in my high HP track STi and even with a FMIC partially in front of it I have never had heating issues. Reverse hood outlet like the 818. I'll only have 70% the HP in the 818.

[Mechie3]

Shop emailed me and parts are done. Parts will be ready to mail out tomorrow.

[progmgr1]

As was mentioned in a thread over on the '33 forum, would you consider making custom louvers for our side panels? There seems to be a lot of interest in adding side and/or hood louvers to our tiny engine compartment, and your design looks like a potentially great solution.
Keith

[Mechie3]

As was mentioned in a thread over on the '33 forum, would you consider making custom louvers for our side panels? There seems to be a lot of interest in adding side and/or hood louvers to our tiny engine compartment, and your design looks like a potentially great solution.
Keith

Are you talking about custom side louvers for our meaning '33 or our meaning 818? I'm (slowly) working on carbon fiber side scoops for the 818 (slow because it's a new skill for me). I don't have any near future plans for side louvers for the 818 because I'm focusing on the side scoops first. If you mean side louvers for the '33, well...I don't have a '33. If you have an idea and some rough dimensions I can take a look at it. I'd need someone to do test fits and such for me.

Edit: I found the post in the '33 forum and made a post over there.

[Mechie3]

Hood Louvers now available and ready to ship!