Now workin' on... for 2008...

[Mikes_95_Berry]

[/B]These are the Z 34 Lumina Hood Louvers. This mod has been done by others in the past. This is how I did mine.

FYI: HAD the louvers with the slots going to the inside, but now are going to the outside. I thought there was going to be a problem but that was not an issue.

*** Im still posting other info and pics as I go along. ***

Note... I left the hood ON CAR... so be very carefull when drilling holes and CUTTING with equipment that produces sparks. Gas as you know is flammable! I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING THIS OFF CAR!

The main tools that you will need are:

3/8 Drill
1/4 Drill bit
Unibit for up to 1/2 holes ( 1/4 Shank )
Roto Tool (Dremel)
Dremel EZ Lock Mandrel and 1 1/2 Cut Off Wheels
Mini Nibbler from Eastwood Co.
A Pair of Tin Snips
Sharpie Marker


Pre-Cut Setup: I took the louvers, switching the left side with the right side, flipped them upside down then went around the outside of them using a Sharpie Marker. Now you have a louver tracing that you will see on the hood.


The louver placement is 4 inches from the right edge of the hood ( Same for the left )and 6 1/2 inches (from the highest point on the louver) to the upper edge ( windshield ) of the hood.

Thing to remember here is DONT CUT THE OUTSIDE LINE FIRST! LOL... that would be a very big mistake.

An inside line was used for drill points. I got that by measuring 5/8 from the louver tracing. I drilled 13 holes using the 1/4 bit just inside of that line. Those holes will allow you to use the Mini Nibbler. If the hole is to small to insert the nibbler, then use the Unibit to make it a little larger.



Pic below is where the Dremel steps in to help remove the rest of the sheet metal. Once that's done, start checking the louver for fitment. You'll notice if more metal needs to be removed.

*** Note. This picture shows the louver BEFORE I cut off all the tabs on it. There was a fitment issue when I left those on. In the second part I'll have the pics of what it should look like.



I started removing metal from the fender side first. Check the fit.



The pic below shows what underhood pieces will need to be cut / removed.





This is what you should end up with. A Pretty good fit to the fender side. And it's right at 4 inches from the edge of the hood.



Stay Tuned for the Second Part...

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Nice, post some how to's or problems run into during install and lots of pics for us please. Good luck!

[Mikes_95_Berry]

Installed... but not perfect yet. I will put up more info ASAP.

I burned up my Roto Tool that was made by Benchtop ( K Mart sold them at one time ), so had buy a new Dremel 200 @ Lowe's today to finnish.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Looking righteous dude! Keep up the good work! Painting yourself I presume?

[Asylum]

Well you did a good job, but I'm not a fan of the vents pointing inward.

No one would ever design it that way.

[speedygtz]

assylum, he said he did it for a specific reason, but he's not telling us why just yet, im sitting here wondering just what the reason may be....

[heavywoody]

My guess is that he doesn't have the drip trays, and by pointing the louvers inward, it allows for the rain that will enter the engine bay to drain far enough away from any other components.

[3X00-Modified]

I think I like were you put them... you didnt kill THAT much structure of the hood... I'll have to look at that and see if it will work out for me.

[michi]

Looks nice, good work

[SuzukiGhostRider]

I like the placement as well. Looks good.

[Mikes_95_Berry]

(asylummotorsports @ Apr. 07 2008,06:55)QUOTEWell you did a good job, but I'm not a fan of the vents pointing inward.

No one would ever design it that way.
But I was going for the NASCAR look... always making left turns...



LOL! Let you guys figure that one out....

... im working on getting the info up in a day or so. Been busy with other stuff.

[Mikes_95_Berry]

This is the Second Part...

FYI... I now have the louver openings facing to the outside....



Alright... back to the cutting:

Here is the start of the left side opening... with the drill holes. These pics should give the general idea.



Starting to cut away...



... to expose the underside of the hood...



and the removal of it. Do this in small pieces.



Cut the outlayer piece... to expose the underhood to be removed ( this is when my Roto Tool died! )




Now for some of the Issues...

These tabs that hold the drain pan piece...


I used the Dremel to remove the ones on the left. Do it to both of them. Im working on an idea to use those pans.



Ok...  this is what the opening should finally look like


Underneath... I got new M4 .70 x10mm lengths Hex Cap Screws and I used 7/8 x 3/8 Metal Mirror Clips to hold the louvers in place. I got that hardware from Lowe's.


Later... In Part Three... I'll be cleaning up the underhood with some aluminum flashing...

[Styluss]

I love that mod. I ahve been rocking it for a while now. thing is, when I repainted my car i put them in "backwards". They are in like yours, with the vents inward. I dont like the look at all. I need to get another hood and do it again!

[Mikes_95_Berry]

A little update for some questions that got asked...



Sanded the center of the hood and primered. Need to finnish the rest. But...

The underhood area is where it needs the most work. I got an idea to cover up the holes that got made in the process of doing these louvers.

Im going to use those rainwater diverters, too.