Warped Vents

[Fubar]

Fancy you should post that today, I was just about to look for this thread to revive it. Thanks, AZGT

 

[SteveA]

Spent some more time on the project yesterday. Think we are making progress. Issues were discussed regarding the type of alumimun and casting (difficult because of the number of fins / runners). Still going forward, as we think we have solved some of the dfficulty issues (see below).

At this point it looks like some preliminary models will be forthcoming, so we will see if they will cast.

Idea still is a set of all four vents, and powder coated black.

More to come, just wanted to let eveyone know that I am still working on the project, and so far is still going forward.

Just got a little delayed - one of the other manufacturers stroked me for 5 weeks before saying they couldn't do it :thumbsdow (Aso had another say not possible, buy they told me in a week - now working with someone that says they think it can be done.).

Thanks for the continued effort. I am still very interested but would like the option of them not being powder coated so they can be easily painted to match the white stripes.
Also I got my car back from the dealer with a new set of vents and they are already bent down and stressed (but not cracked) in the exact same spot they had cracked previously. I am convinced it's not the vents but how the are installed as to why this is so random from car to car.

 

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

:frown I have to say that after fitting the Accufab exhaust, mine (the inner painted ones) are starting to get small ripples in them.

 

[AZGT]

I ........ would like the option of them not being powder coated so they can be easily painted to match the white stripes.

I can make that a choice.

I am convinced it's not the vents but how the are installed as to why this is so random from car to car.

I posted before that I was surprised at how loose the nuts were when I took them off. I had the vents off before, and so I know how tight the nuts were when they went back on. I had wondered if maybe they were loose and it "allowed" the warp, whereas tight may make them conform (don't think it is true, but hey....... ) I would recommended everyone check their nuts :banana

 

[Empty Pockets]

I would recommended everyone check their nuts :banana

...especially good advice for any male under 35. :bored

 

[KJRGT]

I had the inner and outer vents replaced from warpage. When I got home I did a nut check and they were pretty loose. I figure that's because the threaded stud the nut goes on is inserted into the plastic vent, meaning it won't take much torque on the nut to break the plastic flange. A little dab of locktite on the threads and now I'm in good shape.

 

[Mark O]

I would recommended everyone check their nuts

...especially good advice for any male under 35. :bored

Tis much better to have someone of the opposite gender check them for you.......no matter what age you are. :thumbsup

 

[AZGT]

New update.

We have reached agreement and are on the go ahead to start prototypes. I expect those in a couple of weeks.

I did ask if it would be possible to have some initial prototypes by the B-J dinner, but that is cutting it close and probably won't happen, but we'll see.

They are going to be cast aluminum. Doing the two top and two side vents. they will be close to OEM look, but not exact. Don't want copyright or other infringement issues to worry about since this is just basically for this group.

I will try to see if we can do them with a couple of options (1) powder coated black to match the color of the rear facia grills (2) annodized black to match (3) plain aluminum so that they could be painted by the owner to match the stripe (4) plain aluminum top and colored side vents. Was even thinking that it would even be interesting to even polish, leave natural, or maybe brush finish. That may be an owner option based on the plain aluminum (might work on silver stripe cars or bling mobiles :biggrin.)

I will need to look at the final castings. Powder coating hides some of the flaws, but has a look to it. Annodizing would probably be more appropriate, but would require a finer casting and has its own issues.

We'll see.

Just keeping eveyone in the loop. :thumbsup

 

[Shadowman]

New update.

We have reached agreement and are on the go ahead to start prototypes. I expect those in a couple of weeks.

I did ask if it would be possible to have some initial prototypes by the B-J dinner, but that is cutting it close and probably won't happen, but we'll see.

They are going to be cast aluminum. Doing the two top and two side vents. they will be close to OEM look, but not exact. Don't want copyright or other infringement issues to worry about since this is just basically for this group.

I will try to see if we can do them with a couple of options (1) powder coated black to match the color of the rear facia grills (2) annodized black to match (3) plain aluminum so that they could be painted by the owner to match the stripe (4) plain aluminum top and colored side vents. Was even thinking that it would even be interesting to even polish, leave natural, or maybe brush finish. That may be an owner option based on the plain aluminum (might work on silver stripe cars or bling mobiles :biggrin.)

I will need to look at the final castings. Powder coating hides some of the flaws, but has a look to it. Annodizing would probably be more appropriate, but would require a finer casting and has its own issues.

We'll see.

Just keeping eveyone in the loop. :thumbsup

From this end semi-gloss black powder coated would be just the ticket for me. It will appear as OEM, offer a consistant finish, weather the test of time, and not have the discoloration issues that black anodized pieces will have over time when exposed to the sun.

Thank you for pushing the project through

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[AZGT]

From this end semi-gloss black powder coated would be just the ticket for me. It will appear as OEM, offer a consistant finish, weather the test of time, and not have the discoloration issues that black anodized pieces will have over time when exposed to the sun.

Thanks for the opinion - that is what I am looking for, to get a feel for what everyone wants. That is the way I am leaning - just need to see an end result.

I also figured that the black would probably work and not need to be painted to match the stripes (with the plain aluminum for those that want to match - I'm lazy and want a bolt on for me).

 

[SteveA]

Thanks for the update!

 

[MAD IN NC]

Powdered coat black side's for me.... Top grates? hmmmmm.

Thanks for the update :cheers

 

[rsvdhd]

Does anyone have pictures of the warping problem? I haven't seen this yet on my car - as well does someone have pictures of the potential replacement?

 

[MAD IN NC]

Does anyone have pictures of the warping problem? I haven't seen this yet on my car - as well does someone have pictures of the potential replacement?

The vents are on the clam shell itself, rear and the one's in discussion are the two long 2 1/2" by 24" side vents (driver and passenger side vertically grilled) and the two on the top between the rear window to the tail horizontally mounted about ~ 5" by 24" that if you have a striped car are painted to match the stripe.

The side vents on my car are the third set. Car is Blk and it gets warm in NC.

Others are seeing problems with the "top vents". While I haven't yet, I've ~ 10k miles and expect to in the near future with some new planned upgrades....:biggrin

 

[AZGT]

Does anyone have pictures of the warping problem? I haven't seen this yet on my car - as well does someone have pictures of the potential replacement?

The "potential replacements" are what are now in development.

MAD correctly indicated the 4 vents on the clamshell. Made of plastic, and not real heat friendly. Don't know why, but some warp (get wavy), some don't. Did a survey on it, and nothing definite came out.

My tops have warped, but not my sides. Different parts warp on different cars.

 

[jtedm89]

Fix vents

Present original owner of a 2006 FORD GT with 18,000 miles on it, and my vents are cracking. I think the warping is regional it seems to be in all the warmer states, and looks like it is on cars with stock exhaust, verses modified. Presently having a set of bullet aluminum made for my car and they are pricey. The company I’m working with is a Ford vender. We plan to bring to production carbon fiber sets also aluminum sets if there is a demand. Carbon Fiber should be about $300 each and match factory originals which cost about $200 each Right now I want to see how interest there is, I’m told I can have parts in about 8 weeks. My car is located in Wisconsin and there is a picture on this web site, it’s blue. Contact Mike at 1-262-902-3420, Interested.

 

[B O N Y]

I'm interested in CF vents. CF=good
welcome to our site,... where in cheeseland are you located in?

 

[Fubar]

We plan to bring to production carbon fiber sets also aluminum sets if there is a demand. Carbon Fiber should be about $300 each and match factory originals which cost about $200 each.

Is that $300 per vent or per set? And are you going to make 2 sets of vents? One for all four applications.

I would be a player on some aluminum vents if you can get them close enough to spec. The original vents have a nasty little arch to them that I would imagine is hard to replicate on a CNC machine.

Thanks for your post. I envy your 18,000 miles :biggrin

 

[Pete S.]

Does anyone have pictures of the warping problem? I haven't seen this yet on my car - as well does someone have pictures of the potential replacement?

Not the best photo's, but it is pretty easy to see that the vents are no longer straight across, especially toward the back of the clamshell....

http://home.comcast.net/~petraathome/warped01.htm

Pete S.

 

[somelee]

From this end semi-gloss black powder coated would be just the ticket for me. It will appear as OEM, offer a consistant finish, weather the test of time, and not have the discoloration issues that black anodized pieces will have over time when exposed to the sun.

Thank you for pushing the project through

Takes care

Shadowman

+1