Exterior 1st Gen Vented A-Panels

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by N2MINI, Apr 21, 2014.

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  1. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    Ever since I saw some fiberglass ones on Ebay 6 years ago I have thought of making my own. Saw someone on NAM do it and thought I can do that, but wanted to take it a step further and or alittle different. They really serve no purpose other then looks since the fender liner is right up against them and blocks any usefulness from them. But on the plus side the liner also keeps the tires from throwing nasty water and the such thru the vents!!!
    Step 1- buy cheap replacement panels from USautoparts.com
    Step 2-procure some used plastic wheel trim to use to mark the radius on the panel to keep from having to take my good ones off the car. Measure and mark all cuts on panel. 1 long radius and 2 straight cuts.
    Step 3- take a deep breath and start cutting with jigsaw.
    Step 4- fit and cut 1/16'' metal for top and bottom straight cuts and I used 3/16'' metal for the fins. Rounded "showing" edge and put slight radius on back side to match curve of A-Panel once it was rolled inward. Roughtly 1/2'' at bottom and 2'' at top.
    Step 5- Weld using as low of heat setting as possible but yet getting a good weld to keep from warping the A-panel. Welded the flat stock for the straight cuts all on the back side so everything is clean on the face of it. The Fins were welded on the bottom and under the long radius cut.. so you can't see the welds unless you look up under there..
    Step 6- fit "gutter mesh" held in place with a few very small bolts JB welded to back side of panel.
    Step 7- clean up welds and paint.
    Step 8- Install and it was a royal PITA getting to the bolts and the such. I remember Nathan waaaay back mentioning that if you did vented A-panels you'd need to paint the windshield washer reservoir black as you'd be able to see it on the passenger side. So I knew it was there but didn't know how much room I had to work with. WELL, you have very little room to work with. I had already told myself that if need be I'd just take the reservoir off and not run one since I hardly ever used it anyway. So after staring at it for awhile just took the thing off. My only concern was a warning light from the sensor, but nothing. Guess it will only come on IF I tried to use it then it'd tell me I'm low on fluid. I don't have pics of each step but a couple of them before paint and a couple after install..
     

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  2. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    After install..
     

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  3. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    Nice job! Did you vinyl cover them?
     
  4. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    Teaser pics of next project. Molded brake duct and aero shaped splitter.
     

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  5. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Very nice.....:Thumbsup:
     
  6. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    Thanks, nah had them painted sense I was also getting the bumper painted..
     
  7. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    GrayRaven..a MOD on NAM has the fiberglass ones you mentioned...
    looks decent...but was a pain to install....the fit was iffy.
    Sounds like your mod to the stock might be better...
     
  8. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #8 Mr. Jim, Apr 21, 2014
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2014
    I've got a set of the fiber ones at the painter right now. I pre-fit them before I took them.

    As soon as I took delivery of them, Orranje in the UK came out with vented metal ones made from OEM A panels! Their cost painted was cheaper than the fiberglass ones I got without the paint!

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    GrayRaven .... a MOD on the NAM. LMFAO

    N2MINI nice job and they look great and I am sure they are better made.
     
  10. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Looking great N2!
     
  11. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    Thanks, and thanks again for the plastic trim pieces..
     
  12. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    That is some great looking fab work.
    And those ones from Orranje look nice too.
     
  13. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    Those are Duell a panels, the Orrange look like this....

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    N2MINI those look great by themselves but have you ever thought of tying them together by painting the cowl area black also? The area where the between the the hood and windshield where the wipers and hood vents are. :confused5::idea:

    I think it would look great and unique. :ihih:
     
  15. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    Do you know what all is involved to get the cowl off Dave? Its not a very easy job... I know!

    You could always have it sprayed in place, but wheres the fun in that...
     
  16. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Ummm....the link goes to the Orranje site :confused:
     
  17. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Well nothing unique is ever easy, if it was M7 and ALTA would be selling it. :lol:

    My plan would paint it on the car. Remove vents, wipers, lower windshield trim and mask the rest off. :ihih:
     
  18. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    Hadn't thought about it but might just work.. Could always do it in vinyl or plasti-dip to see before going all out..
     
  19. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

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    Nice job! I think I have already mentioned this will be my first winter project. I have seen a few MINIs that have carried the A Panel design through the cowl area, it does look nice and it seems to be a nice finishing touch. Plasti-dip would be a great test.
     
  20. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    Great job on the metal work
     

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