I noticed that my Intake Air Temps (AIT) were really getting high with the stock intercooler and this hot weather. I was seeing a peak IAT of over 60*F above ambient. I had to get the hot air out. The cure: A pair of stainless steel bildge vents, a cutoff wheel, and black plastidip. In my eyes, the design matches the rat rod styling of the Wildebeest. The result quicker intercooler recovery, longer time before soak, and an average of 25*F lower AIT.
I know this was for function and not looks. And you report it functions well, which is excellent. That said...there's only a handful of MINIs that look would work with. And that's one of them. I like it Please... PLEASE... don't everyone go out and copy this. Odds are it will look like CRAP on your car. :lol:
Ok I like the hood, vents thay are cool. I did notice something else. The wheels arches are held on with bolts which look cool. How did you guys do that? I zoomed in 400 % and I can see that you put nuts on the studs. How did you make the little cups in the arch that hold the nut to the stud?
Ha! Most of those studs are cut off. The wheel arches have about 1" cut off and the rest is bent upwards to clear the tires. I screws and glued the arches to the car body. Remember I paid cash for the car and don't care a bit about maintaining resell value.
Man that is one sweet MINI! +1 to what BlimeyCabrio said I have seen 2 MINI's that look good with hood vents, this one and the louvers on Nathan's...
Very cool! (no pun intended ). Actual louvers cut into the bonnet might be an interesting mod. I live in York, PA- the annual location of the East Coast Street Rod Nationals .. At the show there are loads of shops who cut and form louvers in the hoods of the "rats". OK this might be a bit much but you get the idea.
I've been thinking of using bilge vents, too! I'm toying with these 3 options: Sea Dog Abs 5 Slot Vnt-Black SDG-337291 - Louver Vents - JMSOnline.net Marine Supply and Boating Store TROPHY BILGE BOAT EXHAUST VENT LOUVER MARINE BLACK | eBay Back to Boating Boat Parts - Featuring Attwood Gas Springs, Bilge Pumps, Navigation Lights, Boat Seats, Ventilation and Seat Hardware - Back to Boating Boat Parts - Featuring Attwood Gas Springs, Bilge Pumps, Navigation Lights
bahawton.... if you do add vents, the abs is much more sensitive to thermal expansion/ contraction than say a vent made from a metal. A metal vent will have similar coe as your stock MINI bonnet. You won't get the unsightly buckling gaps between the fasteners if you stay with steel....
Yes. you can see more updates here: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/exterior/13991-vented-hood-ait.html#axzz1zldXTEi9
Here's another option that has a honeycomb grille to match our cowl vents: Hex Vent 5GC Edition - Functional, heat extracting 2010-2013 Camaro hood vents
I was in Waynesboro today...probably fairly close to you. I actually like the idea of louvers on the bonnet if they aren't too excessive. Certainly would help to keep the AIT a bit cooler.