Singular Motorsports NA & NB Hood Louvers GROUP BUY
#63
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 3,303
Total Cats: 1,216
The included cut template will take all the guesswork out of where to cut. Then it's just down to how to cut:
If you've done it before, you can finish the holes in a flash with a hole saw for the corners and an angle grinder with cut off wheel to connect between the corners.
I wouldn't recommend this to a first timer though. Both of those tools can get away from you in a heartbeat and cut or mar something beyond the area you want cut.
I do prefer an angle grinder for the straight sections, but a dremel with a small cutting wheel can do the same thing with less risk but will take more time. I usually cut the straight sections out first like this:
(the supplied cut template doesn't look like the one above, this was just when I was experimenting with the templates)
Once the straight cuts are done, you can smooth out any imperfections and work into the corners with a drum sander like this:
These work in air grinders, which is what I use, or the smaller ones fit in dremels. In the interest of making this easy to do on a budget, I made all of the radii on the holes no smaller than the ~0.8" diameter drum sanding bit for air grinders that they sell at Harbor Freight.
If you are able to achieve a nice, clean cut then painting the edge with a match to your hood's color can achieve a really clean install. This is what I did for the MSM in the original post.
For those worried about their cutting skills though, keep in mind that this kit includes rubber trim that can be fit over the cut edge and run the circumference of the hole, and this will give you a nice finished end result that hides any imperfections on the edge and you won't need to worry about painting.
One more side note, you can do this with the hood on or off the car - I did the full cutting and install on two cars without ever removing the hood just to make sure it could be done. The picture above is with the hood still on the car and a tarp just draped over the engine bay to keep debris out.
-Ryan
If you've done it before, you can finish the holes in a flash with a hole saw for the corners and an angle grinder with cut off wheel to connect between the corners.
I wouldn't recommend this to a first timer though. Both of those tools can get away from you in a heartbeat and cut or mar something beyond the area you want cut.
I do prefer an angle grinder for the straight sections, but a dremel with a small cutting wheel can do the same thing with less risk but will take more time. I usually cut the straight sections out first like this:
(the supplied cut template doesn't look like the one above, this was just when I was experimenting with the templates)
Once the straight cuts are done, you can smooth out any imperfections and work into the corners with a drum sander like this:
These work in air grinders, which is what I use, or the smaller ones fit in dremels. In the interest of making this easy to do on a budget, I made all of the radii on the holes no smaller than the ~0.8" diameter drum sanding bit for air grinders that they sell at Harbor Freight.
If you are able to achieve a nice, clean cut then painting the edge with a match to your hood's color can achieve a really clean install. This is what I did for the MSM in the original post.
For those worried about their cutting skills though, keep in mind that this kit includes rubber trim that can be fit over the cut edge and run the circumference of the hole, and this will give you a nice finished end result that hides any imperfections on the edge and you won't need to worry about painting.
One more side note, you can do this with the hood on or off the car - I did the full cutting and install on two cars without ever removing the hood just to make sure it could be done. The picture above is with the hood still on the car and a tarp just draped over the engine bay to keep debris out.
-Ryan
Last edited by ThePass; 08-19-2014 at 03:31 AM.
#67
Out of curiosity, how do you locate the template on top of the hood? I used to mark and drill guide holes from the bottom on S2000s, and when doing this with a GT500 vent.
BTW, to anybody doing this a first time, there are several layers to the stock Miata hood, and doing a nice job takes several hours. Taking your time pays dividends in final product appearance, though.
BTW, to anybody doing this a first time, there are several layers to the stock Miata hood, and doing a nice job takes several hours. Taking your time pays dividends in final product appearance, though.
#69
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Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 3,303
Total Cats: 1,216
The cut template has all 3 holes included in one piece, so their reltaionship to each other can't be messed up. All you do is center it on the hood and use a measuring tape to space the template X inches back from the front/center point of the hood and stick it on. Easy.
-Ryan
#70
I hear you, but it would also suck for me to take on a million orders at once and take months to deliver to anybody.
We could do another group buy with a staggered ship date to follow the first batch but I have my reservations about this. If we focused our energy on getting full production going on this instead of multiple group buys, we'll probably have them available in a larger quantity and at a steadier rate sooner. And then we're talking about something that is in stock - you order and it ships, and we all like that more than group buys anyways. So bear with us
-Ryan
We could do another group buy with a staggered ship date to follow the first batch but I have my reservations about this. If we focused our energy on getting full production going on this instead of multiple group buys, we'll probably have them available in a larger quantity and at a steadier rate sooner. And then we're talking about something that is in stock - you order and it ships, and we all like that more than group buys anyways. So bear with us
-Ryan
#71
Cover your blade with ATF... it won't pack up.
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OG Racing
Your Source For Motorsports Safety Equipment
WWW.OGRACING.COM
800.934.9112
703.430.3303
info@ogracing.com
#75
PS: i haven't received any payment requests..
__________________
OG Racing
Your Source For Motorsports Safety Equipment
WWW.OGRACING.COM
800.934.9112
703.430.3303
info@ogracing.com
OG Racing
Your Source For Motorsports Safety Equipment
WWW.OGRACING.COM
800.934.9112
703.430.3303
info@ogracing.com
#80
nope still nothing.. no email no payment request.
__________________
OG Racing
Your Source For Motorsports Safety Equipment
WWW.OGRACING.COM
800.934.9112
703.430.3303
info@ogracing.com
OG Racing
Your Source For Motorsports Safety Equipment
WWW.OGRACING.COM
800.934.9112
703.430.3303
info@ogracing.com