Speed holes!
 

In my track car build thread, I document the modifications to my MSM, mostly for reliability instead of extra speed. I thought a dedicated thread might be appropriate to show how I and two friends managed to install a set of NB-spec Singular Motorsports Hood Louvers (aka Speed Holes) in about six hours.




Here's my car with a completely unmolested hood. The paint job, however, is only slightly better than the one on the nose, which experienced the heartbreak of psoriasis after a really shoddy crash repair by the previous owner.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...358b60ce8f.jpg


The fins have to be carefully bent to about a 45 degree angle, after judicious application of a heat gun to prevent the powdercoating from flaking off

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...3b6fa50ed1.jpg


All three pieces complete. Now on to the next stage.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9da7ff6609.jpg


The upside-down umbrella is code for something - maybe a measurement?

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d355b9ca6c.jpg


The template is taped in place and then measured again (for good measure)

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e7f45cf91e.jpg


Part of the sticker didn't want to transfer off the backing paper

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...cf5b9d0825.jpg


That's okay, as we can just add it in afterwards

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9a77276c56.jpg

The first cut is the deepest. I'm new to this angle-grinder thingy, so I was a little trepidatious, to say the least. Blanket under the hood protects the engine bay.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...32d5c44505.jpg


Stay on target. The template sticker burns away at the edges as you cut, so there is precious little reference to go by if you stray from a straight line.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...bbdf59f3ba.jpg


Every hole needs to be looked at from a different angle

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0bbb1872cc.jpg


View from the under-side after a few cuts

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...65b39e6918.jpg


The main cuts in the top are complete and the edges are completed with a Dremel. The smaller cutting wheels disintegrate comically fast and we send a volunteer to Canadian Tire for additional supplies.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e4c0a250a4.jpg


Now the hood has to be removed so the supports can be trimmed. Make sure to leave as much material intact as possible in order to promote stiffness.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...05e4886a33.jpg


This one needed some additional trimming at the top

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...18bb987412.jpg


Not much guesswork needed on the center one

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...51e379e2c7.jpg


Additional trimming required here too. Not shown is a significant quotient of time to deburr and smooth out the cut edges. Then I hit the underside with some Tremclad high-temp paint and dabbed the edges with cotton buds dipped in paint (I couldn't find a paint brush).

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...3d374ce599.jpg


After adding the rubber trim, the louvers are held in place and a center punch marks the spots. Drilling ensues.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e90986d913.jpg


There is lots and lots of metal filings to contend with. They sure are attracted to fingerprints.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...5e84cec3ce.jpg

Louvers are then held in place and a pop-rivet gun works its magic

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...2e9007a1c5.jpg


Finished

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...418ec78be9.jpg


A view from the side...



https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...88eed10f96.jpg


...and the underside

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7541ddfa71.jpg


Not bad, for a bunch of amateurs

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ecf67e9bc6.jpg


An every-so-slightly different viewpoint

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c8720495ff.jpg


Some of the aftermath

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...03e85a7b6d.jpg


Time to strike a pose

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...68406172f7.jpg


All in all, it wasn't a terrible chore and it went much more smoothly than I could have hoped for. Of course, beer and pizza helped fuel the troops and keep morale high.

You might wonder, how did it all work out? My next track day was held in cool, overcast weather, so it wasn't an apples-to-apples comparison. However, I was easily able to complete a 20 minute session with no discernible timing retard, so I think it can be considered a success. The acid test will be at MRLS next month.