Old skool hood vent...

[KATwo40]

Got over having super heat under the hood on my S13 KADET, so I went searching for vents. After hours and hours and hours of nothing but "JDM TYTE, YO!" style vents, I gave up.

Then, about 2 months ago, I'm making runs @ Deal's Gap, otherwise known as Tail of the Dragon on the NC/TN border (11mi, 318curves, 2lane road). While I'm up there I meet a guy with an old 280Z who happens to have some vents out of an old ZX. Since his house was on my way home, I stopped by and bought a set, but only used one.

Here's how it turned out.

[DammitBobby]

That really looks good! I bet it keeps the temps down. Did you install it yourself?

[matt black]

that looks reall nice.. do u know what year 280z vent i should look for?

[KATwo40]

Yes, I painted and installed it myself. I'll get some cleaner looking photos next week when my wheels come. I'll post those up, as well.

The guy told me those vents came in a 1977 280ZX Turbo. I'd say just look up 280Z hood vent on Ebay and you might find one?

Thanks for the props. And yes, keeps the underhood temps WAY down.

[Jookmasta]

im not usually one for hood vents but that is a clean job. very inventive as i dont think anyone here would think of using vents from a 280Z........good stuff

[4felix20]

maybe check out the '79 280Zs too. they have vents also, but a bit smaller i think.

[fiznat]

That is a really cool idea!

I was always wanting to do something like that- the hood area there would get SO hot... It would actually deform upwards after a hard drive, and sitting around the cooling car afterwards I could hear the metal popping back into shape. Lol yeah, that area could definitely use the fresh, cool air. Looks kinda sweet also. hmmmm

[jollygreen]

the only concern i'd have would be water getting on your electronics when it rained

[KATwo40]

the only concern i'd have would be water getting on your electronics when it rained

I considered this problem, also. As of now, there have been no ill effects from the rain. The vent dumps about 2" past the air filter, so no water gets to the intake. The only electrical piece exposed to water is the coil.

I'll probably make a custom rubber boot (think 87 Pathfinder coil cover) out of a tire innertube and some do-it-yourself snap buttons at the local craft store. That will pretty much finish that off. However, when I step up later to the MSD ignition, I'll mount it in a safe place. Or maybe even build a little water tight box for it.

[4felix20]

a little dialectric grease, sometimes sold as silicon grease, rubbed on and around contacts or exposed terminals would help alot at keeping moisture out.

[xTearsFallForeverx]

yah im not one for hood vents either.. but i really like that. its a great idea. ive thought about doing something like this before.. but not with 280 vents. looks great.

[Chezedik]

I taken the boat to custom hood vent-land, and speaking from experience, find a good way to keep water out of the MAFS. A lot of people on this board will tell you that a bad MAF will not keep a car from running because it will run in limp home. But if it is bad enough (due to rain water), it will keep it from running. So be warned, I always thought about making a shield for the intake using a filter housing from a newer Ford full size. Basically, just be warned.

[KATwo40]

That's good advice. As of now, no water gets into the MAF, but I'm sure some gets on it.

Maybe it's a good time to get a Z32 MAF and go blow-thru.

[Chezedik]

As I understand, there is never a bad time.

[Chezedik]

Oh, and in it is the big deal, because on the S13, the sample area goes straight into the board for the sensor. I took mine apart after I got a new one, and it was corroded terribly, but I think your vent would probably be cool. I may look into it.