Fake side vents

**RickyD** · 08-18-2007, 07:54 PM

First I should say this mod was done on a base Sky not a turbo!!

Well, you know me always tinkering with the car.

So I decided to make those side vents really work. First I removed the panel then took a high speed wheel and cut out the back.
After I was done I washed them off thats why the one picture looks funny. It has water droplets on it. Then I put them back on and masked them off and painted them Satin Black. I then made my grill pieces and then installed them just holding them in place with a little silicone. Just to keep bird out really.
I am going to take some more under the hood temps tomorrow to see how they come out.

joker70 · 08-18-2007, 08:10 PM

Are the panels very hard to get off the car I have been wanting to do this since I got the car but am scared to pull them off due to paint quality.

MrSmoker · 08-18-2007, 08:19 PM

Me to, i think that looks great.

**RickyD** · 08-18-2007, 08:26 PM

No the panels come off real easy. There are 2 small ones on the top which you can see. Then the ones right behind the tire that go to the fender skirt, about 6 I think. Then there are 3 under the car. Two bigger ones and another small one. Then the fun one. There is one that if you open the door about half way you can get a 1/4 extension in there, from inside the car, to get that one and thats it. I don't know why I didn't do it right away. It took me only about 1 hour to do both. But of coarse I had air tools also.

**RickyD** · 08-18-2007, 08:27 PM

joker70 · 08-18-2007, 08:49 PM

thanks did the paint come off when you pulled the screws on the top ones?

snaponbob · 08-18-2007, 09:26 PM

Hate to be a wet blanket ................. but ------------

In June of 2006 there was a national Solstice convention here in Kansas City. GMPP sent a tractor trailer and so did Pontiac division. Lots on people from GM and Pontiac were there. So was a suspension engineer who was driving a pre-production prototype Redline. We had a very nice conversation. One of the topics was the side vents and the hood vents. He made it crystal clear that opening either top and/or side vents would cause some REAL problems. Apparently the air flow through the engine compartment has been pretty carefully developed. The problems he said that WOULD happen with open side vents is that too much hot air would flow out of them and would significantly elevate the temperature of the battery (on one side) and the ECU (on the other side) and would cause the "premature death" (failure) of both. I had no impression that he was blowing smoke up my shorts and I took his word for it.

Just thought I would pass along his comments.

jayman · 08-18-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

Hate to be a wet blanket ................. but ------------

In June of 2006 there was a national Solstice convention here in Kansas City. GMPP sent a tractor trailer and so did Pontiac division. Lots on people from GM and Pontiac were there. So was a suspension engineer who was driving a pre-production prototype Redline. We had a very nice conversation. One of the topics was the side vents and the hood vents. He made it crystal clear that opening either top and/or side vents would cause some REAL problems. Apparently the air flow through the engine compartment has been pretty carefully developed. The problems he said that WOULD happen with open side vents is that too much hot air would flow out of them and would significantly elevate the temperature of the battery (on one side) and the ECU (on the other side) and would cause the "premature death" (failure) of both. I had no impression that he was blowing smoke up my shorts and I took his word for it.

Just thought I would pass along his comments.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUUUUUUDGE!!!!

xmicro_Redline · 08-18-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

Hate to be a wet blanket ................. but ------------

In June of 2006 there was a national Solstice convention here in Kansas City. GMPP sent a tractor trailer and so did Pontiac division. Lots on people from GM and Pontiac were there. So was a suspension engineer who was driving a pre-production prototype Redline. We had a very nice conversation. One of the topics was the side vents and the hood vents. He made it crystal clear that opening either top and/or side vents would cause some REAL problems. Apparently the air flow through the engine compartment has been pretty carefully developed. The problems he said that WOULD happen with open side vents is that too much hot air would flow out of them and would significantly elevate the temperature of the battery (on one side) and the ECU (on the other side) and would cause the "premature death" (failure) of both. I had no impression that he was blowing smoke up my shorts and I took his word for it.

Just thought I would pass along his comments.

I too have the the exact same thing in regaurds to opening the engine compartment and letting any more air in. The engine heat would go where it shouldn't and cause damage.

I love the look but will not take the chance.

If I was you I would just leave them as is and seal up the back with soemthing black, they will still look functional!

shabby · 08-18-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

Hate to be a wet blanket ................. but ------------

In June of 2006 there was a national Solstice convention here in Kansas City. GMPP sent a tractor trailer and so did Pontiac division. Lots on people from GM and Pontiac were there. So was a suspension engineer who was driving a pre-production prototype Redline. We had a very nice conversation. One of the topics was the side vents and the hood vents. He made it crystal clear that opening either top and/or side vents would cause some REAL problems. Apparently the air flow through the engine compartment has been pretty carefully developed. The problems he said that WOULD happen with open side vents is that too much hot air would flow out of them and would significantly elevate the temperature of the battery (on one side) and the ECU (on the other side) and would cause the "premature death" (failure) of both. I had no impression that he was blowing smoke up my shorts and I took his word for it.

Just thought I would pass along his comments.

If thats the case then you should take off that magnaflow and put back the stock exhaust because you're increasing horsepower and could cause "premature death" to your engine

**Rustyknight** · 08-18-2007, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

Hate to be a wet blanket ................. but ------------

In June of 2006 there was a national Solstice convention here in Kansas City. GMPP sent a tractor trailer and so did Pontiac division. Lots on people from GM and Pontiac were there. So was a suspension engineer who was driving a pre-production prototype Redline. We had a very nice conversation. One of the topics was the side vents and the hood vents. He made it crystal clear that opening either top and/or side vents would cause some REAL problems. Apparently the air flow through the engine compartment has been pretty carefully developed. The problems he said that WOULD happen with open side vents is that too much hot air would flow out of them and would significantly elevate the temperature of the battery (on one side) and the ECU (on the other side) and would cause the "premature death" (failure) of both. I had no impression that he was blowing smoke up my shorts and I took his word for it.

Just thought I would pass along his comments.

This sounds like a real issue to me, I can remember in the late eighties when they first started putting electronic ignitions in cars, heat was a very big problem causing premature failure. If I remember right there might even have been a class action law suit against ford over the failures.

BlueSkyRL · 08-18-2007, 10:59 PM

I think they look great

BUT, the engineer snaponbob talked to is right about the heat issues. There was a post last fall about someone doing the same thing and took temp readings...got pretty hot if I remember right at the battery. Do your temp measuremnets and let us all know

**RickyD** · 08-18-2007, 11:36 PM

This is good to know. I was into thinking about the Eng compartment temps that I wasn't thinking about pulling more hot air over the ECM and battery.
It is possible I guess. While I take my temps maybe you guys could take the temps by the ECM and on the battery then we could compare them. I have noticed the the Eng compartment temp has gone down a lot. Just messing around town it usually ran 145-157 and this afternoon when it was 90+ it was showing from 115-127. If it does allow that much heat to get out then I am going to leave them and just put a insulation blanket are both

BlueSkyRL · 08-18-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyD

This is good to know. I was into thinking about the Eng compartment temps that I wasn't thinking about pulling more hot air over the ECM and battery.
It is possible I guess. While I take my temps maybe you guys could take the temps by the ECM and on the battery then we could compare them. I have noticed the the Eng compartment temp has gone down a lot. Just messing around town it usually ran 145-157 and this afternoon when it was 90+ it was showing from 115-127. If it does allow that much heat to get out then I am going to leave them and just put a insulation blanket are both

Interesting info. What are your temps around the battery/ECM?

**RickyD** · 08-19-2007, 11:22 PM

Ok Guys and Gals

I went out and drove about 40 miles, 10 each way 4 times.

first I drove it out of town 10 miles with the probe right down by the ECM monitoring then I stopped and switched it to the other side to check the temps around the battery.
I then drove back into town. and stopped at Wally World and got some duct tape and closed the vents off. and did the same thing. Then I thought ok, I'll tape the probe right to the side of the ECM to see what it is running at temp wise. Ok on the road, vents open, the temp around the ECM and the battery was only .5 off from outside air temp which was 92. In town it only ran about 11-12 degrees above 92 so about 103-104. not bad for running only 40 MPH. With the probe taped right to the ECM driving around town moving only 40MPH it never got above 127 stopped at a light, And as soon as I started moving again it would drop 10 degrees in only a few blocks. I know what the Saturn guy said and on paper they probably thought "better not open them up" but looking down into the engine compartment and seeing the ground in so many places. Trust me there is plenty of air moving around. I just gave it another place to escape

You have to remember the cooler you can keep any electronics, ECM or battery the better off you are and they will last longer also. I still have the probe taped to the side of the ECM and will watch it and let you know some more temps in a few days.

BSRL · 08-19-2007, 11:39 PM

Don't sweat it RickyD. I never bought the higher temps business if you open the side vents or the hood vents. Glad that someone is actually getting data on it instead of some anonymous engineer at GM.

I put the functional hood vents on my car over four months ago and have never had a problem, not with heat or rain. And since they sell the functional hood vents on saturnaccessories.com they can't say anything about it causing heat related failures and have it not covered by warrenty.

So what do all the ney sayers have to say about that??

By the way, they also sell the Fujita Air intake system there also, so again, can't say anything about warranty issues there either.

Sky Hi · 08-19-2007, 11:42 PM

I like the looks of your vent mods! Having the temp probe on the ECU will provide piece of mind and tell you if there really is a problem. Hope it works out for you.
I too thought about doing this, but just added black vinyl inside the vent holes.

Chemist · 08-20-2007, 12:07 AM

1) Looks good!

2) One very popular Solstice mod is Norm's replacement fenders with open (mesh) panels. People all seem to be running a few degrees cooler with them.

3) IMO, you should not lose any sleep over it.

xmicro_Redline · 08-20-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSRL

Don't sweat it RickyD. I never bought the higher temps business if you open the side vents or the hood vents. Glad that someone is actually getting data on it instead of some anonymous engineer at GM.

I put the functional hood vents on my car over four months ago and have never had a problem, not with heat or rain. And since they sell the functional hood vents on saturnaccessories.com they can't say anything about it causing heat related failures and have it not covered by warrenty.

So what do all the ney sayers have to say about that??

By the way, they also sell the Fujita Air intake system there also, so again, can't say anything about warrenty issues there either.

Saurnaccessories.com is just a dealer, not GM, so I am not sure if your warrantee angle will hold true. But we will have to just see what GM has to say about that, in the future.

xmicro_Redline · 08-20-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyD

Ok Guys and G

08-18-2007, 07:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
RickyD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 404 My Photos: (8)	Fake side vents First I should say this mod was done on a base Sky not a turbo!! Well, you know me always tinkering with the car. So I decided to make those side vents really work. First I removed the panel then took a high speed wheel and cut out the back. After I was done I washed them off thats why the one picture looks funny. It has water droplets on it. Then I put them back on and masked them off and painted them Satin Black. I then made my grill pieces and then installed them just holding them in place with a little silicone. Just to keep bird out really. I am going to take some more under the hood temps tomorrow to see how they come out. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by RickyD : 08-20-2007 at 11:42 PM.

08-18-2007, 08:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
joker70 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SoCal AtoZinUSA Posts: 318 My Photos: (1)	side vents Are the panels very hard to get off the car I have been wanting to do this since I got the car but am scared to pull them off due to paint quality.

08-18-2007, 08:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
MrSmoker First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix Posts: 106 My Photos: (0)	Me to, i think that looks great. __________________ Redline, Black w/ Red & Black interior 20" Foose Wheels Built 11/06,06,Vin #17944 Purchased 12/22/06 in Santa Clarita CA 3"Magnaflow Catback & CAI Windrestrictor V2

08-18-2007, 08:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
RickyD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 404 My Photos: (8)	Panels No the panels come off real easy. There are 2 small ones on the top which you can see. Then the ones right behind the tire that go to the fender skirt, about 6 I think. Then there are 3 under the car. Two bigger ones and another small one. Then the fun one. There is one that if you open the door about half way you can get a 1/4 extension in there, from inside the car, to get that one and thats it. I don't know why I didn't do it right away. It took me only about 1 hour to do both. But of coarse I had air tools also.

08-18-2007, 08:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
RickyD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 404 My Photos: (8)	Thanks Smoker

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08-18-2007, 08:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
joker70 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SoCal AtoZinUSA Posts: 318 My Photos: (1)	thanks did the paint come off when you pulled the screws on the top ones?

08-18-2007, 09:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
snaponbob First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lee's Summit, Mo. Posts: 1,336 My Photos: (0)	Hate to be a wet blanket ................. but ------------ In June of 2006 there was a national Solstice convention here in Kansas City. GMPP sent a tractor trailer and so did Pontiac division. Lots on people from GM and Pontiac were there. So was a suspension engineer who was driving a pre-production prototype Redline. We had a very nice conversation. One of the topics was the side vents and the hood vents. He made it crystal clear that opening either top and/or side vents would cause some REAL problems. Apparently the air flow through the engine compartment has been pretty carefully developed. The problems he said that WOULD happen with open side vents is that too much hot air would flow out of them and would significantly elevate the temperature of the battery (on one side) and the ECU (on the other side) and would cause the "premature death" (failure) of both. I had no impression that he was blowing smoke up my shorts and I took his word for it. Just thought I would pass along his comments. __________________ Redline (pre-halt), Pearl, Black/Red, complete option list except auto, owner installed lock buttons, painted calipers, Solo Performance 3" single cat-back, Koni S/A's, Kurt hitch, OZ's, 295/30 Hoosiers for Solo's

08-18-2007, 10:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
BlueSkyRL First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Up North! Posts: 975 My Photos: (0)	I think they look great BUT, the engineer snaponbob talked to is right about the heat issues. There was a post last fall about someone doing the same thing and took temp readings...got pretty hot if I remember right at the battery. Do your temp measuremnets and let us all know

08-18-2007, 11:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
RickyD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 404 My Photos: (8)	Mmmmmm? This is good to know. I was into thinking about the Eng compartment temps that I wasn't thinking about pulling more hot air over the ECM and battery. It is possible I guess. While I take my temps maybe you guys could take the temps by the ECM and on the battery then we could compare them. I have noticed the the Eng compartment temp has gone down a lot. Just messing around town it usually ran 145-157 and this afternoon when it was 90+ it was showing from 115-127. If it does allow that much heat to get out then I am going to leave them and just put a insulation blanket are both

08-19-2007, 11:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
RickyD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 404 My Photos: (8)	Actual temps. I think you all will be happy Ok Guys and Gals I went out and drove about 40 miles, 10 each way 4 times. first I drove it out of town 10 miles with the probe right down by the ECM monitoring then I stopped and switched it to the other side to check the temps around the battery. I then drove back into town. and stopped at Wally World and got some duct tape and closed the vents off. and did the same thing. Then I thought ok, I'll tape the probe right to the side of the ECM to see what it is running at temp wise. Ok on the road, vents open, the temp around the ECM and the battery was only .5 off from outside air temp which was 92. In town it only ran about 11-12 degrees above 92 so about 103-104. not bad for running only 40 MPH. With the probe taped right to the ECM driving around town moving only 40MPH it never got above 127 stopped at a light, And as soon as I started moving again it would drop 10 degrees in only a few blocks. I know what the Saturn guy said and on paper they probably thought "better not open them up" but looking down into the engine compartment and seeing the ground in so many places. Trust me there is plenty of air moving around. I just gave it another place to escape You have to remember the cooler you can keep any electronics, ECM or battery the better off you are and they will last longer also. I still have the probe taped to the side of the ECM and will watch it and let you know some more temps in a few days.

08-19-2007, 11:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
BSRL Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 746 My Photos: (2)	Open vents Don't sweat it RickyD. I never bought the higher temps business if you open the side vents or the hood vents. Glad that someone is actually getting data on it instead of some anonymous engineer at GM. I put the functional hood vents on my car over four months ago and have never had a problem, not with heat or rain. And since they sell the functional hood vents on saturnaccessories.com they can't say anything about it causing heat related failures and have it not covered by warrenty. So what do all the ney sayers have to say about that?? By the way, they also sell the Fujita Air intake system there also, so again, can't say anything about warranty issues there either. Last edited by BSRL : 08-20-2007 at 02:08 AM.

08-19-2007, 11:42 PM	#17 (permalink)
Sky Hi First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central Maine Posts: 293 My Photos: (4)	Good Luck I like the looks of your vent mods! Having the temp probe on the ECU will provide piece of mind and tell you if there really is a problem. Hope it works out for you. I too thought about doing this, but just added black vinyl inside the vent holes. __________________ SKY HI VIN#401, 2.4L Chrome Wheels Black Leather Spoiler Monsoon 6 CD DDM Supercharged Stage II, intercooled KS Windscreen Clear Bra Lil Chromies Redline Dual Exhaust Heated Seats Stubby Antenna Extra trunk space! Plate: SKY 401

08-20-2007, 12:07 AM	#18 (permalink)
Chemist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 170 My Photos: (0)	1) Looks good! 2) One very popular Solstice mod is Norm's replacement fenders with open (mesh) panels. People all seem to be running a few degrees cooler with them. 3) IMO, you should not lose any sleep over it. __________________ Envious, leather, loaded DDM Stage II S/C, headers/cat/exhaust, 4-piston brakes/slotted rotors, Probeam, Backbone, Kazera KZ-L wheels, TWEETY button, custom WR, LED int. lights, 3rd brake light pulser. -- *She moves!* NASSOA Founding Member