Interior/Exterior Cool MINI hood.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,337
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From: oh10
Originally Posted by MGCMAN
These look like ready-made louvers to me in a righthand / lefthand configuration. Anyone know who makes the kit? Where available? How much Bling $$?
They are indeed ready-made inserts...you will notice above that i noted that they are in fact carbon fiber inserts that are molded into the hood. I am awaiting a response from the linked company on price of those and their roll cages....including shipping possibilities to the US
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,268
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From: Left Coast
Originally Posted by peterwhit
I believe that is an S hood. The placing of the vents seems like a bad idea it it were to rain. The driver's side is directly over the air intake and that could lead to water in the engine. Any thoughts about potential harm?
This seems such a logical question that I hope some Spock on NAM can respond.
I haven't studied the engine compartment of a MINI (mine has yet to arrive and even if it had I wouldn't know enough to answer the question).
My golden days (or minutes 3 decades ago) E-Type Jaguar had bonnet louvers on both sides. In the rain the exhaust side (in front of the driver in the USA) sizzled and steamed. No harm on the intake side though. And they looked best when viewed from the cockpit.
I fully support countrym's position about fake scoops and louvers and wanting them to be purposeful (very much in the Colin Chapman-Alec Issigonis modernist camp) beyond visual bling (or boasting bling).
Question: I was led to believe that the lower portion of the MINI's grill is a blank. When I saw a photo of a JCW test car without that lower grill it looked awkward at first, but then I didn't mind when I realized why. Has anyone on NAM removed that lower grill?
Is that too many queries in one post?
And yet another question. Sorry. I retreat now to attend to my dreaded labors.
Intake problems
If you use the stock MCS intake or the JCW, you should be fine. With aftermarket intakes such as Alta, K & N, Pilo, BMP/ProMini, you'd probably have a problem in a downpour, (unless you're driving at highway speeds). But sitting at a stoplight in a rain storm would allow water to pour into those louvers, right on top of your filter!
You'll notice that these cars with louvered hoods are RACE cars; not daily drivers. Keep that in mind before trying to order them~
You'll notice that these cars with louvered hoods are RACE cars; not daily drivers. Keep that in mind before trying to order them~
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
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From: Burning-Ham Alabama
It might even look better just to put a single louver in on the right side of the bonnet. No water in the intake issues but you still get the air flow and a tricky looking asymmetrical look as well. . . .
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 959
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From: Near Gaithersburg, MD
Originally Posted by countrym
That's cool, but are they functional? I adhere to the philosophy that all scoops, louvers, spoilers, etc. should be functional. I get annoyed when I see those stuck-on fake scoops that don't actually have openings in them.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 378
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From: Jacksonville FL
Maybe some of the vendors selling CF hoods will have some different options some day? I'm not a huge fan of some of the aero kits out there but would like to see more options for us MINI folks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,337
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From: oh10
Originally Posted by doomsdaybob
Maybe some of the vendors selling CF hoods will have some different options some day? I'm not a huge fan of some of the aero kits out there but would like to see more options for us MINI folks.
Along time ago M7 was talking about having louvers on their hood...dont know if that is still a possibility though
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