Bonnet Vents

[zcar]

The bonnet on the 390SE is a plain one, with no vents, since its an early car. I cant see how it would be possible to fit standard vents into it as they appear to be moulded in, so I was wondering if anyone has fitted any aftermarket vents and what they looked like?
Nick

[L33]

Best getting yourself a 2nd hand 400se bonnet with the vents already installed. They come up every now and again for about £100.
Circks aftermarket vent on his 450se is the only decent looking one I've seen.

Pic of vent on his profile here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

[mikeb]

I have a set of TET moldings bonnet vents in raw GRP someplace. Have to cut a hole and glass 'em in, rub them down and then re-paint them.

I will see if I can find them.

MikeyB

[zcar]

MikeyB,
Let me know if you find them, Im interested.
Nick

[gsx600]

I tried cutting some in on a 350 once, but wished I'd spent the extra money just buying the 400 bonnet. as they were a pain to fit

[TVR 3X]

You could just do what the factory did on the 420 SEAC Racers - Just drill holes in the bonnet in situ and then file them cosmetically.

When Carrie and I visited the factory - 1985 or 1986 we were taken to see the racer and you could see the drill marks in the inner wing where the drill had gone too far. I think it is still possible to see faint witness marks on Jeff Statham's car to this day.

Russ

[zcar]

gsx600 said:

I tried cutting some in on a 350 once, but wished I'd spent the extra money just buying the 400 bonnet. as they were a pain to fit

But when youve got a dad who used to work in GRP then thats not a problem!!!

TVR 3X said:

You could just do what the factory did on the 420 SEAC Racers - Just drill holes in the bonnet in situ and then file them cosmetically.

When Carrie and I visited the factory - 1985 or 1986 we were taken to see the racer and you could see the drill marks in the inner wing where the drill had gone too far. I think it is still possible to see faint witness marks on Jeff Statham's car to this day.

Russ

Russ, Thats actually not a bad idea!! Must go a searching for some pics of this car.
Nick

[TVR 3X]

It's the yellow one that attends BBWF regularly - there must be pictures galore.

Russ

[Gandalf]

Would it be THIS one boys?
[pic][/pic]

[zcar]

That looks like the car, but thats got normal vent slots. Ive found a pic over on the seacpages website with the small holes drilled in, could be an option .
Nick

[Poledriver]

zcar said:

That looks like the car, but thats got normal vent slots. Ive found a pic over on the seacpages website with the small holes drilled in, could be an option .
Nick

Do you have a link?

[zcar]

http://www.theseacpages.co.uk/racer.aspx

About third of the way down, its only a black & white pic but the car is taking a right hander at speed.

Nick

[Poledriver]

zcar said:

http://www.theseacpages.co.uk/racer.aspx

About third of the way down, its only a black & white pic but the car is taking a right hander at speed.

Nick

Cheers, seen it now.

So....... I you drill holes like this in GRP, what should you do to smooth and protect the sides of the holes, I assome that we need to stop water getting in between the laminations?

[zcar]

Yeah, you'd need to seal the edges either with some resin (clear perhaps) or paint it with two pack.
Ive deceided that the holes look ok on a race car but they wouldnt suit the road car.
Nick