[Brad96]

I did a search, but couldn't find where anyone has added extraction vents to a factory V1 hood. If anyone has already done it, I would love to see pictures.

The reason I'm interested is because I run the Big Bend Open Road Race (bborr.com) almost every April, and I'm thinking about running my V next year. Especially if I add a belly pan under the engine compartment, I'm going to need to let the air escape out through the hood, both for radiator airflow and to minimize aerodynamic lift.

So, I'm thinking about TrackSpec Motorsports (trackspecmotorsports.com) louvers. Of course, they don't offer a fitment specifically for the V1, but the C6 kit looks like it might go well with the Caddy's body lines. To get a better idea, I cut out some cardboard pieces to the dimensions from TrackSpec's website, and laid them out on my hood.

First, here's what the underside of the factory hood looks like without the insulation (in case you've never seen it):

And, here's the hood with my cardboard pieces on it:

 

[Brad96]

Thanks, AAIIC. I did read your posts about the Lumina vents some time back. But, when I went to post my thoughts on Sunday, I couldn't quickly find it. I do like how they turned out on crankedupforit's hood.

The C6 layout that I showed above looks a little crowded to me. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of room under the hood to spread the 3 vents out further, without compromising their function. When I get a little free time, I'll try mocking up a pair of TrackSpec Motorsports' "Large Angular Universal Hood Louvers" to see how that simpler set up looks and fits.

 

[Brad96]

Here's how the large universal vents might lay out:

It's definitely a lot less crowded, but also less open area for moving air, and maybe doesn't match the angled lines of the stock hood as well.

 

[Brad96]

I agree that the smaller louvers from the C6 kit better match the hood lines, because they're tapered. I was thinking that they're too small by themselves. But, comparing dimensions, they're not much smaller than the "Large Universal" louvers.

The big center louver by itself would probably be more effective at venting under-hood air at speed than the two louvers placed further back. The main reason I like the idea of having those two back there, is to give heat coming off the headers (that I don't have yet) somewhere to go, when the car is parked hot. Otherwise, the engine compartment turns into such an oven, and all the plastic bits get baked to death. It seems like having openings in the hood directly over the headers (or as close as possible) would provide the best opportunity for natural convection to do its thing and minimize under-hood temperatures after parking.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

 

[Brad96]

I just ordered the C6 T1 louver kit. Once the actual louvers and templates come in, I can work on the layout some more. Currently, I'm just estimating with cardboard, because TrackSpec's website doesn't provide all of the dimensions. If I can't find a layout that I like, I'll consider shortening 1 or more of the louvers, or not installing all 3 pieces.

 

[Brad96]

Here's how it looks with the center vent installed:

 

[Brad96]

Thanks! Despite being marketed for the C6, I think it's a close enough match to look pretty good on our V1's.

I haven't reinstalled the hood insulation yet, so here's how it looks from the underside: