I've got vents from a late 70s (79, in my particular case) on mine, but it seems in most cases those aren't the same Trans Am vents that people are talking about.....
I've got vents from a late 70s (79, in my particular case) on mine, but it seems in most cases those aren't the same Trans Am vents that people are talking about.....
Sorry, I should have specified which ones...
The ones that go on the front fenders "skitime has them"
This is the way I did it... I put set the vent onto the fender where I wanted it and traced the out line of it onto the fender. so I had an idea of the size. after that I measured the back of the vent where the curve is....because that is all you will need to cut. I transfered that to where the cut is to be made in the fender.
Then I cut it out of the fender. As shown above. Then just place the vent into the hole in the fender to make sure it lays down flat. keep trimming until it lays flat on its own. adjust as needed to make it sits where you want it. you must cut of all the flanges on the back so it will sit flat, EXCEPT for the ones that hold the grill in place. Then I glued it will two part epoxy , clamped it together and let it sit overnight. You will notice that part of the vent hangs over the side of the fender...I cut mine off at a curve for filling later on.
Then comes the fun part....making the mess. Since I also shaved the trim on this peice it was more work. making sure it is strongly held in place (movement means cracking) , you sand the lip off the vents where they touch the fender. then to smooth that out you can fill it in with your choice of bondo ( I use boat bondo) . It may take quite a few coats in order it to take the shape of the fender. The edge of the vent I cut off, was filled with resin and then bondo was applied over it to make the taper of the fender. When you are happy with it, you prime it with a sandable primer and then if you find something that you dont like, you can use auto spot putty to fill very small defects. keep priming it and sanding it until you are very happy with it. Then paint it, take a picture of it and post it here so we all can see your work.
Hopes this helps. John
edited to add the finish project...
[This message has been edited by fiero67 (edited 09-03-2004).]
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05:25 PM
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
Ah, NICE! (clicks STAR) hope skitime chimes in with tips. I think they'd compliment the fierowarehouse side scoops I've got my eye on. Notice how the rub strip is below the top of the fender opening in the front, but it is the top of the rear? That's why I like the height of the Fiero Warehouse scoops in relation to the height of the trans Am scoops.
------------------ John DuRette, Custom 85 SE, PFF SUPPORTER
But the Trans Am Fender vents isn't all Im gonna be doing on this project...
Most likely, I'll be gettinbg some integrated rockers (from archie) and some wide front fenders (from Fiero Warehouse) and adding the vents to the rockers (maybe)
It'll be awhile b4 I do this, But not more than a month hopefully... I'm in the process of a fastback swap, Power accesories install (pm, pw, pl) a 2.8 drop, a Aero nose instal, and a sunroof install...
This project will be added in the mess... Mid as well do it all at once...
~Tim
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12:34 PM
Fie Ro Member
Posts: 3735 From: Soest, The Netherlands Registered: Sep 2001
I made a set of those from scratch some years ago! I ditched them finally because they didn't fit my bodymod plans at that time...Now with the new mods I am thinking of a walk around the fiero to look where else they could fit...
The boat kind of bondo looks like its a bit more flexible and more usable in this application. I have used some 1part+2parts paste mix, hardening takes about a day but I never saw it crack. * mental note to use this stuff for fenderwork!*
I made a set of those from scratch some years ago! I ditched them finally because they didn't fit my bodymod plans at that time...Now with the new mods I am thinking of a walk around the fiero to look where else they could fit...
The boat kind of bondo looks like its a bit more flexible and more usable in this application. I have used some 1part+2parts paste mix, hardening takes about a day but I never saw it crack. * mental note to use this stuff for fenderwork!*
I'll keep the boat bondo in mind...
Thanx abunch man...
~Tim
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08:56 PM
skitime Member
Posts: 5765 From: Akron, PA, USA Registered: Aug 2000
Seems this has become quite a popular mod I started. What I did differently than fiero67 is that I bonded my vent on the backside of the fender instead of the front. Either way should work.
------------------ Red 88 GT T-Top 3800 INTERCOOLED SUPERCHARGED White 88 GT Stock Please give me a rating if you appreciate my contribution. History of Skitimes Car
But the Trans Am Fender vents isn't all Im gonna be doing on this project...
Most likely, I'll be gettinbg some integrated rockers (from archie) ...~Tim
I know your plans have changed but I wanted to point out that the Integrated Rockers would almost completely cover up the Trans Am vents. I think it would be a waste to do both those mods together.
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10:27 PM
Oct 28th, 2004
Fiero5 Member
Posts: 8882 From: Arecibo, PR Registered: Jun 2000
I know this install put the vents on from the outside and Skitime said his went on from the back. I've got the parts in the garage (spare fenders, trans am vents) and I'm ready to buy a dremel and adheisive. Before I raise the blade, I'm wondering-what are the pros and cons of front versus rear install? which will give me a stronger bond? which will give me a smoother exterior finish?
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10:11 AM
Apr 23rd, 2005
Philphine Member
Posts: 6136 From: louisville,ky. usa Registered: Feb 2000
i trimmed off the whole trans am vent flange and molded it INTO the fender. not behind or in front, but flush. it worked great and i used way less bondo/filler i think. it boils down to which way you like. they way i did it forced me to build a fillet on the inside for a little more strength. anywho....
her are a few pics.
cut-out
vent trimmed and sitting flush
roughed up and filled in
i still have to finish them off but this should give antoher option. a few others have done it this way too i believe.
edit...for the cut-out. any way you choose to do it.....lay the left vent upside down on the right fender and trace it out. vice-versa for the other side. viola!!! a perfect fit every time with no measuring.
[This message has been edited by shawnkfl (edited 04-23-2005).]
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10:59 AM
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
dang shawn that looks good. Now I just wanna send all my parts to someone else to do them. You know you could do this and sell them on ebay for big bucks!
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12:20 PM
Apr 24th, 2005
shawnkfl Member
Posts: 2457 From: Largo, Florida Registered: Oct 2004
the vents typically can be found for $40.00 or so. after buying them and fenders and then doing the work to them i think the price would bee too high for them to sell. it's really pretty straight forward. you really don't need any special tools at all. i just used a jig saw and some sand paper. i held the vent in with epoxy glue just on the corners and only to hold it in place while i used the "bondo". i used smc adhesive to smooth it in. it's a good saturday job to do both.
