Vent System and Heater - Deleting What I Don't Need, Keeping the Defrost

[Ove]

I removed the heavy engine compartment blower a long time ago and decided it was time to loose some weight from the front end as well. First I removed the stock parts:



I need defrost for driving in the winter and also for when it rains. So I knew I had to get hot air to the defroster outlets. I also wanted the possibility of getting heat down at my feet.

I purchased 2 vents, 2 Y-shaped pieces and an heater hose at a local boat supply store. The hose and all inlets/outlets are 60mm. This is what it looks like now:




The pictures below show how I made and mounted the parts. Lifting/pulling down the handles next to the hand brake turns the heat on/off. I keep the footwell vents closed for max defrost.
Here's my old thread with more info on the heating system.
Heater ”backdate” – the $ 15 alternative

[Ove]

.

[Ove]

I have a pair of footwell blowers and will install them before the next winter. I made a new aluminum panel with push/pull switches to turn the blowers on/off.




What remains to be done is to make and install a small airbox behind the stock air intake. I also want to make a large aluminum panel to cover the entire glove box/radio/vent control area.

[k9handler]

very cool (um warm) project, seems like it would work pretty well as long as rpms are up.

[bigchillcar]

nice ingenuity, ove! looks like great work, too.

[k9handler]

so does the old defroster motor work? I need one as mine is broke.

[Kroggers]

Looking good Ove

[bigchillcar]

so does the old defroster motor work? I need one as mine is broke.

you don't need no dang defroster, smit....you KNOW what you need a little more of!

[Ove]

Originally posted by k9handler
so does the old defroster motor work? I need one as mine is broke.

Yes it did work when I removed it. But it was a bit noisy. Would recommend getting one in better condition than mine.

[cshaffer]

Ove,
Great idea, how much did the removed parts weigh?

[Ove]

Originally Posted by cshaffer

Ove,
Great idea, how much did the removed parts weigh?

Sorry, I don't know yet. I didn't have a scale around when I removed the stock vent system. I still have all the parts though and will post their weight later.

After driving the car in the winter I can add that the heater is not very efficient. Not a big surprise.. But once the engine reaches normal operating temperature it works ok. I'm going to use a small additional blower (footwell blower).