Dash, AC Side vents update??

FenderGuy · 09-12-2007, 09:19 PM

Doing a search on this and nothing really informative came up. I would like to update my dash to the 86-89 style 911 with the larger side vents.

Any ideas how hard this is? Recent parts in the classified area should help me collect the parts i need.

blk911 · 09-13-2007, 04:21 PM

Frank,

I have been wanting to try this too. Thinking about removing knee pad on my 79 SC and engineering some aftermarket vents into the knee pad on either side of driver position. Just want to make sure I can keep appearance looking more or less OEM.

will post pics if succesful

FenderGuy · 09-13-2007, 04:55 PM

Might be simpler to get the oem parts and just it that way, thats my thought on it

herr_oberst · 09-13-2007, 05:17 PM

I've got a slightly broken right hand vent if you want to practice. PM me if you want it. Carcass is OK, the slats don't move in unison. From an 88

911 in SC · 05:46 PM

Can you measure it for us? As you know, the outside dimensions of the rear of the vent is what is needed (what size the hole needs to be), in addition to the overall length and width of the front of the vent (to make sure the vent will fit in the given space). The diameter of the inlet would be nice too. I know I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm sure there would be a way to enlarge the ductwork that goes to the outer 'vents' (I use that term loosely - not much of a vent at all) in the early cars.

Thanks,
Mike

scottb · 09-13-2007, 05:41 PM

If you're trying to improve your air conditioning airflow, a more practical solution is the Griffiths Tri-Kuehl Vent. It brings air out from the bowtie underneath the dash and distributes it to the front and sides. Much less expensive and easier to install than trying to retrofit the larger vents into an older car.

FenderGuy · 09-13-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottb

If you're trying to improve your air conditioning airflow, a more practical solution is the Griffiths Tri-Kuehl Vent. It brings air out from the bowtie underneath the dash and distributes it to the front and sides. Much less expensive and easier to install than trying to retrofit the larger vents into an older car.

Well that takes the fun out it

just checking the car and there will be some cutting to do on the metal small vents area...I am going to do it anyways because I like the look of the larger vent style...I'll photograph my progress and give detail to what I had to do...

herr_oberst you have a pm

911 in SC · 09-13-2007, 05:48 PM

I have the center vent (not Griffiths, but was installed by PO). I think it would be nice to have a factory look with the larger side vents of the later cars.

FenderGuy · 09-13-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911 in SC

Can you measure it for us? As you know, the outside dimensions of the rear of the vent is what is needed (what size the hole needs to be), in addition to the overall length and width of the front of the vent (to make sure the vent will fit in the given space). The diameter of the inlet would be nice too. I know I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm sure there would be a way to enlarge the ductwork that goes to the outer 'vents' (I use that term loosely - not much of a vent at all) in the early cars.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike

The a newer version dash maybe needed, but there are small side and trim pieces that are needed also, I thought the vents could just be retro fitted but nope the small vents we have need to be cut out...i just took of my knee pads

911 in SC · 09-13-2007, 06:05 PM

Thanks FenderGuy. I was just looking at the parts diagrams for both the early and later carreras. I see exactly what you mean. ARGH!! I'll certainly have to investigate a little farther...

Jack Olsen · 09-13-2007, 07:33 PM

Did you see the recent thread on the clock hole vent replacement? If airflow to the driver's face is the issue, then the side vents -- and even the center dash vent -- both miss the mark. I had both vents added to my car, which includes a fair amount of sheet metal cutting, so learn from my experience. I'm now planning on removing my clock, at least for part of the year, to use the opening for a vent and its own dedicated blower with a speed control dial on the dash.

Go toward the bottom of the first page of the thread to see where the Ford truck starts getting invented. The $15 piece fits snugly in the clock opening and could be fed by the fresh air intake in the cowl or on a completely independent circuit from everything else, with the clock going back for the winter months.

Pelicanite 'Wavey' was the guy who looked at the dash of his Ford truck and got hit by a lightning bolt of inspiration:

And here it is -- in the open position -- in Norwegian Pelicanite Ove's car:

FenderGuy · 09-13-2007, 08:22 PM

Jack

Yup did see that thread, for now air to the driver is not an issue its air to the passengers. I plan on doing a full upgrade to my AC with the rennaire system, I just prefer the upgraded Carrera vent style. After looking at my car and knowing its a lot of cutting, I still want to do it....

Jack Olsen · 09-13-2007, 11:23 PM

Fair enough. I have the SC-style side vent, and only on the driver's side.

I would guess that the Carrera vents will work better.

herr_oberst · 09-14-2007, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911 in SC

Can you measure it for us? As you know, the outside dimensions of the rear of the vent is what is needed (what size the hole needs to be), in addition to the overall length and width of the front of the vent (to make sure the vent will fit in the given space). The diameter of the inlet would be nice too. I know I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm sure there would be a way to enlarge the ductwork that goes to the outer 'vents' (I use that term loosely - not much of a vent at all) in the early cars.

Thanks,
Mike

I can do that sometime this weekend. I'll post it as soon as I can.

lindbhr · 09-14-2007, 04:30 AM

Hi Frank,

I'm going to do the same dash update for my SC. I'm converting the car to resemble a 74 RS / IROC, so the A/C will come a little later. I purchased a dash from an '88 with the larger center vents, but's it's the side vents that will be the challenge.

Do you think a higher CFM blower is needed? Is one even available?

Hugh

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

For reference and inspiration:

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindbhr

Hi Frank,

I'm going to do the same dash update for my SC. I'm converting the car to resemble a 74 RS / IROC, so the A/C will come a little later. I purchased a dash from an '88 with the larger center vents, but's it's the side vents that will be the challenge.

Do you think a higher CFM blower is needed? Is one even available?

Hugh

There is one available here:

http://www.retroair.com/

FenderGuy · 09-14-2007, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khamul02

For reference and inspiration:

Tom thanks this is a great reference photo compared to mine below

You can see above what will have to be cut in order to the fit the larger side vents

It pays to work on your car never know what the PO did, seems they didn't connect the ducts back instead they put the useless alarm wires through the duct....No wonder my passengers wasn't getting any air

still this vent style is so small any improvemnet in air flow would not matter..

FenderGuy · 09-14-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindbhr

Hi Frank,

I'm going to do the same dash update for my SC. I'm converting the car to resemble a 74 RS / IROC, so the A/C will come a little later. I purchased a dash from an '88 with the larger center vents, but's it's the side vents that will be the challenge.

Do you think a higher CFM blower is needed? Is one even available?

Hugh

Hugh not an AC expert here I will let others chime on that, thanks again Tom for the blower example...

I just want my vents to be bigger I think with an upgraded AC system and the larger vent style, my SC would be much better in the air flow department

herr_oberst · 09-15-2007, 05:14 AM

Fenderguy, here are the dimensions: