No more Bowtie! My center vent kit

[Don Plumley]

Once I read about the Kuhel Vent from Griffiths and thought "wouldn't that be, uh, cool." But expensive and not much fun. Here's my solution:

I turned this:


Into this:


On my website is the story behind Don's center vent kit.

Man, I've got too much time on my hands. But at least I've got directional air control instead of that pathetic bowtie!

Don

(Edit: Links updated)

[Al S]

I like it!, and yes, you do have too much time on your hands, or, you don't have kids. I just took the bow tie off, and I'm happy with that!

[Early_S_Man]

Congrats, Don!

That writeup gets an Honorary John Muir Award for entertainment, ingenuity, and usefulness!

p.s. ... for those not familiar with John Muir -- not of the redwoods, but of VW fame!

John Muir, RIP, was a vagabond over Califiornia and Baja California ... in a VW Bus, well-prepared for any breakdown known in the VW Universe! His best-selling book was as much a tale of his exploits as it was a guide for DIY maintenance on VW's, and the prose was highly enteraining reading, in spite of its' useful context ni the VW realm! His 'idiot book' from the early '70s was at least 20 years ahead of its' time!

[Steve W]

Pretty cool! A lot less expensive than the $50 I paid from Performance Aire. There is one thing their kit does also that improves upon the existing. They included an additional black plastic tube about the size of the existing one, that is to be installed alongside the existing one. You need to get a hole saw bit the size of the tube and bore into the firewall into the bulkhead, and silicone it in. It apparently increases the cold airflow into the passenger compartment by volumes. It works real well in my car. Consider giving that a shot too.

[scphelps1]

Steve, do you have a contact for performance Aire? I tried to find a website, but could not. Thanks.

[Steve W]

scphelps, here you go:

Performance Aire
1885 S Santa Cruz St.
Anaheim, CA 92805-6726
(714) 634-9184

[Jim T]

On the 78-85 cars, it helps a lot to simply remove the bowtie (as a less complicated alternative). You don't get the directional control like with your mod, but you get a pretty massive blast of cold air from that under dash vent, and it helps cool the cabin quite a bit.

Doesn't cost anything, is reversible in 1 minute, and really helps the A/C cool the cabin, esp. on the "small vent" 78/85 cars.

[bonedaddy]

Warren, I cut my teeth on John Muir's volkswagon book--I never encountered anybody else who had ever heard of him! He had a knack for explaining things in simple terms and didn't make any assumptions that you were already a master mechanic. His personality came through in his writing, and he seemed quite a character. I was amazed to see his "How to Keep your VW alive" the other day when I was browsing at Borders. Too bad he never wrote a "How to Keep your Porsche Alive" book. But then, that's what this board is for.

Scphelps- the web site for Performance Aire is http://www.scottsind.com/ Nice people.

[Don Plumley]

Warren - thanks for the Muir compliment.

Wish I saw that PerformanceAire vent, I like it better than the Kuhel installation. But then I wouldn't have the fun of digging around wrecked cars at Pick Your Part.

This project was done more for the fun than the results. Especially the toaster oven bit.

Don

[Bill Douglas]

Warren, we even have John Muirs book out here in the banana republic of New Zealand How to keep your VW alive, except we call VW's Kraut Wagons.

[North Coast Cab]

Anyone have an online source for the vent? I'm really not keen on heading to a junk yard in February.

JG

[Don Plumley]

Go up three posts and click on the PerformanceAire link. They have a nice looking vent.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

The John Muir book was how I kept my 62 alive, And I think I still have it ?

[nostatic]

The Muir book...that brings back memories. I had a nice greasy copy that helped keep my '67 and '63 bugs running. I think my dad originally bought it when he built his dune buggy.

[89911]

Now you have a much more efficient way to blow that tepid air from the AC unit when it's hot outside.

[North Coast Cab]

Found the vent. It looks like the one in the Kuehl kit. I'll let you know when I get it. Note: $10 for the vent $7 for shipping.

http://yearwood.safeshopper.com/391/cat391.htm?404

JG

[kepperly]

Thanks a bunch for the "point" on the vent, now that I think about it it kind of Steams me about Griffith's trying to get rich on us poor
Porshe owners.

Keith

[clnilsen]

Originally posted by kepperly
Thanks a bunch for the "point" on the vent, now that I think about it it kind of Steams me about Griffith's trying to get rich on us poor
Porshe owners.

Keith

Yeah.. thats what, a 700% markup..

Arg.



Chuck

[North Coast Cab]

Got my vent today, $17 with shipping. It's exactly the same as the one in the $100 Kuehl kit. All I need is some sort of hose/adapter fitting to tie into the bowtie opening and a very flat oval fitting on the back of the vent. I'm thinking a hard adapter on the bowtie end and a flexible piece of hose to connect to the vent. That way I would still have access to the ashtray if needed. Will advise.

JG

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by 89911
Now you have a much more efficient way to blow that tepid air from the AC unit when it's hot outside.

What's an AC unit? Seriously, fun thread...showing great initiative...