Are vents worth $1000?

[dcdoug]

Does anyone have the vents for a CSX car and are they worth it?

[patrickt]

1) I glanced at this thread and saw RSIMOES had just posted to it and about soiled myself.... then I spotted the dates. Ahh, the memories.

2) Fresh air to the foot boxes makes a big difference. There's not much to them, though -- I don't know why they would cost much (even with an in-line fan).

[RodKnock]

I'm no expert, but there are those "kits" on the market that have plastic connections at the footbox with less expensive hose and then there are the original steel (I think) connections with better hose for a more "authentic" look.

Also, in the holes located in the mouth of the Cobra, you'll want to put "scoopers" or air directors for better air flow and make sure you add some wire mesh over those holes so that bees and bugs don't find their way into the interior.

Edit: Ahh, the good ole days when "rsimoes" was poking his head in around here.

[rokndad]

Here's the SAI assembly I bought a while back.



The hat assembly with the butterfly comes from England, and the rest of the pieces look pretty much as close as possible to the originals. The ducting is very stout and has the flat steel coil instead of the wire coil you typically get in flexible ducting. The cable is precise and smooth. Nick (Mickmate) came by and inspected the set and concurred with the quality.

This is where the intake is supposed to come in from the front.



I took this on an original CSX 3000 car last year at the LASAAC Shelby show.

I have seen some fresh air kits that allow you to take the fresh air from the front valance vent, but that would eliminate the correct brake vent. I have also seen some inserts with two duct openings that would allow you to take one to the footbox and the other to some sort of flexible ducting to the brake. The SAI assembly provides a spun aluminum hat piece that screws to the radiator shroud (inner fender well). In some cases I have seen them bolted to the panel.

I have seen a recent Kirkham fresh air butterfly assembly on the footbox and it looks to be made of some kind of clear lucite or other plastic material. Nonetheless, it is a typically nice piece as well as the rest of the system which appears to be similar to the SAI set up.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rokndad

Here's the SAI assembly I bought a while back.



The hat assembly with the butterfly comes from England, and the rest of the pieces look pretty much as close as possible to the originals. The ducting is very stout and has the flat steel coil instead of the wire coil you typically get in flexible ducting. The cable is precise and smooth. Nick (Mickmate) came by and inspected the set and concurred with the quality.

This is where the intake is supposed to come in from the front.



I took this on an original CSX 3000 car last year at the LASAAC Shelby show.

I have seen some fresh air kits that allow you to take the fresh air from the front valance vent, but that would eliminate the correct brake vent. I have also seen some inserts with two duct openings that would allow you to take one to the footbox and the other to some sort of flexible ducting to the brake. The SAI assembly provides a spun aluminum hat piece that screws to the radiator shroud (inner fender well). In some cases I have seen them bolted to the panel.

I have seen a recent Kirkham fresh air butterfly assembly on the footbox and it looks to be made of some kind of clear lucite or other plastic material. Nonetheless, it is a typically nice piece as well as the rest of the system which appears to be similar to the SAI set up.

Yea, what he said.

Darn that Tom, always showing off. I'll go back to under my rock now.

[elmariachi]

You can chase all this stuff down yourself and save some $$, but its still pricey to do it original CSX style. I bought the two diverters and the cables/knobs from a wrecked Superformance and saved a bundle. I think the diverters are available from Cobra Restorers as are the cables/knobs. The aluminum duct rings are ~$5 each from Wicks Aircraft Supply. The screen mesh comes from McMaster Carr. I made my own hangers and you can buy the hi-temp ducting in various lengths and sizes on fleaBay. I didn't like the idea of bilge blowers on my Cobra so I didn't add those. So all in all I think I have $220 tied up in mine and they do help get cooler air into the footboxes. Not worth $1000 to me though.

[rokndad]

elmariachi,

Nice set up and great tips on sources. I was thinking about the heat, and one thing one should do as a first order is SEAL ALL THE OPENINGS from the firewall. cowl sides and along the doors. Once I did that, 80% or so of the heat went away and the car is much more comfortable to drive on a hot day. Chase them all down. It also cuts down on noise.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by rokndad

elmariachi,

Nice set up and great tips on sources. I was thinking about the heat, and one thing one should do as a first order is SEAL ALL THE OPENINGS from the firewall. cowl sides and along the doors. Once I did that, 80% or so of the heat went away and the car is much more comfortable to drive on a hot day. Chase them all down. It also cuts down on noise.

Thanks and good point. I used that Dynamat stuff (pricey as heck) both behind my engine bay aluminum AND inside under the carpet. So the vents really supply circulation as much as anything.

[rokndad]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Yea, what he said.

Darn that Tom, always showing off. I'll go back to under my rock now.

Rodney,

What we need to do is combine your general car/engine/detail expertise with my wrenching capabilities.....and, well you know.

Tom

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rokndad

Rodney,

What we need to do is combine your general car/engine/detail expertise with my wrenching capabilities.....and, well you know.

Tom

Yes, you would end up with someone who has wrenching abilities and owns CSX4758.

Don't forget to add some air duct/directional type things in the mouth of your Cobra to better direct the air into the tubes.

[Frank Messina]

The vents do make a positive difference IMO. Yeah, when it's 100° outside that's what you're getting, but at least there's some airflow moving throw the footbox which keeps it from turning into a complete oven. I hardly ever use (like never) the blowers. In the phot you can see the blast gate on the passenger foot box and the blower on the outside of the frame. The incoming air gets picked up from the brake duct openings. When you're moving you get a 40 or 50MPH breeze depending on how fast you're going. When stopped, you're either picking up pavement heat or the heat from the guy in front which is why I rarely use the fans. But this is Southern California, in an area with higher humidity you may find the fans are a blessing. I used Cobra Earl's kit including his double brake duct vents. It comes with everything. Wiriing, switches, rivets, instructions, etc. Earl currently has two types of ducting available now, although mine came with a real strong black flex tubing which I like because it doesnt call attention to it.

HTH
Frank

[N2VENOM]

I have both drivers side and passenger vents. With the top down in So Cal weather I don’t see the benefit. However, when I put my Hardtop on my KPM500 Lemans it really helps.


http://www.cobraregistry.com/Picture..._1020_5078.JPG

[spanner16]

The valves on the bulk head are from an Mg midget heater box.
I paid £10 to replace the one I had missing on my cobra and got a heater with it
The front intake ring is Daimler/sunbeam standard part cost me £8 and matches the other original side

[MRGEORGE077]

Drop in a 289 HiPro, go fast ,no heat.

[WardL]

SPF has both side naturally flowing (no fans) vents included in the roller and I find them useful. The allow air from the front vents to flow to the passenger compartment. When it is warm, I open the vents and cooler air flows through the foot compartments. I don't know that I have been in my Cobra with the ambient air temp over 85F, so probably not so cool when it is above 85F! No, they are not worth $1k, but they are really nice to have. For others trying to cool their passenger compartment, the heat shields inside the engine compartment are the most effective way to dissipate the engine heat. Check out the SPF heat shields. I normally feel zero engine heat inside the passenger compartment.

[ng8264723]

Guys this was from 2009............................................

[lovehamr]

True. It's still relevant though and some of the valuable sources links could be updated by those doing this now. I know that I for one would appreciate it.

[Ashley Hinton]

Hi I make the air intake valve and the dash knobs I have a photo of it for you to see Regards Ashley Hinton

[cycleguy55]

Has anybody tried fans to pull air OUT of the foot boxes, rather than trying to pull cool air from the front of the car - and keep it cool while it passes through the wheel wells and past the heaters, er, headers? Any air going out would be replaced by air coming in through the open cockpit or through side curtains. It wouldn't be blowing air on your feet, but it may actually do a better job of cooling down the foot boxes.

[LMH]

Ashley, those are really beautiful! Do you mind if I ask how much you get for a set of intake valves?
Larry