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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Hmm. Do I cut a hole in the roof? « 1 2 »
  • Keith

    Aug. 28, 2009 7:22 p.m. Keith PowerDork

    Being a big overgrown kid, I thought it would be cool to put a roof vent in the Targa car. Sure, it was built to race in Newfoundland (forecast high for tomorrow 64F) but it's living in Colorado (current high 92F). So cool air is good, right?

    First, the grassroots part. You can get these vents from "rally suppliers" for about $90. Or you can get the same parts from the van hardware store for $22. So that's good. They'll be weatherproof, pretty nice stuff.

    But to really finish things off, you want a scoop. Something to protect your vents from the elements and force feed them. So I ordered one from Primitive Motorsports. There aren't a lot of options here really.

    It's here, and it's big. Sized for a real car, not a toy one like a Miata. I sat it on the roof for a bit. Whaddya think? Should I?

    (yes, I sat it off center on the roof)

  • Grtechguy

    Aug. 28, 2009 7:25 p.m. Grtechguy UltraDork

    a little big, but I like it.

    can you cut about 1/2 the height out?

  • racer_ace

    Aug. 28, 2009 7:26 p.m. racer_ace New Reader

    IMHO...Do it.

  • Tommy Suddard

    Aug. 28, 2009 7:29 p.m. Tommy Suddard SonDork

    Do eeeet!

  • Woody

    Aug. 28, 2009 7:51 p.m. Woody SuperDork

    I like the scoop, but I wouldn't like the idea of extra hardware sticking down near my melon.

  • mel_horn

    Aug. 28, 2009 7:52 p.m. mel_horn Dork

    Grtechguy wrote:

    a little big, but I like it.

    That's what she said!

    Michael Scott

    Branch Manager

    Dunder Mifflin Scranton PA

  • Keith

    Aug. 28, 2009 7:56 p.m. Keith PowerDork

    Can't really make it any lower, it's hollow with a lip around the edge. Well, I suppose I could, but I don't like fibreglass work.

    I don't think there would be hardware near the melon. This thing would be in the center of the roof near the windshield. It would be like hitting your head on the normal rear view mirror in a Miata.

    I have a suspicion I know what Janel's reaction will be. We'll find out tonight.

  • Rob_Mopar

    Aug. 28, 2009 8:19 p.m. Rob_Mopar New Reader

    How high does the van roof vent stick up when it's fully opened?

    If it's not too high I'd probably cut down the fiberglass scoop in the picture some so it doesn't look like a Pro Stock snorkel scoop on your roof.

    If you need the height to clear the vent I'd probably just go with the vent. It's hard core enough as-is.

    -Rob

  • minimac

    Aug. 28, 2009 8:34 p.m. minimac Dork

    Practical? check. Functional? check. Attractive? Can you get your money back?

  • aussiesmg

    Aug. 28, 2009 8:36 p.m. aussiesmg Dork

    It looks looks like Jaws new car

    obscure reference I know

  • DustoffDave

    Aug. 28, 2009 8:41 p.m. DustoffDave Reader

    Do it!

    P.S. Love the old Land Rover in the background.

  • racerboy000

    Aug. 28, 2009 8:42 p.m. racerboy000 New Reader

    I used the alloy ones in my rally car and loved them so did my co driver,

  • RexSeven

    Aug. 28, 2009 8:46 p.m. RexSeven HalfDork

    I'd like to see the scoop whittled down a little, as it is kinda big. Aside from that, go for it!

  • Feedyurhed

    Aug. 28, 2009 9:36 p.m. Feedyurhed Reader

    I am conflicted. I like roof scoops but it is a little big. Looks like the hood scoop from my STi. I wouldn't put it on my street car but I think it would work in your application so I am more for it than against it My vote is yes.

  • Keith

    Aug. 28, 2009 9:45 p.m. Keith PowerDork

    I had the same thought about "how high does it HAVE to be"? Turns out that's the minimum height for the scoop if it's going to clear the vent at full open. Bummer. It's probably perfectly sized on a Subaru, just too big on a little car.

  • Aug. 29, 2009 1:05 a.m. mistanfo Dork

    Do it. Otherwise, I'll be forced to do the same to the snugtop I'm picking up next month. If you do it, I can't, for fear of being labeled a copy cat.

  • Jay

    Aug. 29, 2009 3:11 a.m. Jay Dork

    Mount it backwards so it lets hot air escape. Better for aerodynamics, and probably better for cooling.

    ...And why haven't you added Basil the Land Rover to the Readers' Rides so I can upvote it?

  • jrw1621

    Aug. 29, 2009 7:20 a.m. jrw1621 HalfDork

    ^^^^ The comment above has me thinking about what I did not like about my MR2 with t-tops. Lots of air would get in the car but then the wind would hit the back window and have no way of getting out. The trapped wind would creating a lot of buffeting.

    Do you have any of this wind trapping issues in the current state of the Miata? If you do, mounting the vent backwards, just over the rear window may elevate the issues and actually create a nice windstream effect within the cabin.

    If the vent is mounted forward, lots of air will enter but how will that air get out?

  • Luke

    Aug. 29, 2009 7:29 a.m. Luke Dork

    I think you should hold out for a smaller one. It's a way-cool idea, but that scoop is just a little bit big. And your Miata is too good to hack up for a non-perfect scoop.

  • ddavidv

    Aug. 29, 2009 7:45 a.m. ddavidv UltraDork

    We did this on a VW Golf we used for TSD rallies and stuff, just for giggles. There are problems.

    The inboard part of those vents really does steal a lot of melon room. Be very, very sure they won't be in your way, especially in a Miata. I think they will, based on our Golf experience.

    They WILL leak, guaranteed. If not the vent seal itself, your caulk job around the base will fail. No matter how good you are.

  • 914Driver

    Aug. 29, 2009 8:01 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    DustoffDave wrote:

    Do it!

    P.S. Love the old Land Rover in the background.

    What Miata?

  • walterj

    Aug. 29, 2009 8:09 a.m. walterj Dork

    I would do it, but to justify it I'd have to place an engine behind the seats and feed air into it's supercharger from that scoop.

  • Tim Baxter

    Aug. 29, 2009 8:22 a.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

    The Rover: http://classicmotorsports.net/reader-rides/18/

  • fastEddie

    Aug. 29, 2009 8:39 a.m. fastEddie Dork

    The sides need to be flaired out more, then the height wouldn't look so bad.

    Kinda like this I grabbed from Google....

  • Keith

    Aug. 29, 2009 9:50 a.m. Keith PowerDork

    The vent can be opened either way, so you can either use it to ram air into the cabin or to suck it out. Using it to ram air means you pressurize the cabin, which theoretically keeps the dust out. Not an issue in a tarmac car, but there you go. Opening it backwards would help airflow through the cabin. Currently, the only way to get air into the cabin is the side windows or the defroster. It has no HVAC setup otherwise.

    Actually, Basil (the old Land Rover, more on him here) has a similar arrangement when I think about it. He's got four factory roof vents under that white safari top. They're really nice and it makes a huge difference to the interior temperature in the sun. Maybe I'll add him to the GRM Readers Rides for those who like old, slow, unstoppable beasts.

    Luke wrote: I think you should hold out for a smaller one. It's a way-cool idea, but that scoop is just a little bit big. And your Miata is too good to hack up for a non-perfect scoop.

    You know this Miata is made out of junkyard parts, right? Here's what the hardtop used to look like, and this is a flattering picture.

    But yeah, I'm thinking too big. I'm not sure I'll do the roof vent even without the scoop.

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