You’re excited to install a hood louver kit from Verus to lower temps under the hood, improve overall cooling efficiency, and gain a slight boost in downforce. Even so, the thought of cutting into the hood of your sports car leaves you feeling a bit uneasy. It’s understandable. Who really wants to cut into their hood? That said, it’s not that bad, especially with a little help from Verus.
Verus Guides Hood Louver Installations with Templates and Instructions
All hood louvers from Verus Engineering come with templates and installation manuals.
When we ship hood louvers, we don’t just send you the kit with a sticker that says “Good luck on the install!” We’ll supply a template showing exactly where the hood louvers should go. Placement isn’t random. We use scan data and CFD to determine the optimal placement to remove the least amount of underhood structure while positioning in a low-pressure zone for optimal evacuation.
You’ll benefit from our template and step-by-step instructions that walk you through the process. In most cases, you’ll find an installation video like this one for our MK5 Supra:
Tools Needed to Install Hood Louvers
Having the right tools, like an electric cut-off wheel, will help your hood louver installation go smoothly.
Our installation manual also comes with a list of tools you’ll need. Because we manufacture hood louvers for specific models, installation and tools will vary. How the louver is attached (hardware or 3M VHB double-sided tape) will also affect the process. Below are many of the common tools we’ve used in installations.
Hood Louver Installation Tips
We’ve installed hood louvers on Miatas, Mustangs, BMWs, and many other models. We’ve learned some things along the way. Here are a couple of tips:
- Drill
- Drill bits (1/8", 3/16”, 1/4", step bit)
Painter’s tape (or aluminum foil tape if the car is ceramic coated) - Marker
- Scissors
- Center punch
- Hammer
- Die grinder with a bit for deburring
- Sanding discs
- Air nozzle
- Vacuum
- Cut-off wheel
- Ratchet
- Sockets (12 mm, 11/32)
- Flat-head screwdriver or clip removal tool
- Safety glasses
- A 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water to clean surfaces before applying double-sided tape
- Microfiber towel
Reference Our Installation Manuals
The first tip is to always use our installation manuals. You’ll find them all conveniently located in one place. Simply select your make and find the hood louver installation guide from the list provided.
Double-Check Louver Placement
Verus hood louver kits come with templates to help ensure proper placement.
Once you’ve cut into the hood, you’ll have to live with it, so you want to make sure you have the right placement. We’ll supply the template, but it’s up to you to make sure it’s positioned correctly. Don’t just eyeball it. Use a tape measure to check distances from the top, bottom, and sides of the hood.
Creating Starter Holes Before Cutting
Here are a few easy steps we’ve found helpful to prepare for cutting:
- Use a hammer and a punch to lightly tap slightly inside the corners to drill starter holes.
- Use a starter drill bit - 1/8" will usually do the trick.
- Switch to a larger drill bit or a step drill bit to open the hole.
We’ve frequently used electric cut-off wheels, but feel free to use tools you’re most comfortable with.
Attaching the Template to the Hood
Attaching the template in the proper position is essential in hood louver installations.
We’ve noticed that painter’s tape doesn’t hold if a hood is ceramic-coated. In that case, we advise using aluminum foil tape. Make sure the template is securely in place before cutting.
Tips for Using 3M VHB Double-Sided Tape
Please follow these tips when attaching louvers with double-sided tape:
- The minimum temp for installation is 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Thoroughly clean areas where the tape will be attached with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water. Use a microfiber towel.
- Firmly press the product into the car body and ensure proper adhesion occurs.
- At room temperature, approximately 50% of ultimate bond strength occurs after 20 minutes; 90% after 24 hours; and 100% after 72 hours.
3M VHB double-sided tape provides a secure bond between the hood louver and your car.
The tape is strong - you’ll be impressed with the results - but we advise giving it at least 24 hours to adhere before driving.
Why Hood Louvers Are A Valuable Modification
Hood louvers are a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective modification. Here are some of the key benefits you’ll enjoy:
- Lower engine-bay temperatures. Note: We test to verify the effectiveness of our louvers. Check the cooling component testing section of our Informative Packets page to see the results of our Supra test.
- Improved cooling stack efficiency.
- Increased underhood component longevity.
- Bump in front-end downforce by alleviating air pressure in the engine bay.
While improving performance is the driving force behind everything we do at Verus, we think you’ll also enjoy the aesthetic benefits.
Purchase the Best Aftermarket Hood Louvers from Verus
Improve your cooling efficiency with Verus Engineering hood louvers like these on a BMW M4.
Ready to lower temps and improve lap times? Check out the hood louvers from Verus Engineering. Shop online today, and don’t forget to check out our hood louver rain guards. If you have a question about the installation, drop us a line through our contact form.
Take The Stress Out of Hood Louver Installation With Tips From Verus