Hex Vents and the 1LE

[Fraxum]

Hex Vents really complement the 2013 1LE.

But a general question to 1LEs owners with Hex Vents, are you running with or without the splash trays? Have you found an easy fast way to switch them out? There is not much room between the bottom of the vent and the top of the brace.

Here to me the Hex Vents are a bit of a disappointment. Because of the cross brace, 1LEs have to use the original splash tray design inside the under hood part of the vent. The means you have to take the vent apart to install the trays. Not an easy task. It really is not a good idea to leave the vents open in a rainstorm. You can lose a coil or two. Also air born junk can fall down into the vent and get stuck on the top of the tray if you use it. And with the tray in the Hex Vents become almost non functional as an aero aid and heat exchanger.

To me the solution seems simple. The bottom part of the vent could be slightly taller and the trays could be slid in and out of a slot cut into the taller bottom bracket. Perhaps building vents like this is not so easy.

I do love the look of the vents, nice eye candy, I just wish they were more easily functional.

The 2014 SS vent setup is superior to the Hex Vents, just not as pretty. I wish Chevy had left the raised cowl lines alone on the 2014 so 2013s (and back) could make use of the new SS hood design. They could have sold lots of 2014 hoods.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

I manually screw in and unscrew the vent drip trays depending on the weather and washing the car.

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by CrystalRedTintcoat

I manually screw in and unscrew the vent drip trays depending on the weather and washing the car.

Sounds perfect. So you have the underneath style drip trays? They fit?

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

I guess I do. I attach the drip pans from underneath. It's not hard but it's not super easy either. Kind of a pain in the ass.

What really bothers me is that debris collects around the oil cap (the 1LE cap). And it's hard to clean that out. I took it off this morning and took a wet towel and tried to collect the debris as best I could. I may end up keeping a can of air spray for computers in my garage and just use that to clean the oil cap area before removing the oil cap.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Having said this, Fraxum, I like your idea of sliding trays. That should be totally feasible.

The hex vents with the drip pans installed seem to defeat the purpose of the vents to me. Maybe I should really only remove them for track days.

[Fraxum]

Hmmm, oddly I was sent the old design maybe because I specified I have a 1LE with a strut brace. But I was able to order the newer tray that attaches on the bottom of the vent without the old bottom bracket. I thought it was weird I had hardware left over and the parts did not match the directions.

So now my hood braces have been cut too much and my underhood mat is also cut too wide. Oh well, I will have to figure out a way to make it look good and maybe I will buy a new mat.

[67motorcat]

You could always make some external covers the can in installed and then removed in 2 minutes with out tools.

The original Hex vent thread is now closed,don't know why,couple years old I guess.It had the breakdown of what to do and how to do it.

It was something I started to keep to keep things dry,my Supercharger belt was getting wet,and this was the solution.

Works great to provide 100% watertight when needed and max airflow when uncovered due to no trays being present.

This thread is all I can find now,but gives you the idea.I know other here have done the same thing,so maybe they can find more info.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217147

[Fraxum]

After more research I found I have the "new" Hex Vent design where the pan is intended to be installed all the time. But when looking at the pan it cuts out most of the airflow. You have to disassemble the vents to put the pans in or take them out. It seems you can buy the old pans, that is what I bought.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by Fraxum

Hmmm, oddly I was sent the old design maybe because I specified I have a 1LE with a strut brace. But I was able to order the newer tray that attaches on the bottom of the vent without the old bottom bracket. I thought it was weird I had hardware left over and the parts did not match the directions.

So now my hood braces have been cut too much and my underhood mat is also cut too wide. Oh well, I will have to figure out a way to make it look good and maybe I will buy a new mat.

By the sounds of it we have the same thing. I ordered the version that is strut brace friendly. Four long, 10mm hex head screws go through the splash plans attaching them to the head vents. It's not hard to put on but you have to lean over the car and get it just right closing one eye to line up the screws with the bottom-vent holes.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by Fraxum

After more research I found I have the "new" Hex Vent design where the pan is intended to be installed all the time. But when looking at the pan it cuts out most of the airflow. You have to disassemble the vents to put the pans in or take them out. It seems you can buy the old pans, that is what I bought.

can you provide a link to the old pans?

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by 67motorcat

You could always make some external covers the can in installed and then removed in 2 minutes with out tools.

The original Hex vent thread is now closed,don't know why,couple years old I guess.It had the breakdown of what to do and how to do it.

It was something I started to keep to keep things dry,my Supercharger belt was getting wet,and this was the solution.

Works great to provide 100% watertight when needed and max airflow when uncovered due to no trays being present.

This thread is all I can find now,but gives you the idea.I know other here have done the same thing,so maybe they can find more info.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217147

How do your rain covers attach on the bottom? Do they have rods that shoot through the vents onto where you fasten those knurled nuts?

[67motorcat]

Originally Posted by CrystalRedTintcoat

How do your rain covers attach on the bottom? Do they have rods that shoot through the vents onto where you fasten those knurled nuts?

Yes....very simple and effective.

Some guys have used Carbon fiber or plexiglass.I chose to use diamond plate.

[digdeep0169]

Originally Posted by CrystalRedTintcoat

I guess I do. I attach the drip pans from underneath. It's not hard but it's not super easy either. Kind of a pain in the ass.

What really bothers me is that debris collects around the oil cap (the 1LE cap). And it's hard to clean that out. I took it off this morning and took a wet towel and tried to collect the debris as best I could. I may end up keeping a can of air spray for computers in my garage and just use that to clean the oil cap area before removing the oil cap.

you have to do this everytime you wash the car??? seems to be this is a PITA!

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by CrystalRedTintcoat

can you provide a link to the old pans?

Here you go:

http://www.hinesperformance.com/stor...lash-Pans.html