Vent window air inlet DIY
#22
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So I test fit a window even though my snapvents haven't shown up yet. They were supposedly delivered friday, I'm hoping my neighbors got them by mistake or something and I'll be able to get them tomorrow morning.
My profile seems about spot on, the vent placement seems pretty tight too. Close enough to the mirror to maybe get a extra buffer without loosing too much visibility.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142202-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-iygt7bj.jpg?dateline=1434951059)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142203-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-qvni7gk.jpg?dateline=1434951059)
I'm able to pull and install vent windows by pulling the front window track (two top screws, upper and lower 10mm) rolling the weatherstripping off the door, and pulling the outer lower window trim because it fights you when you try and slide the fat rubber nubs on the way in. If the window is down it won't fight you too much.
My profile seems about spot on, the vent placement seems pretty tight too. Close enough to the mirror to maybe get a extra buffer without loosing too much visibility.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142202-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-iygt7bj.jpg?dateline=1434951059)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142203-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-qvni7gk.jpg?dateline=1434951059)
I'm able to pull and install vent windows by pulling the front window track (two top screws, upper and lower 10mm) rolling the weatherstripping off the door, and pulling the outer lower window trim because it fights you when you try and slide the fat rubber nubs on the way in. If the window is down it won't fight you too much.
#23
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So these little guys toss a decent amount of air with no snapvent. I finally managed to find mine this afternoon, they were delivered a good 4 blocks east lol. I'm really liking this placement instead of a higher or forward position. It's really not blocking much, the mirror is kinda in the way as is.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142331-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-naobn06.jpg?dateline=1435018082)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142332-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-ehaaozw.jpg?dateline=1435018082)
I'm not sure how, but I nailed the fitmet size while blowing clean past it. I was using a crummy pair of calipers, but my laser overcut the hole a good 30 thousandths or so. These are a bit hard to turn, they aren't rattling loose any time soon. Any tighter and they would likely crack the acrylic window over time, I'll be cutting my next pair slightly larger.
I'm gonna cut my "final" pair of windows this afternoon, just because I have more acrylic material. Humming is working on getting a quote for lexan windows, which would obviously be much preferred!
If anyone wants a cheap temporary acrylic window hit me up, I've got enough for at least 4 or 5 more sets.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142331-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-naobn06.jpg?dateline=1435018082)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142332-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-ehaaozw.jpg?dateline=1435018082)
I'm not sure how, but I nailed the fitmet size while blowing clean past it. I was using a crummy pair of calipers, but my laser overcut the hole a good 30 thousandths or so. These are a bit hard to turn, they aren't rattling loose any time soon. Any tighter and they would likely crack the acrylic window over time, I'll be cutting my next pair slightly larger.
I'm gonna cut my "final" pair of windows this afternoon, just because I have more acrylic material. Humming is working on getting a quote for lexan windows, which would obviously be much preferred!
If anyone wants a cheap temporary acrylic window hit me up, I've got enough for at least 4 or 5 more sets.
#24
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It's looking like the waterjet cut lexan windows would end up costing about the same as the project-g ones, for now I'm only going to mess with acrylic. Later I'll post my file on thingiverse or something, if you were determined you could print my pattern in much the same way as I made the file, then just trace and cut it yourself from home depot lexan. If you wanted naca ducts you could easily modify the template to your liking, too.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142410-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-kqqjknx.jpg?dateline=1435121154)
I've got a couple more pairs of acrylic windows for $25 shipped/pair if anyone else would like some. As you can see there's some scrap material left, anyone have any cool ideas? Keychains/timing tools, whatever...
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/race-prep-75/142410-vent-window-air-inlet-diy-kqqjknx.jpg?dateline=1435121154)
I've got a couple more pairs of acrylic windows for $25 shipped/pair if anyone else would like some. As you can see there's some scrap material left, anyone have any cool ideas? Keychains/timing tools, whatever...
#34
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Yeah, there is that still. The windows will bounce a bit as you snap the vent in and out, I don't think it's enough to ever pull the window from the rubber gasket though.
I test broke a few pieces and I wouldn't want any broken acrylic shards in my face, they can be rather sharp just not a lot of mass.
I test broke a few pieces and I wouldn't want any broken acrylic shards in my face, they can be rather sharp just not a lot of mass.
#35
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I've got Project G Vented Windows and LOVE them. They're a life saver with no AC. Given the time and effort to pull this off I feel like $80 is going to be tough to beat by building them yourself.
Or $55.
MiataRoadster vented wing windows - MiataRoadster - High-performance customer service...and parts for Roadsters
This is why i was confused about someone trying to reproduce things. Bill's prices are silly on some things. This is not one of them.
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#40
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For sure, i'm not saying what you guys are doing ISN'T cheaper and if you like tinkering, it's fun.
My shipping for AWR motor mounts, vent windows, and delrin diff mounts was $35. $20 of that was drop ship from AWR (had i known this, i would have ordered them somewhere else). So... $15 for windows and diff mounts.