So the Amuse lightweight fenders finally arrived (after three months of waiting), but now I'm faced with a dilemma. The fenders are super light and I'll probably shave a good 30 lbs off the front end, but I'm not digging the M3 style side vents. So should I cover it up, or should I just live with the vents? The vents don't really serve any function unless I cut into the engine bay so that it actually vents the hot air out of the engine bay. I don't mind doing this, but I still have to deal with the fact that it looks like it was ripped off of the M3.

So what should I do? Should I install the vents, or should I plug up the hole?

 

Here's a pic with the grills partially installed.

 

Personally I would cover the vents. Nothing makes me cringe more than seeing M3 vents on an Accord (except maybe Altezza tails on a Mustang). Granted the Z is no Accord. But my opinion is just that- you should do what you feel comfortable with (as long as that decision involves covering the vents ). Seriously it's your car do what you like.

 

your gonna get mixed opinions about this...and i think that its prob better to cover it up...just imagine the feeling when you pull up to a light next to an M3 ..just a wierd feeling...but what will you plug it with....do you plan on filling it permanently or having something made to fit it?

 

Yeah, I get what you mean, havabooz. It screams "I wish my car was an M3 but all I could afford was a 350Z." If I get it plugged up, It'll be a permanent fix (meaning no one will be able to tell that there was a hole there before). The only way anyone could tell that something's different is because the new fender won't have a Z logo.

 

was your initial intention to save the wieght...i mean...how big of a diff will this be..im sure its not worth the wait and the money....so im sure there was part of you that kinda liked the gills...so if you like it then keep it

 

Actually, it was all about the weight savings. Yes, it's a lot of money to spend to save a little weight, but I'm very serious about dropping the weight of this car, especially from the front end. My goal is to strip ~70 lbs off the front, and another 50 off the rear. Optima lightweight battery is on the way, and I'm also looking into the dry carbon rear hatch as well.

 

i suggest to get rid of the vents/gills or whatever they are called. it just doesn't look right.

i'm not too sure but if you fill it up, is it gonna be filled with bondo?? cuz then would there be a weight gain??

 

My vote would be to cover the vent hole, and add the JDM sidemarker light/blinker.

 

Do something crazy in there like design a new style grille or some sidemaker of some sorts.

 

its different......keep it the way it is...and dont come near a M3

 

what if you put a huge reflector or turn signal there....

 

The funny thing is that the vent piece is actually pretty heavy as the backing is made out of metal. So even if I just go with the vent, it adds a bit of weight.

neur0sis, there's already a side marker hold below the vent hole, so unless I want two side markers, it's not going to work. (Just imagine how that'd to look with two side markers!)

Ultimateone, that's an interesting idea...I'll have to think about that. Maybe I could modify the current grill that's on there so it doesn't look so blatantly like an M3 grill? Any thoughts/ideas?

 

Why not just one elongated z3 style vent? I think it would look QUITE good, and wouldn't look like the cheap z3 fenders if it was just one vent that was long...

 

or you could cover it with a bumper sticker

 

30 lb just for the fenders?

 

seriously tho.... just patch it with fiber glass or something.... i think that would yield the best looking result.

 

i like the vent, so when i get my amuse kit, i am going to install it as it is

 

I'd probably have someone customer cut a CF piece to fill that hole and put the JDM "Fairlady Z on both sides......

 

or z33 btw, i like the carbon fiber idea