Billet exterior c-Pillar vents in the works

[ecotec510]

Hey guys, thought I'd share what I've been working on lately. I've had a nice set of rechromed 68 pot metal vents laying around for years, studs broken but super straight and clean. Recently I had a guy 3d scan the nicest one with a faro laser scanner. Basically digitizing the part with an accuracy of .001" over the entire surface.

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Only the top side was scanned, but this is important since the shape of these vents is insanely complex, impossible to draw from scratch. The timeless 510 outer vent shape is what I really needed to get started. After a lot of work on the computer figuring out and drawing something that can actually be machined, and figuring out how to actually machine it, I've came up with the new vent you see below.

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Exterior profile is 100% 68-69, the interior section is my own design. Has provision on the back that will accept the plastic 70-73 baffled ducting. Cnc machined from 6061 aluminum. Actually lightweight unlike the 68-69 vents. Here's a picture on the car after polishing. Currently working on a a smoothie verison that will mount from behind with studs. I've discovered that you can reach the backside through the trunk without pulling the headliner. Better looks and theft proof with the screws gone. So what's everyone's thoughts.

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[RMS]

beautiful cant wait to see the 68 smooth

[510rob]

that's cool

[greenthumb]

Awesome creativity!

[toylet]

im interested..how much

[Pista_510]

That is remarkable, what an excellent part you've produced....looking at this with a lot of interest!

[Byron510]

I love this community for this very bit of ingenuity. Great work.

Curious, So what is the machine time involved on such a part?

Great work!

Byron

[qwik510]

Looks great. I want a set or 2.

Happy 510 Day!

[TheHeretic]

And I just paid up to get a 1969 set.... Seriously it looks great! Interested in what a set would cost. Keep us in the loop...

[ecotec510]

Thanks for the interest everyone. No idea on the pricing yet. I'm just excited to have a real prototype in my hands. I'm thinking the smooth(68-69)/hidden fastener version is what most people would want, so that's the priority currently. Definitely a tricky part to make and hold in the machine, all curves, and you can only go so fast when surfacing with a 3/32 ball endmill. But that's what it takes to get the details. I think I can get these down to a price that won't scare everyone off. I'll update more as I progress.

[spriso]

Like you said, an insanely complicated part to make (so many subtle curves that you don't notice on first glance!)

Beautiful work-- I would echo everyone's comments for a 68-9 style that is mounted from the rear.

Michael

[510wizard]

Years ago, Mario (TSR) was in the process of making those vents, but of coarse scanners weren't common then. I think he was going to have them die cast out of stainless (typical Mario, first class quality). I would recommend you to make them out of stainless too, less maintenance in the long run, but harder to machine. Good job on the prototype !

[toylet]

Amazing how we really struggle to recreate what was made 49 years ago.

[Mattndew76]

Amazing how we really struggle to recreate what was made 49 years ago.

It's not hard to duplicate, its hard to duplicate affordable.

I have made one set of these before but the process is what costs a pile. If the machine doesn't have fast rapid moves and good torque on the spindle.

Making a mould would be the most affordable in the long run on how to manufacture these. Be it Plastic injection, Sand cast alloy, or diecast.

Great work Eco!

[ecotec510]

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So here's the revised vent with no screw holes. I added 1/4-20 studs on the backside matching the 70-73 hole pattern. Bad news is I haven't had much luck on speeding up the machining on these. It's looking like around $550 a pair is where these would have to be priced. I know that's a lot for parts that don't make the car go faster. Fun trying to make the impossible even if I only make one set.