Vented Inspection Lids

This was the first modification I did to help out with the car's aerodynamics/appearance because it was extremely cheap and easy. I acquired a spare set of used inspection lids online, bought some aluminum mesh screen from the local hardware store, and set to work with my angle grinder and dremel tool (the dremel could do the whole thing, but I didn't have that much patience.

Most importantly, before you cut anything, measure and draw lines with a marker of where you are going to cut. The primary goal of this, for me, was to open up the center as a vent, while maintaining the stock attachment points. A significant amount of additional area could have been removed if I had wanted to adjust how the part attached.

If you would like to replicate my design, the leading edge has a 1.75" edge, the rear has a 1.5" edge, and the sides have 1" edges. I cut out the largest chunks with a cutting wheel on my angle grinder and used a grinding wheel to get it mostly smooth. I used the dremel to smooth the corners and get the parts the the angle grinder couldn't safely reach. I also removed a large chunk of the metal along the edge, and the secondary angle there was providing minimal support, it would make the part lighter (I was surprised how much weight this mod cut out of the lid), and it made it look a little different.

At this point you can attach the screen and the paint the whole thing one color, or paint the lid and attach the screen afterward, as I did. Install and enjoy your custom, nearly free, inspection lids.