Subaru DIY Mod | Fender Vent Mod | 2015+ Subaru WRX STI

This mod has had to be the most difficult one yet. Why? Because putting holes into your beloved ride (such as my STI), would be hard for anyone to do. But will doing this mod help eliminate heat soak from the engine bay from our turbo'd out Subarus and prolong enging life for it. In this video, I show you how to make the non-functional fender vent...functional. Or is it?
This modification may work for the 2008-2014 WRX/STI generations.
Follow my IG (@SHERMZ808)
/ shermz808
Subie HI has finally launched! Get merchandise here:
/ subiehi
_____
INSTAGRAM:
Scenefifty
/ scenefifty
#scenefifty #subaru #sti #subiegang #wrxsti

[@nicholasw6442]

Great job with the strings to show visualize the airflow!! Awesome demonstration of the functionality

[@SceneFifty]

Thanks brother!

[@justinshute5726]

Not sure if I’ll do it, but makes sense that it can’t hurt

[@leftinashes]

Appreciate the great content. The most functional DIY mod Ive seen yet for the 15+ WRX / STI.

[@SceneFifty]

Thank you!

[@stevenpai9910]

Great job! Will be doing the same like you! No holes, thinking of a long rectangle shape

[@SceneFifty]

Steven Pai Thank you! Do it, you won’t be disappointed other than the fact your putting a blade on your car lol! I believe a long rectangle shape will work perfectly as well 👍🏽

[@khaozdreamz]

Haha like how I am not the only one to do this too. Just posted this a few weeks back. Good on ya mate

[@SceneFifty]

Lol thanks mate! I was supposed to do this mod a year ago but never got around to do it. I saw this mod done by a gentleman on his STI named “Yota-san” in Japan about a year ago. There’s not too much videos on KZbin on how to do it so I thought I’d try to contribute to our Subie community. Glad you did yours too mate 👍🏽. Here’s that video if you want to see it but it’s in Japanese: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foPThKiHpqyXqZo

[@jessel1217]

I’d like to see before and after temp readings in the engine bay. Maybe 60mph cruise for 10 miles with and without vents. Wouldn’t be the easier thing to arrange but would be curious.

[@SceneFifty]

Jesse L I still don’t have a way to record data from the temp within the engine bay yet. I actually did a temp test but only from air coming from the vents...with and without. Might not do justice, but I’ll get a video up ASAP.

[@StopTargetingOurKids]

@@SceneFifty Bluetooth meat thermometer is what I’d use

[@nick-sargent]

I did this not too long ago, twas a pain in the ass but hella worth it! They are functional. Just make sure you use rustolium

[@SceneFifty]

Horizon Rush nice 👍🏽. Cutting out the vents with a dremel was a pain for me...what was yours? Yes, rustolium is a must!

[@rumblebunz8081]

ooo this is a really good idea! maybe i’ll try this to get the high pressure from the wheel well vented out.

[@SceneFifty]

Go for it man! I’ve still to make vents in the fender wheel lining as well but I’ve been procrastinating a lot lol

[@747Durango]

Dude, by itself, this was a well thought out and executed mod. However, after you add(ed) vented fender shrouds I expect this mod was 10x more effective.

[@SceneFifty]

Mark Burrill I’m glad you agree. All you need to do is to follow the flow of the air and execute the modification. Just make sure you know where warm air will possibly get trapped and yes, adding the fender shrouds will help a bunch and make it more effective.

[@matthewdaniels7462]

As a Scooby man and a man of science I love the vid sir. Seems good to me. High to low pressure is how hot air likes to move, and the vacuuming effect of going faster... Can't go wrong. Plz do a fallow up vid.

[@k9-unit-australia275]

What a top idea. The ej definitely retains alot of heat. 99% of it comes from the turbo.

[@dummy999]

Until ur car starts whistling weird in the wind

[@dustinring8243]

This mod works great. It works really well without shrouds. There’s some ducted carbon fiber shrouds ill go with. Trapped heat is annoying

[@SceneFifty]

Yes, it’s working very well. You can feel a lot of the heat escaping the vents especially on cold mornings. I was originally gonna go for carbon fiber ones but told myself I wasn’t really for baller parts lol!

[@dustinring8243]

I found some ducted ones for 200.. figured carbon fiber wouldn’t get hot. I believe this is my last mod. I still have car payments 😂🤣 After a nice drive today in high 90’s. The air temps fluctuated really nicely. And after the drive. The fenders were nice and hot. I’m happy with it. Thanks

[@SceneFifty]

@@dustinring8243 that's not a bad price for carbon fiber ones. i believe cf won't get hot. yes, if the fenders get nice and hot, you know that the mod is working perfectly. glad you're happy with it!

[@briantoolive]

Very neat video, I loved how you tested it with the fan, great video my keep up the good work.👍

[@SceneFifty]

Thank you! I had to make sure I included the fan lol! Thanks for the sub too!

[@cre8tivegarage157]

Great content , glad we found your channel, really looking forward to more , and stay safe through all the crazy going on in the world 🙏

[@okthen8445]

It’s not going to do a very good job at venting the engine bay heat as you’d like but it will. There is a add on vent that you can attach at the top side of the fender near that interior fender shroud that will make more use of venting bay than the wheel well vents The only real function out of this is the reduction of drag and lift in the fender well. Cut a whole in the fender liner to channel that air through it 👍 I do like what you did leaving the support rods in the mesh. Everyone cuts them off and reduces structural integrity. I’m thinking of doing this as well.

[@SceneFifty]

Sum Guy you’re probably right but any amount of engine bay heat escaping is nice, that and you’ll now have a functional vent and not a bunk one. That add on vent you’re talking about...is that the one inside (fender shroud)? I actually have those installed and I still need to make a video update on it. I’m just trying to stay away from vent louvers. So now that I have those inner fender shrouds with vents and now with the mod done, there really is a vast amount of hot air escaping through the vents. I needed to keep that structural piece lol. Didn’t want it to flex lol! Do the mod, you’ll be glad you did 👍🏽

[@okthen8445]

Scene Fifty yes that’s the right word. Louvers. I was talking about louvers that you have to cut and install on the top your fender

[@SceneFifty]

Sum Guy Ahhhh I see! I am trying to stay away from the louver mod. I don’t want to go to that much of an extreme cutting up fenders. If anything, I’ll just get a carbon fiber vented hood from Varis lol!

[@alecd3979]

I have been planning to cut the plastic vent thing. But never knew that i have to drill hole. Very nice. Now i know what to prepare :) I also assume any paint would do for the hole so it wont rust right? Thanks

[@SceneFifty]

Driling holes are optional. There are OEM holes in the fender already but air flow size would be minimal if more holes are not drilled. I drilled holes to maximize air flow and would be spread out more evenly. You could use any paint for the whole. I just used OEM matching paint so it would look factory lol! Get out there and mod it! Good luck!

[@DC-ke8qp]

Did you notice alot of dirt in the engine bay after doing this? Also, instead of drilling holes in the body, why didn't you cut holes on the plastic trim to match up with those 2- oval and circle hole? Or cut holes in the interior plastic portion.

[@SceneFifty]

There is not much dirt that can travel into the engine bay after this mod since the fender liner is still there. Even if it rains, maybe just a little water but not really that much dirt. I've still need to add slits in the fender liner so that air pressure can evacuate heat from the engine bay faster. The reason I drilled holes is to allow more air evenly to travel outwards through the fender vent garnish vs just the oval/circle holes where it would be like drinking a milkshake through a small diameter straw.

[@blakestampley6041]

This looks just like My_WRX_Channel’s early build. Same wheels, color...

[@SceneFifty]

I’m pretty sure his is better.

[@blakestampley6041]

Scene Fifty ah man, it’s all about the love you put into it. Keep at it!

[@SceneFifty]

hehe thanks man!

[@adrian15419]

Good quality video bro subbed

[@SceneFifty]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@boostedlancer7957]

Good job bro and of course will work big difference i bet on the engine bay temps .. 😎

[@SceneFifty]

Thanks bro! I believe it does help in a way. I actually did a test on temps on where the air comes out from the vents and there was a noticeable change in air temps being released. I still need to make that video for you guys lol!

[@MoJoNinjaGarage]

Good work homie! I will be trying this mod on my car here pretty soon and record it.....I also just subscribed.

[@SceneFifty]

Thanks bro! Try it, you'll be surprised! It functions pretty well. Let me know how it goes. Thanks for subscribing broooooo!

[@MoJoNinjaGarage]

@@SceneFifty I will, and I will record it as well. If you have time I will post it on my channel and you can see how I do with it.

[@SceneFifty]

@@MoJoNinjaGarage sounds good bro. I'll keep checking in.

[@makikogi]

is there actual proof of decreasing engine temps by doing this? Are there trade off's because doesn't that reduce the rigidity of the chassis? Wouldn't that cause more flex?

[@SceneFifty]

Mark Kang at the moment, no proof. I really want to do temp testing but I have no tools to do so. Hopefully one day, I can get some so I can run tests. Just to have that peace of mind of hot air actually escaping from the engine bay through the vents is good for me. I know these engines cause a lot of heat soak and I really hope this mod helps relieve at least some of that. The fender actually still feels solid after putting the holes. I don’t think putting minute holes in the fender would cause more chassis flex IMO.

[@ErectileSceptile]

It wouldn't change the integrity of the chassis much at all. The Subaru Nurburgring track car has the same modification done and it is pushed much harder than any of our subies ever will be lol

[@STACKS733]

APR!! Good luck bro

[@brandonroeder2461]

I can see this being worth it for a car that's completely panned on the bottom, otherwise you're not really directing much air out of those holes. You've got alot of air from your hood scoop already pushing past your intercooler, over your bell housing and turbo ( since its an STI ) and right out the bottom of your car. Its not gonna help for sitting in traffic either since you're not moving. I can however see this being of some use for drag cars because you're producing alot of heat at a high speed, and if you're completely panned you don't have that heat escaping out the bottom like a road car, or at least not as much of it. The test you performed is only gonna show you what amount of air is escaping while you have a large floor fan directly pushing air down on that side of the engine, with no other currents. With no other air direction modifications done, like venting the front corners of your bumber to force air through the fenders back to those vents, im not sure how much of a return you're getting. Im not saying its a bad idea. I just think it could be implemented with other mods at the same time to make it much more effective.

[@justinturner4850]

Howzit🤙 do you love on Oahu? I was born there but live Maui now. Stoked to support a local channel!

[@SceneFifty]

Howzit my braddah! Yes, I do live here on Oahu. Nice that you’re on Maui 👍🏽. Thanks for supporting the small local channels my bro! Aloha 🤙🏽

[@ozzysgarage]

Wonder if this would work on the GR 2008-2014? 😎

[@SceneFifty]

I believe it’s very possible

[@11BNUFFY]

Nice job man. I think itll definitley work. Try and see if the radiator fans will push out air and feel for the air temp coming out. Hood closed and all while idiling.

[@SceneFifty]

Thanks man! I’m sure it will. That’s one thing that I didn’t do. I’ll try it 👍🏽

[@11BNUFFY]

@@SceneFifty Please give us an update!

[@SceneFifty]

I definitely will!

[@SceneFifty]

11BNUFFY hey buddy guess what!? It really works! I just installed titanium fender shrouds with actual holes in them, took a drive then parked. As soon as I got out of my car and walked to the vent, the rush of hot air was already flowing out of the vent. It was idling not moving at all and the fans weren’t on. Substantial amount was flowing out! I’ll try to make a result video for you guys but this mod definitely works 👍🏽

[@11BNUFFY]

@@SceneFifty Thats awesome, DIY for the win. I look forward to the video.

[@WRXMAN-ms2mm]

I knew I was not the only one to think of this modification. You did bet me to the punch though or pull the trigger first. Good on you 👏. The early bird catches the worm. I want to purchase the vented engine bay fender liners before doing the body mods. Four months ago I mentioned to My WRX Channel this modification too as he had installed the vented carbon fiber engine bay interior fender liners. Nice work with the Dremel mini grinder by the way 👍! Curious what diameter were the holes you drilled? Looks to me like 1 1/2 " or 38 mm diameter holes.

[@SceneFifty]

2015 WRXMAN I first learned of this mod about a year and a half ago from a KZbinr in Japan. I was supposed to do it then but never really had the chance until recent. Yes, do the mod when you get the inner fender shrouds...it will help a lot! I actually do have some titanium ones in my engine bay now and with the mod, it actually pushes out a lot of air out of the vents now. I know Jay at My WRX Channel has the fender shrouds but I don’t think he did the mod yet. Thanks for noticing my dremel skills lol 👍🏽. I still need to upload the update video on this fender vent mod so stay tuned. Oh...the size of the holesaw is 1-3/8” if you needed to know. Do the mod, you’ll be happy!

[@psygnale]

Him: “…once you put holes in a panel…that’s it…there’s no turning back.” Me: EVERYBODY GET BACK! I HAVE A TIG WELDER AND I KNOW HOW TO USE IT!!!

[@Ryan-719]

Where’d you get that alternator cover?

[@SceneFifty]

I got it from www.chasingjs.com

[@omarcheevers]

you should have done a engine bay heat comparison before and after. nice mod / vid

[@SceneFifty]

Omar Cheevers I know i should’ve but I don’t unfortunately don’t have the tools to do so 😞

[@jeffreyb.1657]

Any before/after data on temps.... Thanks.

[@SceneFifty]

Sorry man, I don’t have neither a digital thermometer or a FLIR device to measure temperatures. All I can say is a lot of hot air while driving and even in idle or parked. Hopefully after all that, temps are kept low in the engine bay. One day I’ll try to acquire the tools and make a video for y’all.

[@kogiekobayashi3421]

What is your wheel and tire set up...it looks good than stock.

[@SceneFifty]

Kogie Kobayashi hello! Wheels are Enkei NT03+M 18x9.5 +40 offset. Tires are Michelin Pilot Super Sports 265/35ZR18

[@747Durango]

@@SceneFifty Glad someone asked this. Your wheel and tire setup looks sweet. Im on stock 18 wheels and love the Michelin Pilot SS A/S 245/40/18 here in WA. But I like your size much better. My ride is solid and grippy but too rough. Btw, I think mod has to be very effective, especially in HI. Well done and thanks for sharing it. Peace bro.

[@SceneFifty]

Mark Burrill thanks man! I like the way set up came out as well. I kinda miss driving on my stocks too though. I was driving on Yokohama on my stocks but with 19 inch wheels. They’re very similar in the ride that you mentioned. My set up with the 18 inch and lighter wheels now feels much much nicer. Thanks again bro for stopping by and you’re very welcome! Keep on touch and don’t forget to subscribe. Peace and aloha!

[@michaelhernandez1398]

Thanks for the info

[@nasirabbas8277]

Only thing about heat is that it rises. But good video nonetheless.

[@SceneFifty]

yes, this is true. in this case, there is turbulence happening in the engine bay and around the vehicle so heat in this case has to escape wherever possible. thanks for watching!

[@joestasi8329]

Nice job!

[@SceneFifty]

Thank you!

[@m0r0gu3]

The STi fake vent is fake because it’s really not a useful place for REALLY doing anything for temperatures or aero. If you look at real high performance cars the vents in the front fenders are all higher up behind the wheels. If air is being routed into the wheel well for aero, it’s always from low in front of the wheel. NBR has a really functional fender vent cf add on, btw (top of fender).

[@ashleymiwolf]

Anyone experiencing dirt or road debris getting in after this mod?

[@SceneFifty]

Ashley Wolf been driving my car around a lot of places and recently around the island in windy conditions. So far so good. No debris caught in the vents.

[@8145dwerdna]

Ideally this would work better if you also cut the splash guard, to be a vent for the wheel well.

[@SceneFifty]

True. The more ways to get air flowing the better. But since I live in a place where it kinda rains a lot and where there are a lot of pothole lakes, I wanna stay away from cutting the splash guards lol!

[@PaulsWRX]

bro thats a pretty good diy mod. Works it working out? :D

[@SceneFifty]

Heeeeey bro!! Thanks! It’s working out pretty good!

[@BushidoPhoto]

Nice! just subscribed...

[@SceneFifty]

Bushido Photo, LLC right on! Thank you!!!

[@AltRay1000]

Japanese DIY souls thanks nice idea! Idea 0 Yen! Japanese more realization! Tahnks. ------------------------------------------ 日本人もナイスアイデアからDIYでやっている。 アイデアは0円！ありがと。

[@SceneFifty]

AltRay1000 Yehey! 👍🏽 Thank you very much!

[@AltRay1000]

@@SceneFifty I made 6 holes in 2015. It has 32 diameters.

[@SceneFifty]

AltRay1000 nice! I know I could make one more hole but I felt like the area would become too flexible.

[@curzon394x]

Bwhahaha this is ridiculous and doesn't do a thing. smh.

[@SceneFifty]

Don’t knock it until you try it. Smh