Subaru Crosstrek Hood Louver Installation

February 22, 2025

Thank you for choosing Spiked Performance!

This Hood Louver kit is a DIY product, and although cutting into your car can be scary, it's a fairly simple job. Just remember to take your time, and cut with the most precision possible. We are not responsible for any damage to your vehicle or this product during the installation process or after. If you do not feel comfortable, please consider professional assembly.

Your Spiked Performance Hood Louver kit includes:

Hood Louver set
1/8th Rivets
Vinyl Cut template

Tools needed:

Icy cold beverage
Angle Grinder with cut disc
Drill & 1/8″ drill bit
Rivet Gun
File
Masking tape
Measuring tape

Make sure to wear protective equipment! Long sleeve shirt, eye protection, and ear protection are all recommended!

Step 1: Install Cut Template

Measure 28 inches from the points indicated in the photo below, and mark the points with a piece of masking tape. Once the points are marked, run a piece of masking tape across the hood to connect the 2 points. This will be used as a reference line for the vents.

Now you're ready to line up your cut templates. Lay the template on the hood(don't stick it yet). Measure 3.5" from the hood line indicated in the image below to the side of the template. Make sure the tip of the template is right at the top of the masking tape line. Tape it down so it stays in place.

Now it's time to remove the sticker backing. You want the template to stay in position, but you also need to be able to lift it up. To do this, simply tape down the tip of the template like the image below. Remove any other masking tape holding the template in place.

Lift the back of the template up and gently peel the backing off and discard it.

Carefully lay the decal down, and use a credit card to smooth it out. Then remove the transfer tape.

Repeat this on both sides of the hood.

Step 2: Protect the Paint

Tape some newspaper or whatever you have handy to cover all areas of the hood you aren't cutting. This is to protect the paint, so if you don't care about your paint you can skip this step.

Step 3: Cut the top layer

Take a deep breath and cut out the holes.

Warning: Take your time. Do this in sections, and give your hood a chance to cool between cuts. If it over heats you'll melt the vinyl, and it can start to damage your paint. Most of this will be covered by the overlap of the louvers, but it's best to be cautious.

This is a good time to sip your icy cold beverage between cuts.

Step 4: Cutting the Bottom Layer

Flip the hood over, and you should be able to see the holes you cut out on top.

Using your angle grinder, cut out the bracing blocking the opening. Be careful not to also cut through the hood skin.

Slide the louver into place and fine trim any area that's contacting. This is a great time to clean up the edges with a file or dremel if you have one.

Step 5: Drill the mounting holes

Start by only drilling one corner hole. Drill through the louver and the hood together. Stick a rivet in this hole to hold the louver in place. *Do not actually install the rivet, you are just placing it in the hole.

Line up a hole on the opposite end. Example; you drilled the bottom left hole, so line up the top right. Drill out that hole and out a rivet in place.

Drill the remaining holes through the Louver an hood together. This insures perfect alignment.