Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

This hood was fitted perfectly to my car, painted, and looking great. Till i moved to florida, the sun baked it so bad all the spider cracks came up so bad that paint was flaking in places. So i decided to strip it down and start fresh. So i took the grinder to it, cut all the cracks down to solid fiberglass, used West System epoxy and built it back up and shaped it.

Also since those 10 ribs at the top of the cowl were in such bad shape, there was no way i was going to spend my time reshaping them, so i cut them out and smoothed the cowl. Im glad i did the hood looks much better and more modern i think. Here are a few pictures.

[IMG]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/51RHrl.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />[/IMG]
[IMG]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/5u983l.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />[/IMG]

[IMG]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zK5uel.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />[/IMG]
[IMG]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/fzONDl.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />[/IMG]
[IMG]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/Yo2fCl.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />[/IMG]

Mr. IROC-Z

iTrader: (1)

Your pics didnt show up so I redid them for you:

the solitaire

Fixed the img links for you
Looks like an interesting mod.
Cleaing the cowl area really improves the overall appearance in my opinion. From a little less racy and 80's to a little more modern and cleaner.

The crossed out link does not refer to an image btw.

@ Mr IROC-Z, those links contain a lot of rubbish that needs to be cut off on both ends.
The img code is fine, the only part that goes in between the bracketed img code is (for example https://i.imgur.com/Yo2fCl.jpg

EDIT:: just see that you figured it out already

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Sweet, thanks guys, been a while since i was on here, a little rusty. haha

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Yeah I liked it smoothed out also. I always thought the trans am's had a little too much vents or whatever you call them. Still beautiful cars though.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, i did not mind it when i first finished the hood, but when it came time to repair the spider cracks there was no way i was going to spend the time sanding and reshaping those. And although its still multi colored you can get a good idea of the sleek shape. Once its primed one color it will look great i think.

Also, the West System epoxy although very expensive is well worth the money. When used with the additives (microballons, crush fiberglass) it makes a very easy to work with system thats easy to shape , sand , and is very strong. Best part is it does not shrink like traditional resin does.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Ive also been taken the time to smooth out the underside. I want it too look like a high quality fiberglass hood. I hated the look of the fibers on the underside. Ill try to snap some photos of that tonight.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Ive been waiting for my shipment of gel coat. I want to do this hood the right way this time. I dont want to do it over again. I also want to put the firebird back on the hood again!

the solitaire

Due to the location of the headlights, the hood looks significantly better on a bird then it would on a Camaro.

Gelcoat is indeed the way to go. Have been doing some minor glass projects and painted using a sprayable filler/undercoat. The parts with gelcoat seem to be more durable/less vulnerable to paint chipping.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I think i still have one of this same style hood for a camaro, but it is really flimsy. But I always loved this hood, I love the slow progression to the cowl, and the vents in the front cause they blow fresh air right on the blower to keep it cool.

I figured for the 60.00 i spent for a gal of gel coat and hardner, i might as well use it to seal the fiberglass. From what everyone says, the gel coat does not add strength but it does keep water, and grease out, and makes smoothing the hood much easyer.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Finaly got the under side of the hood in gel coat. I went with the wax added gel coat, ive got two coats on so far and the hood looks great. Im so glad i took the time to smooth the under side of the hood. I makes it look like a more expensive hood. Im really likeing the look of the new smooth hood.

Alex85

nice, i have the same hood. some kid gave it to me with the car. do u know what the name of it is?

Arizona IROC

iTrader: (4)

Nice work. Definitely looks more modern and I know how hard it can be to fix all the spider cracks ect.
Just an opinion but I think it would look better if the back of the cowl turned down a little instead of up. Kind of like the Japanese CFH.
I realize that would mean a lot of chopping and reshaping but it would be more subtle and cool IMO

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

The Hood is called Twin Turbo Hood. There are a bunch of ppl making reproductions of these, and I would have bought a new one if the under side was finished. For what ever reason I could not find one that way, and well there expensive as hell. So i fixed the cracks and cut the louvers, and smoothed the under side.

When I got this hood originally it had no corners from being blown up, was wavy and about an inch short from the bumper. long story short Ive been rebuilding this hood for while.


http://www.e-bodyparts.com/Car-Hoods...es/FCAH-13.htm

http://www.texastransams.com/parts/fiberglass.htm

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

looks 10x better now without the cowl ribs. I wish I could use this hood on my car but the darn turbos sit up tooo high

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

The great thing about this hood is the progressive cowl. It starts to rise where the triangles are, then goes up more from the cowl. You would be surprised at the room you get under the hood.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

hard to tell in the pics but is the triangle portion just indented into the hood so that it goes below normal hood level or is that section also raised up?

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

I like it! There is a guy running around my town with a twin turbo hood, and taking those vents out is exactly what I thought about when I looked at it close. Great work. Post more pics!!!

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

It starts to go up right from the start of the triangle, the triangle bottom stays level, but it ends just shy of the acesories. This works perfect for me cause it keeps cold air blowing on the Procharger.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Ill be spraying the gel coat again today, Ill take some pictures when i get home. I spent a few hours yesterday smoothing out the brushed on coats. Its looking really good.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

[IMG][/IMG]
Both are from the underside, 3rd coat of gel coat. Now final sand, and then prime/ paint
[IMG][/IMG]

Here is the result of body work in a garage. I cant wait to wash it again!!! Would you believe I have not driven this car in over 2 years. This is my baby, My first car. I'm going through with drawls.
[IMG][/IMG]

the solitaire

That looks very smooth.

Seeing the underside of the hood really gives an impression of how much additional clearance the cowl area offers.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, thats the one thing i like most about it. It gives great room, but does not come up like huge unnecessary cowl.

Ive got a few imperfections to work out now, The nice thing about the gel coat is it easily sands. So I'm going to block it out, and fill with finishing icing where needed. Trying to get the hood and the spoiler painted this weekend.

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Looks great on the underside. Big improvement on this hood!

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Here are some updates as of yesterday. Got both the hood and the wing in gel coat. Going to start my final block sand stages to get it smooth and level. Then maybe hopefully in color by next week.






[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

WickedCrazy

Anyone know of where you could buy this hood? Im really diggin it

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

http://www.texastransams.com/parts/fiberglass.htm
http://www.e-bodyparts.com/Car-Hoods...es/FCAH-13.htm

Its called a twin turbo hood.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Im at the most pain stakeing part. Block sanding everything smooth and level. This is that part where it matters most. Also the part where I have the least patients. But Its coming along nice, and I should have it almost fully block saned by tonight and ready for primer by tomorrow.
As for the wing, It still needs more work. Ive got to re shape the front edge and block it out to find the high and low spots. After all this It better not crack again.

DeltaElite121

Don't like these on Camaro's, but the firebirds however.. I actually like it on them. Looks good so far! Now get out there and show us a finished product!

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

I wish It was just that easy. I work full time, And body work takes forever. At least to get it right. Soon though, I have too. I miss driving this car. My daily drive is just not cutting it any more.

spade

iTrader: (3)

i have the same hood gonna have it installed in a week or 2.... problem is im not sure where im supposed to bold the hinges on.... any help?

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Mine has square nuts fiberglassed right in the factory hood hinge location, and the latch, so it bolts up just like stock.
Did you buy a lift off hood? Cause they dont have any hinge bolts, or latch bolts. There made to be held down with hood pins.

Where did you get the hood?

spade

iTrader: (3)

no its not a lift off hood... bought it used... has a hood latch on it...

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Well In the same location as the factory steel hood should be two holes for the hing bolts. Have any pictures of that area?

spade

iTrader: (3)

ok i had my hood bolted... but now i cant close the hood... right where the vents are they are hitting the top of the radiator.... i have now cut those holes bigger in order to fit.... fml... unless you gotta better idea....

travis401

iTrader: (1)

is that a blazer i see in the background? behind the rv? ive got an 86 SWB silvy myself. love those old trucks

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Do you have any pictures of where its hitting, Sorry its taken me so long to check back on this thread.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Well I know this has taken me way too long, But after buying a house, and finishing school it was put on the back burner. Well I finally painted the hood and LH fender. I began to align and fit everything again yesterday. I really like this hood without the "cowl gills". Its way more sleek!

I have the Original Gold bird decal, Should I put it on? Ive been waiting to put it on for over 5 years now! Whats everyones opinion on it?

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

I remember seeing this thread when you started it. It is looking great on there. With out the cowl gills it seems a little less busy and even more subtle. I have the bulge hood and honestly feel that the twin turbo hood would be my first choice if I went aftermarket. With the way the hood of the bird slopes down more it makes that hood look much better than on a Camaro in my opinion.
You did a real good job on it and I like the fact that you finished the bottom of the hood. and two

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I love the newer sleek look. I cant wait to get it aligned and see it with the front bumper and bird on.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

So I spent almost 2 hours yesterday trying to get everything "close" to alignment in the front end ( hood, fenders, headlights). Anyone have any good tricks to getting this just right?

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

Well after I put the front bumper on the car I realized that the lower gold trim was the wrong color. So back off it came, along with all the lower GFX so I can repaint them all at the same time. Nothing I hate more then metallic mismatch. So here are a few pics of the removal.


Found some critter droppings under my rear seat!!!! Can has been in the garage for 3 years. I have not found the culprit yet though!


The Miss match color. Right is the bumper, left is the front GFX.


Removed LH side effects.


Since I bought the whole square dot fade kit I'm going to remove it all. That way everything matches.

Recaro trans am

iTrader: (1)

The evolution of the hood is coming along. Sure took a really long time. Here are some recent pictures.

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Looks good man. I wish they just molded that hood that way. Takes the "Corvette Summer" look out of it.

Can't wait to see the finished pics.