I'm currently gathering parts for the forged 383/385 that will be going into my '89 GTA, & since it'll be topped off with an HSR intake, I'd like/need to get a bit more clearance. I've started looking at hoods, but I really haven't found any that are really "right" for what I want to do:

* The RA II & the 4" cowl are too "cartoony" in a sort of way (if you're not running low 12s, you look like a poser, IMHO);
* The "Daytona" hood (with the two NACA ducts & the cowl) just reminds me too much of the garish freaks of the 1970s;
* The "power bulge" hood looks cool, but doesn't provide the clearance where it's needed;
* I flat-out LOVE the "IMSA" hood (aka the "symmetrical power bulge"), but again, it doesn't give the clearance where it's needed, & besides, I don't think anyone makes it any more;

Let's see, what else is out there? I suppose that I could live with a 2" cowl (if one could be found), but that just kind of seems to be a little bit plain... So far, the only one I've seen that wasn't too bad was the RA I hood, & if I got that, I'd feel like a "4th-gen wanna-be" (same as with the RA II)...

(FWIW, I have read the "Firebird hood" thread in the FAQ board...)

Is there anything out there that I'm missing? Thanks guys.

 

If you had the straight flat spoiler on the back, a small cowl compliments it really good, looks really nice.

 

Yeah, that IS a nice, clean-lookin' car... Where did you find the hood??

 

get a 2 or 3 inch cowl...nothing else you can do...fab your own hood

 

If you don't mind 'glassing on a fiberglass piece to the steel hood...

 

How big is the cowl on the hood they offer from Summit. I am in the same boat possibly,, with a GTA and another intake that I have. I thought about purchasing that hood but can't find any info on it.

 

THAT is exactly the hood that I really like - and it looks like it MIGHT just offer the clearance where I need it... Details, please???

Also - is it feasible to try to 'glass that scoop onto a lightweight pin-on fiberglass hood??

 

I did something right!

Sorry, but I forget where I got those pics. I think it was on sale on eBay.

No reason you couldn't get a stock 'glass hood, that scoop, and 'glass them together.'glass 2 'glass

1 place with lots of scoops

 

Oh...On a light weight lift-off hood, I think I might be inclined to leave a strip of the original hood, at the very rear under the scoop, rather than cutting it into a "U". I know hoods are made that way, but I'm guessing that a made-that-way hood might be a little stronger doing that, than a self-made one.

Might be wrong, dunno...I'm no body/'glass guy.

 

I'd imagine that you're absolutely right with that - especially with a lightweight hood like I'm considering... And looking at that hood a 2nd time, I'm thinking that it might not be that hard to fab up a mold for just the scoop itself...

 

Keep it up, and you'll hafta finish this thread in the Fabrication Forum!

I may be out in left base on this, but don't you hafta build a part by hand first, cast a mold, then THAT mold can be used to build the part with?

 

Ehhh, you're probably right, I've never done fiberglass before...

I've been talking with a guy that I work with (who's also interested in running on the salt), he's been wanting to rent a real-small commercial property together so that we could do things like what we're discussing here. He's already done 'glass work, so I figured I'd bounce the idea off of him & see what he had to say.

I just really hope that it's not necessary to fab up a mold for an entire hood...

 

I guess you could start with a stock, flat 'glass hood, mold just the part you want, then graft the two together, 'glass to 'glass. Don't see why that couldn't be done? Be like fixing a Covette piece, that is not so far gone, that the entire part needs replacing, like a hole in a front fender...