Ok guys, I need a cowl hood to fit my 383 HSR and have a couple questions. First let me start off by saying, I would really like a 2inch since I'm not a tall guy and don't wanna limit myself to left hand turns all the time so I can see where I'm going, and I think that the 2 inch looks a little better. What I need to clear is the filter on the end of the throttle body ( see pics). Now, I just took some measurements and the top of the filter is 2-3/4 inches higher then flush with the fender line (~30 inches from the back of the hood). Then I layed the hood on, with the rear portion of the hood flush with the fenders just like it would be if it were bolted on. I then looked perpendicular to where the highest part of the filter is and there the hood is only 1 inch from being flush. Then I went to the front and measured that, and the very front part of the hood is 2 inches away from being flush with the front bumper. Now these measurements are with the center hood bracing cut out. Now I'm assuming that if the filter is 2-3/4 inch higher then the fender but the hood is only 1 inch away from being flush in that spot, is because the hood is higher in the center then along the fenders, so that's where the 1-3/4 inch difference comes in. So I'm thinking that I only need additional clearance where the filter lines up with the fender (1 inch difference) and not at the front (2 inch differences) since the hood pivots at the back. I hope this didn't confuse all of you but questions or comments would be great.

Tom

Hopefully this MIGHT help a little bit

your probably going to need a 4". unless you find someway to relocate the air filter. possible like a LT1 sytle cold air intake.

if ur not a tall guy......i'd do what scottland said, cuz my cowl gets in the way sometimes when im turnin right or parking...and im 5'7

check out my website in my sig to figure out what a 4 inch cowl looks like from the drivers seat in case you were wondering ok? i think it's page 2 or 3

I looked at your pics from your page and the one from the driver's seat looks pretty much the same as the same type of pic that I saw the other day. Your pic looks like it's even from a higher perpetive then I would even sit in my car. If I had to though, I could raise my seat up a couple of inches or something. What I think I might do is look into the Harwood cowl hood. For some reason summit describes it as a 2" cowl but Harwood lists it as a 3". I'll probably call both places and see what they say.

Tom

2" should be fine. SR can fit under stock camaro hoods, which at that area of the hood is not much different hieght wise than that of the firebird.

If 4" is too much... why not 3"? Someone must make a 3" cowl hood...

You really need to dump the conical filter in favor of a cold air kit. Better power not sucking up all the underhood heat. I'm 6'0'' and my 2" Harwood cowl induction hood is sometimes in my way. IMHO I think the 4" hood is too radical for the street.

I would but I really don't feel like spending another 200 bones for a cold air kit when I already need to speed 1500 on a hood and paint.


Tom

Check around for the cost of prepping and painting your new hood. If it comes needing little prep work you should be able to get it done for a lot less than 1500. I found a guy to paint my hood for 50 bucks plus the paint and he did a very nice job. I agree on the CAI as then you could use a 2" cowl hood and keep the car looking not to radical.

I actually meant 1500 bones for a hood and to paint the whole car. Anyway, I ordered a Harwood 3 inch cowl from Jeg's today. Should be here in 5-7 days.

Tom

That sounds better. For a sec there I thought you were talking 1500 to prep and paint the hood. I wouldn't have surprised me as I had quotes as high as 800 to paint my hood.

How much lighter are these aftermarket fiberglass hoods than the stock steel hoods?

I'm not sure how much lighter they are, but I know they are lighter. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this?

Tom

Here's a pic of my buddies 84 T/A with a 4" cowl.
He goes by transam84 here

Bad ***, did he buy the cowl, then bolt it on, and cut out the bottom ? That is a nice setup, to much for the street, but i like it! I was thinkin of doing that because i cannot afford a whole hood, and just buying like a 2 inch, and welding/or whatever you would do to make it smooth. I dunno, no time or money for even that! Like the car tho