brandotron

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys, I looked around forever for answers but couldn't find any, so i apologize if this is a repost.

I'm looking to replace the stock flat hood on my 91 Firebird with a power bulge hood. I'm not looking for cowl induction necessarily, but it would be nice to have the option. If I understand correctly, the GTA hood is non-functional. My question is this; What is the difference between the early Trans Am Power bulge and the Later GTA one? Will the early T/A hood fit my 91 Bird? Did they change the size of the headlight openings or anything? The GTA hood looks like it has a removable part at the opening--why? And finally...does anyone in California have a black one in good shape?

Thanks in advance. Sorry if any of these questions sound dumb--I'm a former '79 Ranchero owner that has seen the light

eddie jr

I think you may be getting confused with the formula hood. The GTA hood was flat like the standard, however, it had 2 vents up front near the nose and vents on the sides above the wheels. I believe they are fake but someone else can confirm this. The formula hood (87-92) was the same as the early 82-84 TA hood with the cowl on the drivers side. I believe they are identical (no changes), not 100% sure though. The cowl, although closed can be made functional, although in the cooler weather it fogs up the windshield from the heat All 3rd gen hoods should fit i believe...90-92 front ends are different but I believe the hood profile stayed the same.

Hope this helps!

brandotron

iTrader: (2)

You're right, I meant the Formula hood. What is that part on the end of the cowl opening? And is it true that the early T/A hoods were fiberglass? Thanks again!

QUICKCHICKEN

iTrader: (12)

no, the early T/A hoods were steeli have "heard" there was an aluminum version but i dont have any hard info on this. as for the opening, its at the end of the "scoop". the opening is visible if looking out from the drivers seat and alot of guys like to remove the block plate that came on the formulas and leave it open for heat extraction. i replaced mine with the grille that came in the 82-84 cars.
the hood that came on the 82-84 cars is identical, if you open the hood on a formula you can see where the cold air induction would mount if it were avail.
i have 4 of these hoods in my posession. one is on my formula, one is on my 83 T/A, one is a replacement for the one on the 83 being its rusted thru near the hood latch area and the 4th is a spare.

topless 88

The difference is the a 82-84 ta hood is steal and the formula hood is aluminum with steal bracing underneth. It's much lighter, and the ram-air set-up from an 84 will work. I have it on my 87 + 1 spare and access to another.

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

do you have any references or visual evidence that any of the firebird hoods are aluminum? It'd be nice if you were correct, but I'm very skeptical without evidence.

topless 88

OOOOPS! Sorry, my mistake. After more research on the subject, the formula hood IS lighter, but is made of ? thiner metal?? I am not, nor try to be an expert on this, and was going on the weight and sound difference. (tapping and closing the hood). Insert food in mouth here.

sgtmac

You can convert the Formula hood to a cold air set up by removing the block off plate and sealing the top of the air cleaner to the bottom of the hood. An article in Popular Hot Rodding(April 87 issue)showed how to fabricate a sheet of aluminum to the bottom of the hood, sealing the top of the air cleaner to the aluminum and a hole that allowed air to come through the rear facing opening to the top of the air cleaner. I think the article claimed a 15 rwhp gain for about $20 bucks in materials.
Also, I believe that one or more years of the tird gen bulge hoods had a factory cold air package available, but it would probably be hard to find.

QUICKCHICKEN

iTrader: (12)

he 82-84 cars had the induction you speak of and if you know where to look they are avail but were designed for carbed cars and the diamond shaped inductions were for cross fire cars.
with a lil creativity you can re route a MAF car thru the opening and i have considerd this but just havent actually sat down and made an effort.
im seriously thinking of putting my induction back into service on my 83 now that i know what i do now.

nightryder

i live in minnesota,its cold and my hood has an open bulge,no fog yet

RCAR7395

iTrader: (124)

Which is this? And worth anything? Its available in a yard . I can get it if anyones interested. Let me know,
Thanks.
Ray

RCAR7395

iTrader: (124)

more pics

liamthered

That appears to be a rusty 82-84 induction hood.

RCAR7395

iTrader: (124)

Thanks, Dude. Worth anything?

bigmac1518

iTrader: (1)

they did make some early year hoods out of aluminum and also were options on firehawks later , promise , i have one

kmcn47

old internet saying, pics or it didnt happen

bigmac1518

iTrader: (1)

ill try to get some up if i have time but its in the back yard so i know they made them

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

ask for all the pics you want, but they do exsit. You will likely never find or see one, since they hardly made any and they go for big money if you do find one.

firehawks had them, and early 82 maybe 83 some were made.

kmcn47

yeah, i know firehawks had em and some formys i just wanna see it, i dont imagine it looks much different if at all, but i still want to see it

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

I can confirm that there are weight differences between early and late hoods. I've salvaged several in the last few years, and the '82-'84 hoods are much more solid and heavy than later Formula hoods.

I'm not sure at what point GM made the hood lighter, but my 1987's hood was heavy like the early years. With 1987 being the first year for the thirdgen Formula, GM was probably using-up leftover original stock before it remanufactured it as a lighter product. So at some point after 1987, the hoods became lighter and disturbingly flimsier.

As for aluminum Power Bulge hoods, I've never seen one in person, but I have seen a pic of one here on TGO. IIRC, okfoz had it and posted the pic. It has the letter A on the underside near the 8-digit part number.

VFN has GM's mold to reproduce the Power Bulge hood in fiberglass, but it's a custom-order product, and they rarely make one, so they don't have any pics of it on their website. I've been in touch with them about it for a few years now, and as recently as last week they told me they have an order for one, so they hope to get pics of one on their website soon. I haven't seen it yet though.