Just wondering what the opinions are out there for the hoodpad. Mine is getting to be ragged, so I was thinking about just pulling off, plus it would keep from covering over my open-element air filter.

Wasn't sure about the effect, if any, on the paint on the top of my hood and under it.

Thanks,
- Justin

 

I havent had one on my bird for almost 4 years... No problems yet. If yours is a daily driver, it would likely aid in keeping the motor warm in cold weather. I have a formy with the cowl hood, and the plate removed so the hot air can escape, without that I am unsure if the additional heat would cook the paint or not... And i think that is dependant on if the paint is factory or not...

~Joe

 

Many members have removed theirs without ill effect.

JamesC

 

I am the 2nd owner of the Camaro, and the seller told me that he had it repainted, original color, because he used to live in New Mexico, so the sun baked the clearcoat and paint right off. So to answer neubauej's question, no the paint is not original. I don't think it will be a problem though. It wasn't like it was painted by maaco or some homemade paint mixture.

 

it should be fine, no matter if the paint is original or not as of now most likely that mat is only good for mouse nests anyway.

 

I bought one for my "new" hood (82 SMC Z28), @$25. But just haven't gotten around to putting it on.

 

I'm on my 6th 3rd gen...2 were totally repainted by me (well...I had them repainted) I I've pulled the insulation off every one in the first week.

1 fiberglass hood in the bunch & no paint problems in any of them.

 

I tore mine off in my old 85. And that was in New Mexico. Never had any problems other than it led to me doing about 200 pounds in weight reduction haha. Anything to get more speed out of that old LG4 man haha.

 

Ran mine for 3 years as a daily dirver without one. No probs

 

You don't NEED it. Most members take them off and a new one cost $60 bucks from the dealer. It will make you car quieter from the outside when standing by the hood but is that a necessary issue?

Some people that have show cars are attaching mirrors in the hood slots and it looks pretty good. Note this TA I snapped a pic of at Indianapolis last week at the fifthgen unveiling.

 

take it off , trash , forget about it . BUT , do not remove rubber seal from across the back of hood . if you remove it you will pull in engine fumes through the vent inlets at the base of of windsheild . stop & go traffic will make your eyes water with seal removed . i removed mine and re-installed it the next day . good thing trash pick-up had not came through , had to dig it out of can . good luck .

 

If you have "engine fumes" you need to address WHY there are fumes. There shouldn't be ANY. Only at the exhaust tip should be there be some. Gas fumes, running super rich carb? Exhaust fumes, leaky exhaust?

I've pulled the rubber seal as well, every time, to give the engine heat another route of escape. NO engine sell being sucked in. My engine doesn't smell. Does yours, when you pop the hood?

 

i agree if you have a clean super sanitary eng. & eng. bay . most of us ( 99% ) do not . most of us have oil dribbles & other road dirt in the eng. bay . go ahead and try if you like but dont throw seal away . good luck .

 

Mine is anything but "super sanitary".

It's a daily driver, my only car, and hasn't had the engine washed since the day I bought the car 3 years ago. Most I ever do is wipe down the air intake tubing, top of the radiator/fan shroud, plenum & runners. That's it. Its dirty...A bit greasy, rusty stock exhaust manifolds, etc.

But there is no reason an engine should smell.

 

well stephen i'm not looking for a debate . i am just going by my own experience . maybe it was the traffic i was in . after i re-installed seal i have had no problems . just my feelings , if i wanted to debate i would call my ex-wife .

 

I'm not looking to debate either.

Just that you were stating it as a FACTUAL no-no to remove, as I've done it many times....Friends here have...Many on TGO have as well, and none of us have had any problems.

I'd put blame more towards your paint job, for messed up paint, than the missing seal. Or a leaking somewhere engine, for bad smells.

Just my

 

I wasn't going to mess with the rubber seal anyways. Some people have had problems with water getting in/on the distributor. Plus, I was going to cut my own aluminum louvers to get the heat out and get rid of those crappy, faded plastic louvers.

By the way, does anybody know where I can get a good size sheet of aluminum, 16 gauge preferebly? Just wondering where to start looking.

 

The insulator is for noise, not heat. The manufacturers try to create a sound that is pleasing to all. By removing it, you only increase engine noise surrounding the car.

 

If that was the only case, then why the crap would you want one on there to begin with. I'm not worried about too much noise surrounding my car. Where I live, the louder it is, the more people like it. That's why I mostly run open headers around town.

 

It's the same with newer car and their intakes. My 06 Silverado has a plastic air intake tube that is not sraight thru to the throttle body. It was designed as a resonator to eliminate noise. That's why people say they like the sound of acceleation after installing an FIPK or other aftermarket CAI.