Hey guys. I have a 4" fiberglass cowl induction hood that will be going on the car soon and the guy I bought it from glassed over the vents for some reason. Now, for a first time around I simply do not trust myself to cut and glass some new vents in and I'm doing this bodywork and paintjob on a budget so I'd like to keep costs at the bodyshop as low as possible.

My question is other than for cowl induction air intake which I will see zero benefit from on a MAF TPI system, is there ANY reason to have functional vents vs just having them smoothed and painted over? I'm not sure how much this would improve airflow into the engine bay since the entire underside of the bay is already open and being constantly circulated while the car is in motion.

 

Hard to answer without seeing what vents you are referring to. I am guessing it is a hood like mine? And at any rate vents are not necessary, though vents in the top or side(if cowl hood) will indeed help heat dissipation, have to remember hot air rises, just pop the hood on a FWD car sometime(more exaggerated due to tight spacing) after a long drive. Downside is they also let some rain in, lol...

 

http://image.gmhightechperformance.c..._inch_lift.jpg

A hood like that. What benefit if any will it give if the cowl vents are functional?

 

That hood doesn't have vents, unless it has something at the back that is closed off by default, but that would be for induction for the intact tract not heat dissipation. If it does actually have side vents that can be punched out it would help dissipate heat, but I've never seen side vents on a regular cowl hood.

 

I have a 1988 Convertible Camaro with Vented sides & it has help with my engine running cooler, however I also use Wetter Water & the two combined has helped my car run cooler.