Here is the story, I bought my 84' Berlinetta a few months ago, it is white with black accents such as the hood louvers (that is what i've been told that they are called), lamp pockets etc...Anyway when I popped the hood I quickly figured out that the flaps were functional, controlled by some sort of pull cable. My real question is, how rare were these hoods, and how exactly were they wired, presumably to the throttle, but how, I would like to install an open element and regain the hoods functionality, in effect giving some forced air to an open element. Any answers will be appreciated greatly. Also if this is the wrong board to ask on, sorry.

 

Those hoods are pretty rare to find in decent condition...

If you're lucky enough to still have the boot on the induction part of the hood, if you get a K&N xstream air filter top you'll have a damn good setup to use

I don't remember 100% sure how the cable for the vents/louvers was usually connected, but I would assume that it was either to the gas pedal itself like the throttle cable was or something tied into that somehow, so they'd be open when the engine needs the most air flowing to it

If you have the boot, be glad, because it'll save you a lot of hassle from getting your distributor wet if you end up driving that in the rain hehe

I love those hoods
I want one of those hoods

 

well ihad one but I had no idea what it really was and I cut a section out of it! damn I hate my ignorance!

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I WOULD RATHER PUSH A CAMARO THAN DRIVE AN IMPORT

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package , dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, 16" IROC rims and ASCD SS hood.

future mods:
SLP headers, completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, NEW PLAN IN THE MAKING:
BUILD A WILD CHEVY 302 JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL Z28 HAD

 

thanks for the reply, i hadn't thought of connecting it to the pedal itself, stupid me ...anyway it is in perfect condition, no bondo...its actually the biggest reason I chose this camaro (i didnt want a flat hood without any ground effects)...but what exactly is this boot you are talking about, from my quick inspection of the hood everything seems unmodified, id post pics but id have to get my dads digital camera first ...anyway thanks again for the reply i will check out that filter

 

after messing around with the mechanism under my hood for a few seconds i figured out that it needs to be pushed, not pulled, to activate, so...how exactly would i get my throttle, which pulls obviously, to push the mechanism? any ideas, suggestions?

 

It should run off a vacuum operated solenoid or something to that effect.

 

Weren't the flaps on the Z hoods hooked to a vacuum port on the carb? Just like the old cowl induction Chevelles were.

 

hrm, the solenoid thing is right... I've seen one with it actually hooked to the gas pedal though... not entirely sure how they did it which sucks...

The vacuum was on the twin TBI but I would assume if it was done properly you could run it off the vacuum on a carb too...

I'm going to be trying to convert my normal 83z hood to something similar to the LU5 hood... so when I get the parts I'll let you guys know what happens

Whether or not I can figure the vacuum thing out or if I can rig it for a hardwired setup for use with a toggle switch though is something I'll find out later

BTW the rubber boot I was talking about actually wrapped around the CFI unit itself... its more or less to get air directly into it and it protects the distributor from being hit with water n whatnot when the vents are open

 

Yeah I might still have most of those parts still in my garage I just have to look around.

------------------
I WOULD RATHER PUSH A CAMARO THAN DRIVE AN IMPORT

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package , dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, 16" IROC rims and ASCD SS hood.

future mods:
SLP headers, completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, NEW PLAN IN THE MAKING:
BUILD A WILD CHEVY 302 JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL Z28 HAD

 

are you sure it actually wrapped around the TBI? my hood has something that i might consider a boot under the flaps, it has a thing that seems like it would catch water right below, and then from there it has a few runners (thats what i would call them) that look like they would have led to either TBI and one that should lead air to my air cleaner, anyway im going to take a peek at the 83 shop manual and see for sure how it was, and then if that doesnt go in my favor, ill be trying to come up with some way to do it mechanically