Best hoods on Trans Am
#1
Best hoods on Trans Am
hey guys, i have been toying with the thought of a new hood for a long time. I have always liked the classic cowl hood, but my wife likes the stock powerbulge....i kinda like the double powerbulge, but i miss that it doesnt have the front vents. I'm looking for the best hoods on your firebirds, not just for decision making, but cuz i want to see your cars too!!!
#2
Re: Best hoods on Trans Am
I've been thinking about which hood to install on mine for years. Seems like fiberglass hoods can have issues and I would feel unsafe without hood pins. The VFN cowl hood would be my pick for a fiberglass hood: http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/8292firebird.htm
If I could fabricate, I may modify the 85-92 Trans Am hood like this one in post 208:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...-making-5.html
Or install a 78 TA shaker on a 85-92 hood. Similar to this, post #6:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...en-bumper.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...gen-shaker.jpg
Or simply paint the vents gloss black on a 85-92 hood.
If I could fabricate, I may modify the 85-92 Trans Am hood like this one in post 208:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...-making-5.html
Or install a 78 TA shaker on a 85-92 hood. Similar to this, post #6:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...en-bumper.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...gen-shaker.jpg
Or simply paint the vents gloss black on a 85-92 hood.
#3
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Car: '89 Firebird
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Re: Best hoods on Trans Am
Personally, I would leave the body alone and spend the same effort on wheels/tires and ride height. I think some day you'll be glad you didn't mess with the car too much.
#4
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Re: Best hoods on Trans Am
If I could fabricate, I may modify the 85-92 Trans Am hood like this one in post 208:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...-making-5.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...-making-5.html
Or install a 78 TA shaker on a 85-92 hood. Similar to this, post #6:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...en-bumper.html
I would skip on all the other hood designs except for the factory power bulge hood which I have always thought worked well.
#5
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Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt/3.45
Re: Best hoods on Trans Am
TA vents could probably be added to the double bulge ISMA hood, and it would look good, too... if you could somehow get ahold of one of those hoods, as they haven't been available for about a decade, or so.
But there's a multi-page thread in the FAQ forum that should help you out: Best Firebird Hoods... Also, I have a thread in the Body forum about fiberglass and carbon fiber Power Bulge hoods, where a pic has been posted of VFN's hood.
But there's a multi-page thread in the FAQ forum that should help you out: Best Firebird Hoods... Also, I have a thread in the Body forum about fiberglass and carbon fiber Power Bulge hoods, where a pic has been posted of VFN's hood.
#6
COTM Editor (Retired)
Re: Best hoods on Trans Am
Be careful, it is really easy to screw up the looks of a Trans Am. The Pontiac body lines are not nearly as tolerant to changes as the Camaro. Personally, I think the squared off cowl hood looks terrible on the Pontiac. If Elmo was standing next to the car he would spontaneously break out in song, "One of these things doesn't belong with the other"
Personally, I would leave the body alone and spend the same effort on wheels/tires and ride height. I think some day you'll be glad you didn't mess with the car too much.
Personally, I would leave the body alone and spend the same effort on wheels/tires and ride height. I think some day you'll be glad you didn't mess with the car too much.
racerx520, for that car, you already have the best hood. unless there is a legit clearance issue, i wouldn't mess with it.
#7
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Re: Best hoods on Trans Am
I wasn't in a position to copy-and-paste earlier, so here are the two threads I referred to above.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...d-choices.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...***-power.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...d-choices.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...***-power.html