Since the previous owner of my TA popped a hole through the hood with too long of a carb stud, and I don't feel it'd be worthwhile to fix it since I doubt my intake\carb\cleaner will fit anyways, I'm in the market for a new hood.

There are hundreds and hundreds of posts about hoods, here and elsewhere. Fitment, problems, ideas, et cetera. What I'd like to do is to try and get some information in one location so I (and hopefully others down the road) can make an educated decision. Especially since the info won't be 5-10 years old.

So far, here's the options that I'm finding. Although I have no idea if they're still available, they're listed on their respective sites.

VFN Hoods
Link: http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/8292firebird.htm

1) Stock, Flat
2) Formula Hood (I'm guessing power bulge?)
3) 4.5" Cowl (Sort of looks like the Harwood Cowl)
4) 4.5" Cowl (Sunoco)
5) WS6\Nostril (3" at windshield, 5" at center)

Harwood
Link: https://www.eharwood.com/pdf/Catalog-6-16-16.pdf
Page 19

1) 3" Cowl Hood

Duraflex
I've never heard anything good about these, so I'm not going to bother posting it.

I love the idea of a steel cowl hood. However, it doesn't appear that Goodmark makes any cowl hoods for Third Gen Firebirds.

The Ram Air hoods don't really spark my fancy, but I'd run one if I had to. It might grow on me. As long as the nostrils aren't huuuuuge (which is exactly what they look like).

What other options are there, if any? As far as fitment goes, who's is better? Pros and cons of Pin-On vs Bolt-On? Etc.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

I ended up using a fiberglas ram air hood on my formula, yes fitment was and still is a pain in the a**, but It looks awesome.

​​​​​​

 

What manufacturer? Is it the same one I listed above?

 

Hey Mike, I purchased it off a gentlemen up in Ottawa who told me he had it shipped up
​​​from Hawks... It looks identical to the one on their website. I have to say the style suits my formula, but it's not as solid as I would like it to be and the fitment is very frustrating...im gonna try again this spring to get the front passenger side by the flip up light to lay more flat. Cheers Rick

 

The power bulge hood is what should have been on your TA and is what I think looks best. I like the ram air I hood for the 85 and up TAs but IMO the 82-84 TA styling is too hard edged for the sort of rounded styling. The normal cowl design doesn't fit the pointy nose but the sunoco does if you can find it. All my opinion of cores.

 

I agree that the power bulge looks best, but unfortunately it won't help with adding the additional clearance I will need.

 

Here are a few hood pics I collected.

 

A few more. The last one is going on my 84 TA.
I don't know who made it. It's a bolt-on and is anything but lightweight.
I like that the nostrils begin a little further back than other brands I have seen.

 

i like th one on the black TA who makes that one?

 

The black TA with the bird, or without?
These are just pics I saved when I was trying to choose a hood.
But I will see what info I can come up with.

 

without the bird, thanks

 

I found this:
http://www.body-panel.com/details.asp?ID=851

http://www.fiberpartsconcepts.com/1289627.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exte...-trans-am.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...d-finally.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...d-choices.html

http://cascadecrew.org/phpBB2/garage...vehicle&CID=15

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...imsa-hood.html

http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/firebird82up.html

 

Personally I prefer the stock power bulge hood of the earliest trans ams,but I also like the vented hood of the 85 and later cars. The aftermarket hoods look out of place and over the top,but that's just my opinion. I think the designers at GM did a great job on these cars and they looked best the way they came from the factory.

 

I have the power bulge hood and hate it. To me, GM only got it 1/2 right - they only did 1 side, should have been a mirror image on the pass side. And there is no extra clearance added underneath. FAIL in my book.

 

I have the hardwood cowl. Gave me plenty of clearance for the air cleaner and I get a lot more people checking it out after it. You can see in the pix with the rear lined up with the fenders the front has a small gap but I'm cool with it. If I ever go fuel injection or LS I'll probably start looking for a vented TA hood I love them and they should fit perfectly. I day dream about putting the vents in my cowl hood, that might give me the look I'm after.

 

That's the Sunoco hood. I don't know who makes it but maybe that'll help you. It definitely looks good on early 3rd gens.

 

Actually, I think that's the ISMA hood.

 

I feel similarly. The should've just make it a real cowl induction hood rather than a pseudo cowl.

 

You're right. Woops.