Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I am in need of some Photoshop work. We _ARE_ going to be making some new, never available hoods for the 3rdgens.

I have the Sunoco hood with and w/o vents for the Firebirds (done by Stephen) and would like someone to take the Jap hood for the Camaro and adapt it for the Firebird hood.

Also, if you have any other ideas of hoods and can create a good photoshop to show it, please post it here. I would like to use the pictures as references in my other post in the Body section so people can vote on the hood we create first.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!

spade

iTrader: (3)

theres a guy here who has created the jap hood for brds... his name is something like fyrechken or something like that.. not sure...

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Well, he did a steel version that's in bare metal and we've not seen updated in months, so I can't really use it as an accurate representation.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Can someone change the color of this hood to match the body color? I'm just curious if it'd change the look of the overall hood.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

FYRCHKNs hood (unfinished) on my GTA.....
(i just realized...this was before the extractor scoop was put in)

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I've only learned PS by asking others how & practicing, so mine aren't always the best. I know it needs work, but will this work for ya?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

That looks pretty nice; although w/o the vent it just looks like a cowl hood of sorts... doesn't it? Picking the right hood to make for the Firebirds is gonna be tough... really tough...



BTW: Thanks for the PS work on the Camaro, too.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

He fabbed it out of the stock metal hood, so the sides of the rise isn't sloped like the Jongbloed-style hood is, but it is close. Kinda like just an angled cowl (if that makes sense).

My vote is still for the Jongbloed style that I Photoshopped years ago! Just not sure about with or without the stock vents.



How about the one Gale Banks built/was building?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

We can build anything; fabrication isn't a problem - I just need to know what the masses like for the Firebird - I've decided I'm building a variation of the Japanese Heat Extractor hood for myself on my '91 Z28. I'll market it once its done. Pricing will be competitive with the other offerings on the market ($450-$500). We will most likely be offering some other options in the long run for the Camaro, but the initial hood will be the Jap H/E hood.

fadedirocz28

I dont even have a firebird, But if that hood gets made, itll be the one people want.

(not that they have much choice judging from stephen's posts with camaro hood envy lol :] )

I really think the version without vents that stephen posted should be the one made, its simple and shouldn't be messed with, even a extractor vent like on the camaro version would cut the potential customers because not everyone wants "crazy", the firebird has very sleek/simple lines up front

Id love the camaro hood if it didnt have the side vents, and had a bit more height to it, unless you plan on making different heights, Gotta appeal to the people who want it for the clearance as well as those who just want the looks (notice the headlights o.O)

(sorry for the badly done mock up, really low res picture)



If anybody wants me to photoshop any reasonable things, just ask.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Camaro hood envy????

Were do you get that idea? I merely want the Jongbloed/Sunoco. It enhances to stock lines, by just raising the center section between the creases already in the stock lines. Yes, it was originally made for Camaros, but that doesn't make it "camaro hood envy". I had to mod the inner structure of my stock hood, just to fit a STB. That's how tight the hood clearance is in GTAs.

And I think you nailed it with the sleek designs comment. No need to go crazy with a new design. We need more options, but they won't appeal to the masses, which is the goal of every new product. Sell as many as possible.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the 'chop. This is most likely what I'll be making for my own Z28 first. I am undecided on the side vents mostly because of the 'boring' look to 'em. I like the idea, but if I'm going to put the work into them, I'd like them to look better than a slit in the hood...

'Course these two options appeal to me... As far as side vents go...



or



I think if I did put the side vents on it, they'd be further back in the hood like this 5thgen pic, rather than directly next to the main vent.

OH YEAH - My heat extractor will have a water channel built into the bottom side of the hood to direct rainwater away from the engine and drop out somewhere else; somewhere better.

spade

iTrader: (3)

i think the 1s on the viper is TOOOOOOOOOOO mch for a camaro or a firebird...

but the 1 on the 5th gen looks nice and classy

spade

iTrader: (3)

outta curiosity... Dante are you guys going to be making that jap hood for both camaro and fbirds or just camaro and make that 1 that stephen designed for the birds..?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I'll definitely be making a version of the Jap H/E for the Camaro - As for the Firebird, I'm actually leaning more towards making Stephen's version (Sunoco), but with a single heat extractor vent in the middle. Due to some wanting and some not, I think it will NOT include the Trans Am vents at all.

Once I've got enough photoshops and input, I'll put it to a vote in my other thread so everyone can get a say in what is produced. Production all depends on what people like and will buy.

Datsun570Z

How about something like this? I photochopped it on to my Zed and added color.

fadedirocz28

That hood above, on the green car, would fall into the same area the daytona camaro hood does, about 10-15% would love it, the rest would absolutely hate it.

And i meant nothing by it Stephen, I've just lurked for a long time now, and I've seen a lot of posts where you say firebirds have little to no aftermarket hoods where there's far more choices for the camaro.

Thats what i didnt like about the vents as well dante, the position. but i didnt want to say move them to the windshield because i didnt know if there was a purpose for them being where they were.

Gotta agree with spade though, Even though that viper hood is sexy, the camaro/firebird doesn't have the "exotic" look to it to pull it off.

I bet you could make a reproduction Iroc-Z hood, with a variant of the louvers built into the hood (functional) and they would sell extremely well, Even if it wasn't Carbon fiber. If it was carbon fiber though, My goodness. Good luck making enough of them. < This would be the safest choice, from a business standpoint. (not trying to tell you what to do, im sure you know more about this stuff than me)

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

That looks like the L-98 hood that is already available for the Camaros.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

When it comes to the RA1 design, I've always like the functional one from Suncoast, just not the price.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Maybe they used this as the mold:

spade

iTrader: (3)

^ it is funtional.... :P

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I'm assuming you meant that as an insult to Suncoast.

Can't deny that is way more functional than the other RA1 designs out there, with the nostrils too far back to fit an air ox too, especially for MAF cars.

I still think it is a great hood.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Well, balancing power & style can sometimes be complicated... hehehe... Although, I don't think 5 extra hp from a "ram air" system warrants those blocky nostrils!

No offense, tho; its just not my cup of tea.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

But if you look at the lines of a 82-90 'bird, the lines fit. The 82-90 have very straight lines, compared to the curves of the 91/92 & the 4th gens 'birds.

I, for one, do not want to drop $500+- on a hood that does nothing more than shed some lbs, 5hp gain or not. Otherwise the 'birds already have choices to do that. The Jongbloed/Sunoco is about the only hood that would get me to do that, and that is because of what I can fit under the hood & keep it hidden. Besides...I think it is THE most sexiest one out there and it would flow with the stock body lines so well.

And in the end.....Isn't the main goal about what the majority of your CUSTOMERS want to pay you for, and not what YOU would do to a 'bird (that you don't even have)? You might hafta build something you dislike, to get the sales you want.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I agree the lines flow, its just that god-awful nostril setup at the end of it. Unlike the ASCD RA1, which has some rake to it and doesn't start at the absolute front of the hood. I understand the ram air value of the hood, so if someone is looking for a Ram Air hood, its a viable option.

As for the lines, ours will probably have a similar line structure, so no worries there.

I'm a bit confused here. Don't take offense, its just my opinion.

Hang in there, buckaroo, I think you'll be pleased with our offerings, as I have a sneaking suspicion that you'll be getting the hood you've always wanted, as it clearly fits the lines well and I'm guessing it will get the majority of the votes.

whitedevilTA

iTrader: (8)

I would LOVE a jongbloed hood with a single heat extractor in the center. No trans am hood vents. They are gaudy looking as is. The cowl part cant rise too high though! Maybe 2 inches or so above the stock hood. And bring the cowl right to the back of the hood. IMO firebirds are sleek cars and can't pull off high rise hoods. Plus, with FI being so popular, most people don't need a big hood to cover thier engine. I am in as far as a sale if this hood is made, Dante. My cars going to paint soon and it would be the perfect time for me to buy. I'll be following this closely.

Just one question....how will the heat extractor be functional if you design it so the water will be blocked and re-routed to drain somewhere else?

By the way, RA1 and 2 hoods are hideous! Don't mean to offend anyone!

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

The height shouldn't be a problem - As for the heat extractor It will definitely be functional- The only feasible way to do it seems to be to:

(a) Have the HE vent overhang the opening to block direct rainfall, sunlight, etc from hitting the engine directly.

(b) Given we have the room, there will be a small gutter/trough (hardly noticeable) that will be located inside the vent, at the windshield side of the opening. It will be connected to a ducting system that (in my vision) will allow water to drain somewhere safe (in front of the radiator, an opening somewhere where nothing is likely to be).

I'm always open for input, too, if you think of anything!

deadbird

So, you won't build what others might want because you don't like its looks or think it's useless? Or, am I reading that wrong ?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Well, if everyone said they wanted a nasty, horrible looking hood, I'll build it with pre-orders. I'll build anything that will sell but if I personally think it looks terrible, I am still entitled to that opinion.

stealthroc89

Would the heat extractor hood clear a stealth ram? It barely clears a stock hood, even with the cowl it looks like there might be a clearance issue if it dips too low below the hood. The green car has a L-88 hood (sorry for the corection), looks good on 2nd gens but it's uuuugly on a 3rd gen IMO. I have the daytona hood and I hate it, water and dirt get in there and makes a real good mess of things lol, no garage..... I like the extractor hood though, its pretty cool (body color looks best). Can you make the rear spoiler from that car??? Those would be easy to sell since there are alot of people wanting the high rise spoiler. Hope things come together soon.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

I vote for the Firebird one pictured number 2 in post 8. I prefer the louvers as it look more like it came from the factory. Maybe make one without the louvers and have an option for the louvers. I assume these will be made out of fiberglass with a good amount of weight savings.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Yes, it would clear. If it fits under a stock hood, it will fit under this new one. That's the simple answer.

Fiberglass doesn't always equate to a large percentage of weight savings. These hoods will undoubtedly save weight over the stock steel ones, but don't expect a huge difference. If you consider that these hoods will have not only finished exteriors, but insides as well, there will be some weight there. Again, less than factory, but it may only weigh 10lbs less, we won't know for sure until we measure the first one out of the mold.

DBLTKE

iTrader: (1)

I'd be very interested in a hood like the one from Grace Co.