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Hood clearance experiences

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Old 01-07-2017, 12:59 PM
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Hood clearance experiences

I picked up a Vortec 350 that the previous owner had installed a Summit Racing stage 4 single plane intake and a agressive(for TBI and stock compression) Lunati cam. On top of it I will be running a TBI unit from SPR performance for a square bore intake so I won't need an adapter.
The previous owner had this in his third gen Firebird(Formula?) and it he said it just barely cleared his hood. I believe he ran an adapter with a big block TBI.
I'm putting it in my '92 RS with the stock, flat hood. I'd like to keep the hood because I prefer that look.

Anyone run a setup similar to this? What experiences have you guys had with hood clearance with different combos? I've tried searching, but there's so many variables.
Old 01-07-2017, 09:40 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

In highschool I ran an RPM airgap with 600 edelbrock carb and a 3" tall filter on it under a stock hood in an 84 Camaro, it fit fine. Now im not sure how tall your intake is compared to the edelbrock RPM airgap but that set up fit fine. This was in a sports coupe that we ran it in with a factory steel hood
Old 01-07-2017, 10:28 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Thanks for the input. It looks like my intake manifold is 1-3/8" taller than a Air Gap, but my TBI is 1/2" shorter than an Edelbrock. So my installed height is 7/8" taller than yours was before the air cleaner. I may make it then.
I want everything to fit under the stock hood. I don't like the cowl hoods on the Camaros too much. It takes away from the sleek look of the car, and, in my opinion, they sometimes look out of place.
Old 01-07-2017, 10:32 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

you should be ok depending on your air cleaner, you could always find a factory fiberglass hood like i have, it doesn't have the webbing on the bottom and will give you another 1/2" or so of clearance.
Old 01-07-2017, 10:50 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Thanks for the tips, at least I know I have a reasonable shot. If space is real tight, I may try something like this from Spectre.
Old 01-08-2017, 04:11 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

I used a large ball of play-doe and put it on top of my stock filter lid than closed the hood. Open the hood and the doe was flatten on top. Measured the doe from top to bottom and that gave me an exact measurement of the distance from lid to hood.

I used that to figure out how my new 3in filter would fit with my new hood.
The "filter top" sets about 1 inch into the "Cowl Hole" with about 1/4 inch space around the edges.
Now that's close.

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 02-09-2017 at 02:12 AM.
Old 01-08-2017, 08:59 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

have you looked into a low profile, dropped base air cleaner?
Old 01-08-2017, 09:13 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Ron USMC- Nice engine compartment. Thanks for the tips. What intake manifold are you running? TBI?
Old 01-08-2017, 05:01 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Stock intake manifold with stock TBI and a "drop base" filter.
Old 01-08-2017, 05:51 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Yikes. You needed the cowl hood with just a 3" air filter? Even with the drop base?
Old 01-08-2017, 07:31 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Originally Posted by Ron U.S.M.C.
The "filter top" sets about 1 inch into the "Cowl Hole" with about 1/4 inch space around the edges.
Now that's close.
1/4" clearance? I'd expect problems when the engine rocks on the mounts from torque.
Old 01-16-2017, 04:08 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

I'm willing to bet its not going to clear without changing the intake.

I run an Edelbrock 2116, 1/4 inch TBI spacer and a 3 inch open element air cleaner. It rubs the hood insulation.
Old 01-17-2017, 08:02 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Originally Posted by bluers91
I'm willing to bet its not going to clear without changing the intake.

I run an Edelbrock 2116, 1/4 inch TBI spacer and a 3 inch open element air cleaner. It rubs the hood insulation.
I'm sure it will be close, no matter what.
Did you notice any difference with the spacer? I put like a 1" open spacer, did the "ultimate" TBI mods, installed a Hypertech "salad bowl" and a pod spacer on my Suburban and didn't notice a darn bit of difference.
Old 01-17-2017, 10:58 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Originally Posted by JdubRS
I'm sure it will be close, no matter what.
Did you notice any difference with the spacer? I put like a 1" open spacer, did the "ultimate" TBI mods, installed a Hypertech "salad bowl" and a pod spacer on my Suburban and didn't notice a darn bit of difference.
It's actually a TBI spacer. I put it on with a new engine after I swapped out the LO3.
Old 01-20-2017, 03:40 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

A drop base will touch on the throttle linkage on my car so I use a spacer on top of the stock steel ring to raise it up. That includes removing it from the top of the coil.

If you get a better look at the Goodmark "Steel" 2in. Cowl Hoods underside around the filter assembly it sets pretty low.

As far as engine flex I took care of "a lot" of that with "Energy Suspensions" brand of Polyurethane Engine Mounts that also raise the engine up a bit.
Even with the new gear ratio and posi unit I have not had any problems.

I saved this car from the crusher about 10 years ago and have blood,sweat and tears on just about every piece.

Its my DD

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 01-20-2017 at 07:24 PM.
Old 01-20-2017, 03:52 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Originally Posted by JdubRS
Yikes. You needed the cowl hood with just a 3" air filter? Even with the drop base?
I did not "need" this steel cowl hood but wanted it as a the foundation for a paint job I saved years for.

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 01-20-2017 at 04:24 AM.
Old 01-20-2017, 07:47 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Originally Posted by Ron U.S.M.C.
I did not "need" this steel cowl hood but wanted it as a the foundation for a paint job I saved years for.
I like the red with the black strip on the cowl section of the hood.
Old 01-20-2017, 07:03 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Thanks,
Its obvious I am proud of the way it came out.

My hood actually made it into a Magazine called "Hemmings Muscle Machines"
representing the "Goodmark line of "Steel Cowl Hoods" being offered for our cars and others.

Sorry about taking over your thread with my car.
OK, now I'm done.



Old 01-20-2017, 08:16 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Originally Posted by Ron U.S.M.C.
Thanks,
Its obvious I am proud of the way it came out.

My hood actually made it into a Magazine called "Hemmings Muscle Machines"
representing the "Goodmark line of "Steel Cowl Hoods" being offered for our cars and others.

Sorry about taking over your thread with my car.
OK, now I'm done.

Hey, it's not hijacking. I asked! Your hood looks super straight. How was it out of the box? Fit well?
Old 01-21-2017, 02:11 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

I actually drove about 2 hours without a hood to pick it up.

It fit really well. No dings or dents. Its a very strong steel and the gauge seems to be decent also.Two of the men at a shop helped bolt it on.
I put a rope on it also from under the front just as a precaution for the ride back.

The only adjustment that needed to be done was to raise the front bumper cover and then lower the front latch by elongating the mounting holes and sliding the latch down a bit to close the front gap.

Its a bit heaver than stock by about 20 lbs but I love it.
Here's one of my favorite photos.
This is a few weeks out of the paint booth.
That's a Custom "Rally Red" with a "Crystal Red Pearl" added.
Red Pearl in the black stripes also.

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 01-21-2017 at 02:22 AM.
Old 01-21-2017, 12:20 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Originally Posted by Ron U.S.M.C.
I actually drove about 2 hours without a hood to pick it up.

It fit really well. No dings or dents. Its a very strong steel and the gauge seems to be decent also.Two of the men at a shop helped bolt it on.
I put a rope on it also from under the front just as a precaution for the ride back.

The only adjustment that needed to be done was to raise the front bumper cover and then lower the front latch by elongating the mounting holes and sliding the latch down a bit to close the front gap.

Its a bit heaver than stock by about 20 lbs but I love it.
Here's one of my favorite photos.
This is a few weeks out of the paint booth.
That's a Custom "Rally Red" with a "Crystal Red Pearl" added.
Red Pearl in the black stripes also.
Your paint and body work is top notch. Might be too stressful for me. Mine is presentable, but not perfect.
Old 01-22-2017, 12:05 AM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

Your car looks great.
Love the stance,color and the wheels.

My paint is over 10 years now so I don't trip on it nearly as much.

Still have to park in "no man land" and since some one "spider webbed" the rear bumper cover in a parking lot a while back I don't get as "UPSET" when some one is 3 inches from my rear at a light like I used to.

Really good talking with you man.

Third Gens Forever ........

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 02-09-2017 at 02:24 AM.
Old 01-22-2017, 05:16 PM
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Re: Hood clearance experiences

[QUOTE=Ron U.S.M.C.;6106779]Your car looks great.
Love the stance,color and the wheels.

My paint is over 10 years now so I don't trip on it nearly as much.

Still have to park in "no man land" and since some one "spider webbed" the rear bumper cover in a parking lot a while back I don't get as "UPSET" when some one is 3 inches from my rear at a light like I used to.

Really good talking with man.

Third Gens Forever ........[/QUOT

Good talking with you!




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