well does it need to be there or can I rip it out.

 

It quiets the engine compartment. But if you don't care, go ahead and take it out. An even better idea would be to find a plastic hood for the car. There are still quite a few available in the boneyard, and that will save you some weight.

 

Some people say its there to fall on your engine in case you have a fire under the hood and others say it keeps the paint on your hood from blistering. Most people who take it out don't have paint problems, but I'd leave it on because it really doesn't bother anything.

 

well mines sagging a bit, so good bye. when you say plastic you mean the formula looking ones right., if so no thanks, I like my vents, in fact I'm going to add a cowl to my hood

 

it's really there for heat issue's and sounds issue's, but i feel it's there for making a mess and getting stuff in your hair when you stand up and hit it with your head. it's also there to add weight and slow the car down.

 

It won't hurt the paint to remove it, while your at it take the seal off the rear of the hood--free cowl effect.

 

And let all that rain water run all over the distributor, coil, fan and fuel relays and the harness that passes throught the firewall?
I'd leave that seal there. The hood insulation now sold as a replacement from GM is a smoother, plastic type. Not that crappy old fiberous stuff that collected tons of dust. You can actually wipe the new one off with a rag.

 

had the seal off for a long time and have not had one single problem with it

 

When i had a moderate engine fire, the insulation kept my hood paint from blistering. And while they didnt melt all the way those plastic supports did buckle, i'd imagine on a bigger fire it would fall on the engine.

 

So just because you didn't have a problem, no one else will? Theirs the sound logic and advice this board needs more of!

 

Actually Rob, i took the rear seal off mine for the hell of it. My observations...

-It definitely vents air at speed. Once at the track i had a basically beat bag of ice so i left it on the plenum under the shut hood (it was pretty well sealed and not full of water, i'm not a moron) Anyhow, by eth etime i was on the big end i could see the faitest water mist around the center of my windsheild. The air going past that wet bag in that cramped space was getting out.

-i checked it for leaks w/ a hose w/ the hood open. The base of the windsheild is an ingenius water channeling system. Just check it out for yourself next time you're washing your car. IMO it would take the most extreme hurricane raisn to even vaguely get into there.

Not that i recomend it, it's a risk. Still, figured i'd add some experience to the discussion.

 

The main reason for the strip along the back of the hood is to prevent engine odors and fumes from being sucked into the fresh air inlet for the heater/A-C/Vent system.


We all like our cars fast,clean and sleek... but let's not overlook the safety and heath issue either! It won't be enjoyable to drive our cars if they reek of engine odors!! Especially for those of you single guys who want to impress the ladies!


Later....
Mike

 

If you run a cowl hood, you risk the same water and venting problems as removing the seal. I removed mine quite a few years ago and I haven't had any problems with fumes or anything. Just idling you can feel alot of hot air coming out from under the back of the hood.

 

No, Chevy put plastic hoods on some 3rd gens to cut down on weight. They look just like a normal hood but don't have the underlining and don't weigh as much as the steel ones.

 

Well, I stand corrected. I always thought it was there to keep water out of the engine bay! I was just worried with the monsoon rains we get in south florida. I was actually thinking of adding another piece on the bottom of the firewall to mate with the top piece, scrap that idea!
p.s. isn't it great when someone on the board can admit they were wrong?

 

I have taken the hood insulation off my IROC as I wanted a little more induction roar It has given it a little more. As far a shelping put fires out, apparantly the plastic clips are supposed to melt off and fall on to the fire and put it out

I am definitely taking my rubber strip off the rear of the hood, sounds like a definite help. On Chrysler Neons it's rated as a 1hp mod. I was worried about the water issue, but again with people talking out of turn and speaking without experience, I was nearly put off, just what we need on this board (only joking Rob

 

Thanks to Rob P for that tip on the newer wipable hood insulation. Is there a specific model year to request or does it cover all third gens.

 

Nitroburn, that's what I was going to say. It's also more of an "odor" issue, though. Say you have a slight exhaust leak- where's that carbon monoxide going to go? Into the vents.. where you breathe it, and get sleepy, sleepy, sleepy.....

My hood insulation's gone, and the paint didn't pop or crack or melt or anything. In fact it looked great, until I stopped washing the car, and NJ's acid rain took over. I think I washed it three times last year- and it hasn't seen soap this year yet, either. The hood paint looks the same as the rest of my paint, if that helps.