Hey guys,
I'm newer to the Forums, I do have a question for the third gen community. I have a 87 Formula 350 TPI, and I absolutely hate the "fake" hood scoop. I know based on some research that some of the earlier models (83, 84) cars had the option of the H.O motor. Which basically just means the cowl induction is functional. So, with this being said I want to make mine functional, my First question is there an immediate draw back to doing this? Secondly will I inadvertently trip any air sensor or anything of the sort (make the car run worse). Now I do live in the upper east coast in PA rains and winters are of a concern (No I don't drive this in the wintertime). I don't know if that will help out or not. There are a few reasons I'm looking to do this, 1. want to keep the engine bay a little cooler while driving. 2. Eventually I do want to add a "cold" air intake. 3. It just bothers the living hell out of me seeing a blank slit where the cowl is. From the research I have conducted there isn't much on doing this with the 350 TPI (I know its fuel injected, not looking for crazy performance increase just want the motor to run cooler and more efficiently, and I'd like to know of any potential draw backs). I was looking just to swap out the blank slit for a opened honeycomb grille in its place. Thank you guys for any information.

 

How are you going to get the cold air from the back of the hood to the maf at the front of the engine?

 

You'll have to build a sealed (to hood opening) air filter box that allows the hood to open, then duct it to the maf sensor

 

Get a FIRST and use the left side throttle body location...fab an air box above the left valve cover. Duct it to the cowl inlet. :thumbs:

I had an '83 which had the functional cowl hood. It worked. I liked it.

 

Assemble an intake based upon the premise of this one for the 96-97 Camaro SS. Use aluminum/plastic/vinyl tubing, with the upper most tube near the cowl screen. I don't think any kind of seal would be necessary, but one could probably be made, if so desired.



Appearance wise, that big ole air filter hosing on top of the 4thgen LT1 is fine because there's nothing particularly attractive or special about the LT1 intake. TPI, however, is very attractive and an important part of the 3rdgen heritage, in IMO, so using tubing would place it more toward the rear over distributor cover and wouldn't hide the design of the TPI intake.

Cut one side out of the length of that upper most tube where it sits along the cowl screen. Incorporate a MAF, if MAF. And Spectre offers inline air filters that can be incorporated. I saved some images, but they're not uploading for some reason, but a web search will show several different types and sizes.

 

It wont be worth the bother. Opening up the cowl will let hot air out at low speeds but trying to route cold air to the TPI system isnt going to be a pretty sight and for what gain? I had the open cowl and the old style airbox with the donut air cleaner lid on mine once and it made no measurable difference that i could tell. I took it off because it was ugly but left the cowl open.

 

I just bought one of the grilles for the older models (they are on ebay in I think a few differetn patters) and left it open... the best it will do is help let hot air escape from the engine compartment.


In order to make it functional, you will need to do a LOT of fabrication for duct work / to the unit itself...even then I personally can't find a way to make it work for TPI....... itd be worth it if you had TBI... but not for TPI.

 

Right, that's what I'm looking for is to allow the hotter air to escape the engine compartment, thus allowing the air surrounding the motor to be cooler. I was just curious is the cowl induction over any important wiring or components that rain could possibly ruin. I live by the great lakes and rain is a big factor.

 

Ok, if that's all you're wanting to do, then you'll need to track down the parts for a functional 82-84 hood. You'll need the grill/screen to replace the flat plate in your hood. And there's a drip tray that's also one of the parts. It attaches to the same screws that attach the screen/plate. It catches water and funnels it off to the driver's side of the engine. If you don't have any junkyards nearby, then check vendors, forums and classifieds for used parts.

It will definitely relieve the heat from under the hood. Your first post sounded like you wanted to make a cold air intake that uses that opening.

 

Lots of rain here down south also but Ive never had any trouble with rain getting in mine.

 

Same. New England, lots of rain, snow, I had mine wired open all the time. Never had an issue, and let me tell you...with that thing open? My cah pulled like a *****!!!

 

I had never heard of water getting in to bad either but a couple years ago my friend has his outside. It rained overnight, loaded the top of the engine with water and actually filled a couple cylinders with water. I was beyond shocked. It had to have gotten through the gaskets or intake to head bolts. Never seen or heard of it happening but maybe that's why GM put a small drain tray in with the factory fresh air setups.

 

@dmccain - I have a real quick question for you, did your car have the fiber glass lining under the hood? Mine does and I was thinking of cutting the fiber glass around the cowl. (At the moment I can't see the cowl scoop at all cause of the lining) Or do you think I should just remove it from the hood all together? Trying to keep the car original but at the same time make small upgrades to help it run more efficiently and obviously cut down on heat around the motor.

 

Another approach would be to allow the hot air from the engine compartment to escape to the underside of the vehicle. There is a lot more open area there compared to a slot at the cowl/windshield. The key is getting the air to force through the radiator (on a Firebird) and keeping the inlet slipstream separated from the underside of the vehicle.

 

It did have the underhood insulation at first and it was molded to fit the cowl, yes it let air in. That's your call in the insulation... I don't have any and no problems here but some say it protects the paint from extreme heat...I don't put a lot of miles on my car so I can't be certain either way.