Are there any real world benefits of adding a hood scoop?

[GoodSamaritan]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but since I was asking about the effects on the engine, and not discussing looks it fit better here than anywhere else.

I must admit I have thought of ventilating my hood a bit. I figured it will give me a place to mount some gauges, and most importantly help keep the motor cool as well.
I am not expecting any extra power, although I can't imagine the extra cold air would hurt.

I figure anything else is just a bonus.

So for those of you who have done it, was it just for looks or did you gain anything worth mentioning?

[DuceAnAHalf]

mine helped drop coolant and tranny temps by almost 20* because it allows the hot air to escape. also stopped my vapor lock issues

[GoodSamaritan]

Is that on the one in your sig? Also how big would you say the hole is in your hood?

[turbo2256b]

This hood on my 84 had front facing and cowel scoop after some testing usinng duct tape the front facig scoop was blocked in favor of the cowel only for aerodynamic reasons. Also helped with fuel economy and engine cooling

[Pirate]

Two modes of thought:
Depending on how the air flows over the nose of the car, you might do one of the following:

1. Forward-facing air scoop: the air usually flows at least an inch off of the hood (not sure about the aero tragedy that the CV is, if it isn't higher), but you have to have the bottom of the scoop opening at least an inch off of the hood, two would be better, before you had any true ram-air action. The hood scoop on the mustang above was merely for show, as it wasn't high enough to get any real air pushing into the engine compartment. The forward-facing scoop, provided it is high enough, is the best way to force air into an engine.
2. Cowl induction: Depending on how it is set up, cowl induction 'scoops' don't ram air into the engine/engine compartment, instead, it uses the high-atmospheric pressure area at the base of the windshield to push it in. Less air being pushed in obviously, but it still works. The additional benefit is that at low speeds, unless the cowl opening is sealed to the carb, the cowl opening is an excellent way to vent underhood air.

[packman]

I was thinking of going this route with my ma's CV if I chose to go with the BBK SSI series intake. It looks like the manifold would produce good low end to mid-range torque. However, it also looks like it would sit rather high. I have a plastic cowl induction scoop from some place, but I never installed it on the Malibu. Perhaps I will install it on a donor car's hood.


Packman

[phayzer5]

I need some cowl action. Once the car is up to operating temp, i cant touch a piece of metal under my hood without getting scorched

[Spaz]

phayzer, its too bad you dont have a mark VI since they came with fender louvers although i'd bet they wouldnt do much the way theyre set up. Hows the 408 running?

[phayzer5]

I hate the gilled fenders Its runnign good. It still needs some tuning, i was thinking on my way home from work to check on some prices for a wideband setup

[DuceAnAHalf]

Is that on the one in your sig? Also how big would you say the hole is in your hood?

yes, i cut as much as i could, except across the back i left the support brace fully intact.

here you can see how much was removed.

[Archangel]

I got the forward-facing scoop, it does exactly nothing for EFI cars, but it does help lower underhood temperature - haven't taken an IR-gun to it before and after, but before it I had Justin's problem, now I can actually touch the damn intake and not leave skin on it. Also helps rainwater get all over engine, which in my case causes the IAC valve to stick open and car to not idle down - pulled harness of IAC valve, smacked valve around with a hammer, opened the idle screw a bit, problem solved. To be on the safe side I also made a splash shield for the alternator, and I have the boot over the dizzy too, dunno if there's actual need for those or not.