Heat Extraction Hood - Any Benefit for KB SC or motor reliability?

[usmcjlp]

I will be installing a Kenne Bell 2.8L supercharger. It just so happens that my Camaro will be going to the body shop after road debris damage. The front fascia will have to be replaced and the hood will have to be repainted. Since the insurance is already paying to have the entire front end redone, I am considering purchasing the V6 fascia instead (to eliminate the double slot look) and buying one of these two hoods:

http://www.pfyc.com/pc/SC1210/CAEXT/...10+Camaro.html

http://www.sicmsp.com/shop/part?part_id=159

I am not a 100% sold on either look. I like the stock lines of the car. This car is my daily driver and I have never sold a vehicle with less than 175,000 miles on it.

My question is, with all the talk of inlet air temps and early detonation, will a functional ram air hood have a performance and longevity effect on the motor?


Especially if I intend to mod more in the future or raise the boost. Is it worth the $600-$700 cost of these hoods or am I wasting my money?

[67motorcat]

Anything one can do to lower underhood temps can only have a positive effect overall on all underhood components.

If you like the look,I'd go for it.

[speedster]

Originally Posted by 67motorcat

Anything one can do to lower underhood temps can only have a positive effect overall on all underhood components.

If you like the look,I'd go for it.

Agreed. I had to get a heat extractor hood for the SST. I consider it a necessity. More horsepower = More heat. It has to go somewhere. I chose one (Seibon TS) where the extraction was directly over the largest source - the turbos/headers.

Another choice you may consider (but only if you like the style) is one like ACS Composite which has an interchangeable center piece right over the blower. This may help lower heat soak. The only reason I bring this up is that of the two hoods you listed, IMO the first one will not extract any appreciable heat. The rear facing "vents" are open to the base of the windshield which is a high pressure are to get air from, not extract to. The second one you listed does have extractors in locations that should be functional. Just my <.02.

Here is what the ACS looks like for reference:

[axis]

It would be a nice change from a esthetics point of view but you won't gain much if any performance from it. PD SC's cool their charge air from a air/water intercooler off the front of the car. Not sure how much cooler you're going to get your IAT's with heat extractor hood vents but I doubt it would be much. I haven't heard much on heatsoaking issues on the Camaro with the KB. The KB intake positions the intake filter in the space below the OEM site so it wouldn't help much with that either.

[speedster]

Originally Posted by axis

It would be a nice change from a esthetics point of view but you won't gain much if any performance from it. PD SC's cool their charge air from a air/water intercooler off the front of the car. Not sure how much cooler you're going to get your IAT's with heat extractor hood vents but I doubt it would be much. I haven't heard much on heatsoaking issues on the Camaro with the KB. The KB intake positions the intake filter in the space below the OEM site so it wouldn't help much with that either.

I agree with you about not affecting IAT's much. If he was wondering about reliability versus performance. e.g A heat soak type issue then heat extraction can help lower the case/component temperature.

[usmcjlp]

Speedster,

You're right. I know it won't necessarily get me more HP, but if it lowers the engine bay temp, then that has to be a good thing.

It's funny you say that this one won't extract much air:

http://www.pfyc.com/pc/SC1210/CAEXT/...10+Camaro.html

From the under hood picture, it looks like the front vent is directly in front of the rear vents. My logic was that this would create air flow across the top of the engine that would remove hot air as it rises. Does that not make sense? Will the high pressure air flow at the base of the windshield prevent this from happening?

[speedster]

Originally Posted by usmcjlp

Speedster,

You're right. I know it won't necessarily get me more HP, but if it lowers the engine bay temp, then that has to be a good thing.

It's funny you say that this one won't extract much air:

http://www.pfyc.com/pc/SC1210/CAEXT/...10+Camaro.html

I am not saying that it won't, but physics says it may not. You may want to ask the hood mfg. how they designed it. I am sure they know what they wanted and probably did some testing to that effect.

Sounds funny, but on an older car we did a "smoke" test and found that the heated engine compartment air was coming OUT the front opening on a hood with a forward facing scoop. A lot of air pressure can build up between the radiator and the engine/engine compartment.

From the under hood picture, it looks like the front vent is directly in front of the rear vents. My logic was that this would create air flow across the top of the engine that would remove hot air as it rises. Does that not make sense? Will the high pressure air flow at the base of the windshield prevent this from happening?

Without wind testing the actual hood it is hard to tell. You would think air would just flow through but the location of that front opening has historically been lower pressure and the rear cowl is right where the high pressure and vorticies lie. So it may do some extraction, just not how you would think.

Now a lot of these hood are set up with a sealed enclosure so that the engine will pull the colder outside air in but that is actually the engine vacuum helping do the work.

Just some things to consider.

Remember, it is completely up to what your tastes and wants are.

[Mcnhammer]

I like the look (see pics.). I'm fabricating a box to isolate the intake to my S/C to pull air from one of the heat extractors on my hood. Something like the cold air system being sold for the camaro's.
I'm running a Aquamist meth. system to keep IAT down which in turn maintains a cooler overall engine.

[speedster]

Very cool hood...

[Z_Rocks]

What you gain from these hoods, is that you're reducing the head unit outer temperature which is important. Plus less heat in engine bay, is always better for the electric wires.
Another point is that, when you shut off the engine, all the heat is trapped under the hood for hours. With the ACS hood, it moves out quickly. So, you're getting two benefits.
I like the ACS hood the best! Good luck and once it's done, Pics, Pics, Pics!

[usmcjlp]

I may have found a new hood. What do you think of this one?

http://suncoastramairhoods.com/new-p...ood-21018.html

Does anyone know much about Sun coast? Are they good quality?

I am considering buying the V-6 fascia and installing the hood so there is only one vent on the front of the vehicle, a functional one. It has to be replaced due to road damage anyway. How do you guys think this will look?

I kind of hate to get rid of the only distinguishing feature between the V-8 and V-6 on the car.

[Z_Rocks]

Originally Posted by usmcjlp

I may have found a new hood. What do you think of this one?

http://suncoastramairhoods.com/new-p...ood-21018.html

Does anyone know much about Sun coast? Are they good quality?

I am considering buying the V-6 fascia and installing the hood so there is only one vent on the front of the vehicle, a functional one. It has to be replaced due to road damage anyway. How do you guys think this will look?

I kind of hate to get rid of the only distinguishing feature between the V-8 and V-6 on the car.

I don't care for this. It's bit too big! Do a bit more research. The ACS looks the best so far!

[ACS Composite]

We have had customer witness a quite a few degrees of drop with the extractor insert, also consider this is a modular hood.... a window can be kept in the trunk and swapped out in minutes for shows....

Originally Posted by Z_Rocks

What you gain from these hoods, is that you're reducing the head unit outer temperature which is important. Plus less heat in engine bay, is always better for the electric wires.
Another point is that, when you shut off the engine, all the heat is trapped under the hood for hours. With the ACS hood, it moves out quickly. So, you're getting two benefits.
I like the ACS hood the best! Good luck and once it's done, Pics, Pics, Pics!

[Ringo]

The ACS hood hands down. Especially with the clear window and a sc.