ZL1 Hood extractor install

[Barnald]

I searched pretty well (I think) and can’t exactly find what I’m asking. But I’m wanting to install a 2012ish ZL1 heat extractor on my 2010 like ones on EBay or other parts places. What I need to know is what all is involved? I really love the look it and in desperate need of heat extracting.

Will it fit? (With a Whipple)
Is installation pretty straight forward?
Are there any tricky obstacles?
Etc, etc.

****Opinions and snarky remarks welcome.****

Fire away!

[el ess A]

Not really understanding the request.

If you have the whipple that comes straight out the front with the air intake IIRC, I'm not sure the clearance is there for the vents on the extractor. It MIGHT clear, but not sure.

If you're discussing the kits that mount on top of the non-ZL1 hood where you have to cut a hole in your existing hood, that's what you will need to do. A few have done it. I'm not exactly sure I'd have the skill or patience to do it. Probably not as bad as it seems, but I'm not a fan of permanent holes in the sheetmetal that wasn't there to begin with.

Also, water drainage would need to be addressed. The ZL1 has a "gutter tray" of sorts just behind the radiator that catches water and diverts it away from the engine components. Not sure if any aftermarket kit comes with that. Aftermarket kits may have that addressed in a different method, but not sure of that.

The only real way I would ever do that is find a real GM ZL1 hood and a real GM insert and go that route. But that's just me.

Good luck on the project, if you decide to move forward on it.

[Barnald]

Originally Posted by el ess A

Not really understanding the request.

If you have the whipple that comes straight out the front with the air intake IIRC, I'm not sure the clearance is there for the vents on the extractor. It MIGHT clear, but not sure.

If you're discussing the kits that mount on top of the non-ZL1 hood where you have to cut a hole in your existing hood, that's what you will need to do. A few have done it. I'm not exactly sure I'd have the skill or patience to do it. Probably not as bad as it seems, but I'm not a fan of permanent holes in the sheetmetal that wasn't there to begin with.

Also, water drainage would need to be addressed. The ZL1 has a "gutter tray" of sorts just behind the radiator that catches water and diverts it away from the engine components. Not sure if any aftermarket kit comes with that. Aftermarket kits may have that addressed in a different method, but not sure of that.

The only real way I would ever do that is find a real GM ZL1 hood and a real GM insert and go that route. But that's just me.

Good luck on the project, if you decide to move forward on it.

That’s great information! I finally found a video of an install, but it’s so strait forward and looks so easy ot seems like one of those too good to be true things, and it just might be that easy but I’ll not be jumping in until I have a plethora of information.

I’m wondering does the drip pan hinder the heat extraction?

[0stones0]

Cut my drip pan to allow more air out and still keep it dry in the engine compartment.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by Barnald

That’s great information! I finally found a video of an install, but it’s so strait forward and looks so easy ot seems like one of those too good to be true things, and it just might be that easy but I’ll not be jumping in until I have a plethora of information.

I’m wondering does the drip pan hinder the heat extraction?

Yes, all the factory rain trays somewhat keep the heat extraction from being efficient, especially the rain trays in the SS 1LE/Z28 models. I removed mine altogether (used Z28 hood), and even when washing the car, it’s not too bad with what water, etc. gets into the hood vents, right by the intake manifold/throttle body area.

The factory ZL1 hood looks like it’s restrictive with the rain tray, but it has more of a “fixed” style guard for the hood vents. People usually dremel or use a cutting wheel to cut out what section(s) that they desire. I’m not sure how easy it would be to modify a regular SS model hood, to be able to fit a ZL1 style hood vent… It might be better to just find a used hood, in this case.

[spyderbuddy]

Don't do an ebay ZL1,They are trash, wish i'd never done it. just buy a Hood with vents already made into it

[Barnald]

Originally Posted by spyderbuddy

Don't do an ebay ZL1,They are trash, wish i'd never done it. just buy a Hood with vents already made into it

This^

[Barnald]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

Yes, all the factory rain trays somewhat keep the heat extraction from being efficient, especially the rain trays in the SS 1LE/Z28 models. I removed mine altogether (used Z28 hood), and even when washing the car, it’s not too bad with what water, etc. gets into the hood vents, right by the intake manifold/throttle body area.

The factory ZL1 hood looks like it’s restrictive with the rain tray, but it has more of a “fixed” style guard for the hood vents. People usually dremel or use a cutting wheel to cut out what section(s) that they desire. I’m not sure how easy it would be to modify a regular SS model hood, to be able to fit a ZL1 style hood vent… It might be better to just find a used hood, in this case.

Turns out an insert would fit perfectly with no problems. However, the entire rain tray install makes me scratch my head about it lowering the efficiency of the extractor. I actually need the thing to extract heat, not just for looks and BTW I love the way the ZL1 extractor looks. I’d imagine any heat extraction mod on the hood would likely need a rain catcher/diverter. In my head I’m thinking it’s like this. Some engineers at GM got together and said, hey let’s put a hole in the hood so heat can escape and then plug it up! Having said that mine is not DD so that’s my “solution” per se.