Hood Mods? I may have over did it with the engine (see pics)...
#22
I will try to post more pics tomorrow, Thats the only one I had downloaded to the forum site. I know the wheels are American racing, but I'm not sure what model they are. I'm putting a new paint job on it(that one in just horrible) Going to spray the first coat of primer tomorrow. It will be Triple deep black with a candy red motion stripe down the middle. I left the body mods for now as I have a 68 sb that I'm in the middle of restoring, and I don't have time to really dive into this one.
#24
Burning Brakes
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Round Rock Texas
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the RPM AirGap and a 1" spacer. I bought the two inch high Holley oval air cleaner and it sits down fine with the stock hood. I actually have a BG Speed Demon on it ( Holley lookalike).
#25
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 1999
Location: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Posts: 16,975
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Why don't you do this: Buy some chassis dyno time and pull some runs with and without the spacer. You will know what HP increase there is and then make the decision on the hood....another thing, get a drop down base, that is imperative if you want everything to fit under a stock or L-88 hood.
#26
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 1999
Location: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Posts: 10,642
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Since you have an air cleaner with a top side filter element, the normal cylindrical filter itself doesn't need to be more than an inch tall.
Now it will fit under an L-88 hood. There you go...
Now it will fit under an L-88 hood. There you go...
#27
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Europe, France
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want to keep your carb spacer, air cleaner base and filter element, a fiberglass hood scoop would allow you to keep your stock hood.
But a one inch or more drop base could help without hurting performance...
I was thinking to something like this, but many others are available if you don't like this one... and cheaper than a complete hood.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...2/?image=large
But a one inch or more drop base could help without hurting performance...
I was thinking to something like this, but many others are available if you don't like this one... and cheaper than a complete hood.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...2/?image=large
#30
Le Mans Master
Carb spacers and tall air filter elements are pretty common on performance engine builds these days (look at the Engine Master's/Jeg's Challenge). I know that there is some dyno data that shows real improvements on high perfomance builds using carb spacers, etc. I don't know if there is much data to show significant improvements on more streetable engines. I assume that you have certain performance goals in mind for YOUR motor and that's why you need some help.
Obviously, it would be easier to eliminate the carb spacer, use a drop base air cleaner and use a more narrow air filter element. However, if this solution doesn't meet YOUR perfomance goals for YOUR motor, then I would suggest looking at the aftermarket fiberglass hoods with the 4"-5" raised cowls. There are several cars on the forum that have these installed - can't think of the members right now.
Obviously, it would be easier to eliminate the carb spacer, use a drop base air cleaner and use a more narrow air filter element. However, if this solution doesn't meet YOUR perfomance goals for YOUR motor, then I would suggest looking at the aftermarket fiberglass hoods with the 4"-5" raised cowls. There are several cars on the forum that have these installed - can't think of the members right now.
In fact, I've seen data that shows carb spacers hurt performance. My opinion is they are generally a band-aid for a poor intake manifold selection. As mentioned above, only a dyno will tell. Remember - mags have a bias to promote their advertizers parts!
Last edited by Ben Lurkin; 08-04-2009 at 10:08 PM.
#31
Racer
Member Since: Apr 2006
Location: Marietta Georgia
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think that the spacers really only have benefits on high perfomance builds, barely streetable and track only stuff. Dyno time is always a good thing and he will definitely know if it makes a difference on his build. Remember that there are many different "recipes" for getting power out of sbc motors. A whole industry has thrived on all the different variations for 50 years and hundreds of versions have been tested in magazines and garages alike. Your idea on getting 400 or 500 hp may be different from the next guy's, but in the end you may both end up in the same place. That's what makes this fun!
BTW - I am a "fit it all under the stock hood" guy.
Last edited by gatorbcn; 08-05-2009 at 11:40 AM.
#33
Burning Brakes
I am running an RPM airgap with a spacer without any issues under an L88 hood....
Just a point to consider though..... If you do a lot of driving on the street and through the country-side....
The L88 hood significantly cuts forward vision when you are comfortably sitting back in your seat, especially under accelleration when the nose soars upwards.
A taller hood than an L88 style would make visibility an even bigger issue... unless you're a lanky yank and have a Dan Gurney style bubble to prop your head through!
Just a point to consider though..... If you do a lot of driving on the street and through the country-side....
The L88 hood significantly cuts forward vision when you are comfortably sitting back in your seat, especially under accelleration when the nose soars upwards.
A taller hood than an L88 style would make visibility an even bigger issue... unless you're a lanky yank and have a Dan Gurney style bubble to prop your head through!
#34
Racer
Member Since: Dec 2008
Location: Toms River NJ
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got the same problem, and I'm going the custom route. I decided I liked the mustang Boss style scoop, so I picked one up and I am in the process of converting it into a shaker hood scoop. I'd post pics but I havent finished it yet.
It really depends how you want it to look/function, and what you want to spend to get there. All these pics are great and will hopefully give you an idea of what you want to do. Let us know when you figure it out!
It really depends how you want it to look/function, and what you want to spend to get there. All these pics are great and will hopefully give you an idea of what you want to do. Let us know when you figure it out!
#35
Safety Car
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Posts: 3,932
Received 543 Likes
on
198 Posts
Here is some more unwanted criticism. Gingerbreadman, please help 7t2Vette with a new avatar. Pretty please? Hey, I was being nice. Geese.
I like high rise hoods, but I didn't know they would be a huge vision obstruction. Something else to consider.
Bee Jay
I like high rise hoods, but I didn't know they would be a huge vision obstruction. Something else to consider.
Bee Jay
#36
Le Mans Master
I think that the spacers really only have benefits on high perfomance builds, barely streetable and track only stuff. Dyno time is always a good thing and he will definitely know if it makes a difference on his build. Remember that there are many different "recipes" for getting power out of sbc motors. A whole industry has thrived on all the different variations for 50 years and hundreds of versions have been tested in magazines and garages alike. Your idea on getting 400 or 500 hp may be different from the next guy's, but in the end you may both end up in the same place. That's what makes this fun!
BTW - I am a "fit it all under the stock hood" guy.
BTW - I am a "fit it all under the stock hood" guy.
#40
Melting Slicks
So my suggestion is to get an L-88 hood and then an air cleaner that will fit. Drop base AC's don't rob your power.
-W