Hood questions

[2gBoostin]

Looking at getting a different hood for my car. The one I'm looking at has vents, but unless I'm looking at it wrong, if I drive in the rain I might as well not have a hood.

Never have messed with an aftermarket hood, so I'm just wondering what I can do to keep the rain out and air coming in (if anything)?

Thanks!!

 

[ktgurl87]

Unless you are driving in an absolute downpour, you driving the car should keep most of the rain out. If you have to stop, I wouldn't worry too much about the vent over the turbo, because that joker is going to be so hot, its gonna turn into steam. But I would be concerned about the one on the right (drivers) side of the hood because that's where your alternator and such is. You could just not drove it on rainy days...or find one with smaller vents?

 

[2gBoostin]

There actually is a different hood or two I've been looking at. I liked this particular hood more, but considering my initial concerns and the points you brought up, I may go with a different hood unless I can find a way to divert the rain.

I also do not have a garage to keep my car in and its my daily.

Anyway, thanks for the reply. If anyone has suggestions about diverting the water away, feel free to share!

 

[98pandaspyder]

I had one of these same exact hoods a few years ago. I had no issue with rain but do keep it waxed often. Helps with beading up the water and protects the hood. They need it. I usually wax mine once a month.

 

[TSiAWD666]

So I had a similar problem when moving to my current hood. Here's a picture of the hood:

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I didn't want water pouring into the spark plug area, especially since I have exposed coil-on-plugs. I needed an air gap though so the COP didn't overheat (per Sparktech). So this is what I came up with:

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This was done with some threaded standoffs that screw into the valve cover, holding the COP in place, and allowing me to screw into to hold the cover plate in place.

I haven't been in a complete downpour yet but I have been in rain and it's done the trick perfectly.

 

[2gBoostin]

Tsiawd666, your car is one of the hottest DSMs I've ever seen. I like what you did for diverting the water. I was thinking about just getting a regular spark plug cover and "waterproofing" it the best I could. I would definitely need a air filter cover and probably the exhaust heat shield. Very good idea though.

 

[TSiAWD666]

The exhaust heat shield was for shielding heat. Otherwise you really don't need it in regards to water. I personally will never run without one since they heat the surrounding area so much.

The air filter cover just came with the Apex-i power intake so I used it. Honestly probably doesn't do much I don't think with the any hoods you'd need anything there for water protection.

You could try to seal up the plastic cover. My concern there is that how would you seal up where the plug wires exit? Water could get there and then under the cover, and eventually down into plug wells. Something to think about.

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[this_tsi_8urV8]

^^^TSi, did you make the exhaust shield/cover?
And what manifold do you have under it?

 

[TSiAWD666]

No I had a local fab shop make it. It's a good shield I think, made of stainless steel and covers not only the top and sides, but as much of the underside as possible. There's a bracket that mounts to the two middle upper studs from the head, held by the OEM nuts, that comes out and upwards with a flat flange which the heat shield rests on and bolts into. Oddly I've never remembered to take a picture of it, but it's nothing terribly remarkable.

It's an FP Race manifold. Will probably change to a tubular with the next turbo upgrade.

 

[this_tsi_8urV8]

Are you planning on changin turbo setup soon?
If so, I get 1st crack at the shield!

 

[re-rx7]

Love that hood TsiAwd. Custom? Whats it based off of?

 

[KewlWinter]

+1 on that hood TSiAWD666. I also would like to know where you sourced that hood.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Most of you probably cannot afford that hood..What did they make like 10 of those, at a very nice price..

 

[snowborder714]

4-5 sets of the full aero kit. That'd be the only way to get the hood as production of it to work on a stocky body (i.e. without the kit's front bumper and fenders) never amounted to anything. I was hopeful to see it be produced and heard it was nearing completion, but have asked the designer of the kit and he said that most likely won't be finished and made.

 

[Bud92gsx]

They did a group buy on it last year didn't they..But it was not cheap by any means.

It was very limited production.But is really sick looking.The trophy is proof enough.