Cowl Hood?

[chesspirate]

Has anybody put a Cowl hood on their S-10? I would like to but have my reservations. Does it actually do anything to help keep under hood temps down? Does it improve airflow and thus possibly Mileage? And most importantly, on my first gen with a K&N FIPK, will I now have room to install a throttle body spacer? Thanks everybody.

[OBI WAN]

If its a true cowl with and opening toward the winshield, then BIG time helps the heat under the hood. If its closed off, nope!
Yes you will be able to add the spacer!

[LEADFOOT]

Is that spacer really worth a RA?

[OBI WAN]

On a TBI motor, yes, it does help. Where a spacer does nothing is a dry intake arrangement like the newer ones where the fuel is added just before the head ports. As long as fuel is added before a plenum of and intake, they work!

[LEADFOOT]

So waste of money on my engine? CSFI.

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

You got it, Leadfoot. Put that money towards a set of pulleys, or maybe 1.6 rockers.

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

Just wanted to mention that I run the open-element with a TBI spacer and the Edelbrock intake (a bit taller than the stocker) and got it to fit. I trimmed the underhood insulation and removed the PCV ring (swap the air cleaner stud with one from a TBI Caddilac, and put a filter on the breather tube).

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Has anybody put a Cowl hood on their S-10? I would like to but have my reservations. Does it actually do anything to help keep under hood temps down? Does it improve airflow and thus possibly Mileage? And most importantly, on my first gen with a K&N FIPK, will I now have room to install a throttle body spacer? Thanks everybody.
What year of truck are you looking to do this with? If it is NOT a TBI motor, then a spacer won't do you any good -- but the cowl WILL (provided it is a FUNCTIONAL cowl). A functional cowl will allow cooler air to come into the engine compartment and the hot air to go out of it -- thus reducing underhood temps (and, along with that, intake temps). Always a good investment IF it's functional.

[LEADFOOT]

What will the rockers do for me. I heard that this motor has roller lifters and roller rockers is that right? I was told to put a new cam in it, but then told I would have to get the idle bumped up to do that. I know from checking prices to get it bumped up alittle for the pulleys I have that it isn't cheap. I do have pulleys but took them off cause the A/C doesn't turn as fast and that is needed in fl. P/S pump makes weird noise. W/P doesn't turn as fast therefore at idle with a/c on it gets a little hot. Plus I have elect. fans and the alt. doesn't turn as fast, I only gained about a 1/10 of sec. in the 1/8 mile with the pulleys.

[LEADFOOT]

Also whats an open element?

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

The rockers that are specifically being refered to are higher-ratio rockers. The '02 motors have roller trunion and roller tipped rockers, as well as roller lifters. But, the stock rocker arms are 1.5:1. The upgraded rockers would be the same configuration, but 1.6:1 ratio -- meaning higher lift at the valve -- very similar to a higher lobe on a cam, but with no adverse effect on the idle. Usually good for about 10 hp or so.

An open element filter is for carbed and TBI motors -- instead of the enclosed air-cleaner assembly with a filter inside, the air cleaner assembly itself IS the filter. Think of the old Muscle Cars -- instead of a chrome filter lid, you've got a lid (and the rest of the enclosure as well) that IS the filter.

[PitchBlackBlzr]

**** I learn somthing new every day here..lol...I personally think the cowled hood is a good look for the s dimes in general.

[LEADFOOT]

Thanx for the info. I guess rockers are lot easier to replace than installing a new cam. Looking at all the mods I have done, what do you think JBA ceramic coated headers and custom exhaust would do. Also I see that some have removed the resonator and the cat. Wouldn't that lessen your BP too much?

[PitchBlackBlzr]

Cat's a touchy subject depending on wether or not you have emissions testing in your area....But if you can remove it i think that would help some.

[LEADFOOT]

They did away with emissions testing here a few yrs ago. What about the res.?

[LEADFOOT]

Ahh. To hell with it all. I am just gonna drop in a supercharged 350..........Yeah!!!!!!

[DROPPEDGMC]

Ahh. To hell with it all. I am just gonna drop in a supercharged 350..........Yeah!!!!!!

do it!!:cool:

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

A blown 350 would make you smile. A blown 454 would be even better!

But, to answer your question: headers are one of the better mods you'll ever find. The typical gain you'll find from headers/y-pipe/cat-back will probably be right around 10-15 RWHP or so. The resonator can be easily replaced with a y-pipe. However, DON'T mess with the catalytic converter -- the gain isn't much, and it's more of a pain in the a$$ not having one. You only stand to gain maybe 1-2 hp, if that, by getting rid of the cat, so why bother.

[LEADFOOT]

what does cat-back mean?

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

Cat-back refers to the exhaust system from the catalytic converter rearward (muffler, tailpipes).

[LEADFOOT]

Oh. Duh. That makes sense.

[Krazny]

Heh.
Be interesting to see if a Blown 454 wouild fit . . .
I dunno it it is possible w/o MAJOR surgery tho. . .

But if it is, then I have a use for that 454 I have sitting in the barn. . .

[Mike 92S10]

I just put a cowl hood on my '92. See the gallery for pics. I really like it. An open element is the old style air cleaner you see on carburated engines. You know the round ones that have a filter in the middle like a big oreo cookie. A lot of us older S10 owners put these on our TBI's.

[chesspirate]

Yeah, sorry, my truck is a 1991 with the TBI, so of course i've done my research on the spacers but couldn't get clearance, going to try to cut the damper thingy first to see how much clearance that gives me.

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

You should have plenty of clearance. Cutting the insulation gave me enough with the stock manifold, chrome FIPK, 1" spacer and the PCV ring. You may need to cut a few threads off your hold-down stud. I think I shortened mine by about 1/4" to help the clearance. About 2 min with a Dremel.

[20Xtreme02]

I just installed the Goodmark original style cowl induction hood on my '02 Blazer and am happy with it. :) There is more room under the hood, it does vent hot air out the scoop opening and it gives the truck an aggressive look. My water temperature has been running 5 degrees lower than before. :D

[LEADFOOT]

I just installed the Goodmark original style cowl induction hood on my '02 Blazer and am happy with it. :) There is more room under the hood, it does vent hot air out the scoop opening and it gives the truck an aggressive look. My water temperature has been running 5 degrees lower than before. :D

Cool. I was wanting to find someone that put one of those on the same blazer I have. How does the rain not get in the engine compartment? Does the hood line up good? No big ugly gaps on the sides. Where did you get it? Does it come painted to match the vehicle color? Do you have a pic of your truck up close?

[LEADFOOT]

How much more does a steel hood wiegh than a fiberglass hood? Is fiberglass better than steal? Besides the obvious stuff like steal is stronger tna fg. I see that fg is cheaper. Steal probably looks better huh?

[20Xtreme02]

I did not find anyone that makes a fiberglass Cowl Induction hood for the late model S10, so steel was my only choice. For that reason I can't address weight or price differences. :cool:

I just installed it a week ago and the weather hasn't given me the opportunity to get a picture yet, hope to soon. (If you are despirate for a picture, let me know, I can take one in the rain.) I bought the hood from the Planet store, but they can be found on eBay also. They all come painted black rather than to match your color. The stamping of the hood is good, but not great, it will require a little bodywork before painting. For instance, the left side of the scoop sags like someone pushed down on it or sat on it and one corner of the hood is rolled under slightly. I don't think that happened in shipping because I looked at the hood on another truck and it was the same. I bolted the hood on before painting to make sure it fit and it fits at least as good as the stock hood. There is no adjustment capibility for late model hoods, the gaps are adjusted by moving the fenders. I will need to make some small adjustments to even the gaps, but it's better than I expected. I think the steel hoods are smoother than a fiberglass one, but if you are trying to shave weight from the front of the vehicle, glass would be better.

The opening in the back of the scoop is recessed an inch or so providing an overhang that keeps rain out of the engine compartment. If rain does get in there... it means I'm driving too slow!!

I don't want to scare anyone off becasue this hood is a very cool mod, but it's also very expensive. The hood is 300, shipping is 125, and finishing & painting will cost another 500. :eek: About the price of a nice set of wheels.

[20Xtreme02]

After looking closer at the Cowl Induction hood over the weekend, I noticed two things. One is that there doesn't appear to be any more clearance or increase in room under the new hood. The under-hood supports (braces) don't follow the shape of the scoop so they are in the same location as on the stock hood.

Secondly, I had planned to re-install the insulation once it was painted. I now think that this will block the path for air to exit through (and enter via) the scoop. I'll have to look closer at this but the insulation may remove the functionality of the scoop and make this a looks only mod. I run the Airaid Quick-fit intake so I'm not drawing air from anywhere hear the hood inlet anyway. There is more engine noise without the insulation, especially a whine from the alternator.

[joker2040]

I have a SS Hood!! I like it but I think I would rather have a cowl.

[Mike 92S10]

Your right on all issues. Insulation will block the air flow. And hood supports make it about the same as stock as far as clearance. With a TBI like mine the air flow is a big plus. And I have flowmaster exhaust so noise is also not a problem. Probably about the only plus for you is looks.

[20Xtreme02]

Got my cowl Induction hood painted last week. Had them get the sport mirrors and windshield washer nozzles at the same time. They did a little body work on it where a spot weld showed. Total price for paint, $775.00.

I had some concerns while running the hood unpainted. The scoop looked awful big on such a little truck. I was even considering re-installing the stock hood. But I have wanted a CI hood for so long that I went through with the painting. Now that the hood color doesn't stand out from the truck color, the hump in the hood looks smaller and isn't so overwelming. The painted hood is a little more suttle which is more my style.

The rear of my Quickfit intake is only a couple of inches from where the scoop starts forming so I may be able to duct air from the cowl for the intake.

Here's a couple pictures of it in the garage after installing the underhood lights, the mirrors and washer nozzles.

[Hammer]

that looked really nice under those lights, almost looks like the 95 blue/purple color you could get. the hood looks good. i also like your modified fog lights and clears.

[LEADFOOT]

I just installed the Goodmark original style cowl induction hood on my '02 Blazer and am happy with it. :) There is more room under the hood, it does vent hot air out the scoop opening and it gives the truck an aggressive look. My water temperature has been running 5 degrees lower than before. :D
What is the hieght of that cowl?

[LEADFOOT]

I agree with hammer, it looks real good. I can't wait to get mine. What color does it come in?

[20Xtreme02]

This Goodmark hood came in flat black and its the one with the 2" rise. I'm really pumped about this hood now that its painted! I love it!

[20Xtreme02]

Thanks Hammer. The driving lights are PIAA but were a waste of money. I have aftermarket bulbs in my high-beams that are just as good as the PIAA lights. I should have gotten fog lights instead of driving lights.