Custom TRD hood questions/advice/help...

[s15lara]

Hey guys, I have pretty much been non-existent here for quite some time now (although I do check in periodically to see whats new) and I have been having a problem with my hood. A few yrs ago when I was working on my car I decided that it would look bad ass if I custom made a TRD hood, so I did. The only problem is that now I cant take the car out in the rain (although I never really do) and am constantly having to check the weather forecast to make sure its not gonna rain (and we all know just how reliable they are). So I decided to do something about it, and I have searched and searched here, but I did not find anyone to have a similar problem or hood for that matter. So my question is this: what should I do to cover up the holes (yet still be clear so you can see the engine bay)? Keep in mind that I used the OEM hood, just cut the holes out to make it look TRD. Also, if possible, something that I could take off when I know its not gonna rain, and if for some reason it starts to rain I could just put it on within a few min.

I was thinking of some sort of hi temp Plexi-glass. I dont know...I'm completely clueless right now so I'm turning to you guys for help. My car has been hibernating all winter and I'm just now getting her prepped so I can start taking her out, but dont want to deal with the worry of it raining.

Pic of inside of hood. Youll notice I cut the frame of the hood.


Hood closed


Any ideas????

[bigbirdSCed]

the only thing you would want to do is make a rain channel but with holes that big....not a chance. a new hood is the only thing i can think of.

but looks pretty cool though

[(K)]

I think you have a good idea already. There's really not much else you can do if you want the engine bay to be seen. Just cover it with some clear acrylic or something from the underside.

Though if you went a different route you can try these:

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?s=65153ebdf5eed423d34fd86abce29b62&showtopic=61871&st=0&p=709946&#entry709946

http://www.negative-camber.org/crispyrx7/extras.htm

You could probably make a mold and vacu-form a very functional one that collects and drains out to a safe spot in the bay like that GT-Four hood. Something similar in design to a sink basin.

You'll probably lose all venting characteristics of your custom hood once you cover up those vents but it won't do any more harm than your stock hood.

[(K)]

You know what. On second thought, even if you made a rain vent you'd still lose the heat venting function and the ability to see into your engine bay. Except now you'll be draining out water which could probably be kept out anyway if you just covered the vents completely with clear acrylic.

Forget I said anything.

[~SolaRaSpeed~]

I agree use mesh and acrylic under that (i.e. the rx-7 hood above) and I think you'll be set. Keep up the good work.

[kingkakyle]

could do something like the ZR1? corvette
they have some kind of plastic cover over the engine so that you could see the engine
if you watch top gear its the episode where they go to the bonneville salt flats

[Dawgz]

plexiglass will melt....u want Lexan sheets, which are essentially plexi glass but ALOT thicker, and they can hold up ALOT of heat.


Lexan, is also what the ZR1 hood has.

[nemoxfishy]

An aluminum mesh and some hi temp Plexi-glass or Lexan sheets will be your best choice imo.
I was thinking of doing something like this too but i got nothing to showoff under my hood... =[

You can also use some magnets to stick them on so you can take them off whenever you want. Might sound cheesy but there are some VERY VERY strong magnets out there!

[jetbtkng]

just buy a corbon fiber hood, os fiberglass hood for winter, problem solved..............

[D-money]

go hi tech install some actuators and some sliders for lexan sheets you can open and close on demand big pimpin.Frank why is your pic upside down

[bigbirdSCed]

my question is, did you do this so people could see the motor or to vent the engine bay...or both?

[s15lara]

my question is, did you do this so people could see the motor or to vent the engine bay...or both?

I did this for a couple of reasons: first because I wanted to vent the engine bay, and secondly, I like the way the TRD hood looks.

~SolaRaSpeed~
PostPosted: Mon May 18, 2009 7:52 am Post subject:
I agree use mesh and acrylic under that (i.e. the rx-7 hood above) and I think you'll be set. Keep up the good work.

Thats what I was thinking as well but how would I put it on there? what would I use to make it stay in place? I was hoping something that would not be permanent because I want to be able to take it off on a hot summers day and put it on at the first sign of rain.

anymore Ideas? so far everything you guys are telling me is great, just a few more ideas on how to put the lexan sheets and keep them in place without it being so permanent.

[jetbtkng]

go hi tech install some actuators and some sliders for lexan sheets you can open and close on demand big pimpin.Frank why is your pic upside down

because when i 1st joined they bitched about my pic being to big, so i shrunk it and it ended up upside dowm, so i said phuck it, they wont bitch any more about it being to big, but now cause its upside down i get asked what u asked, thats my story and im sticking with it......................

[gnegroni]

go hi tech install some actuators and some sliders for lexan sheets you can open and close on demand big pimpin.Frank why is your pic upside down

because when i 1st joined they bitched about my pic being to big, so i shrunk it and it ended up upside dowm, so i said phuck it, they wont bitch any more about it being to big, but now cause its upside down i get asked what u asked, thats my story and im sticking with it......................

Now I don't have to ask...LOL

[D-money]

LOL!!!!!