Ram Air Hoods

[442MUCH]

These ram air hoods that I'm seeing on our cars, you know the one's that look like the 1970-72 W30 hoods. What do they look like from the underside? Can they be made to actually function? Also who makes them and does anyone know the approx. $$$? Thanks.

[sledhead2]

underside is ruff texture. hood are 3 piece's glued together, top part with scoops, then the bottom outer frame, then last part is air box. the scoops are straight ram air. it sucks in rain, air, bugs, they work.

VFN makes them http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/

price is about 700.00 U.S. for hood plus shipping. my shipping cost about 100

They offer a discount if you buy as a group.

[442MUCH]

underside is ruff texture. hood are 3 piece's glued together, top part with scoops, then the bottom outer frame, then last part is air box. the scoops are straight ram air. it sucks in rain, air, bugs, they work.

VFN makes them http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/

price is about 700.00 U.S. for hood plus shipping. my shipping cost about 100

They offer a discount if you buy as a group.

Cool. I am thinking about it. At first I wasn't sure if I liked them or not. But after seeing them on different cars and at different angles, I think they look pretty cool.

Thanks for the info Dave.

[ragz442]

Ken, The first one I've seen in person is Daves. It looks better than any pic I've seen on the computer. He and the painter did a really nice job.

[zodiacblue442]

These ram air hoods that I'm seeing on our cars, you know the one's that look like the 1970-73 W30 hoods. What do they look like from the underside? Can they be made to actually function? Also who makes them and does anyone know the approx. $$$? Thanks.

Ken - A couple weeks ago, I sent VFN Fiberglass an email asking a bunch of questions. They replied and gave me alot of info. about the ram air hoods. I can forward you the email if you would like. They sound like nice hoods. VFN makes them in pin on and bolt on versions for both `73-`75 Cutlass and `76-`77 Cutlass. A pin on ram air hood will be ordered for DONUTRUN later this week. :D

[442MUCH]

Ken - A couple weeks ago, I sent VFN Fiberglass an email asking a bunch of questions. They replied and gave me alot of info. about the ram air hoods. I can forward you the email if you would like. They sound like nice hoods. VFN makes them in pin on and bolt on versions for both `73-`75 Cutlass and `76-`77 Cutlass. A pin on ram air hood will be ordered for DONUTRUN later this week. :D

Hey Gary, that would be great! Thanks for that. I like the idea that I can put a hood like this on the car without cutting or modifying it. You still have my email I presume.

If I get this hood, I'll get the 70 W30 air element and make the whole thing functional.

[73431Cutlass]

I am game too if there is a group purchase... My 73 would look nice with that hood! Better start saving for this one, just spent my extra $$$$ on a serpentine belt system today.... My my so many parts so little $$...

[442MUCH]

Dave,

Did you have to get different springs for the hinges because the ram air hood is lighter? I was thinking that if the hood bolts up and you go to close it with the stock springs,(or some mechanic does it) you could possibly crack the fiberglas hood as the springs are made for a heavier piece. Is that true?

[sledhead2]

yes you need different springs, I will give more info later on little things done for fit, At work right now.

[442MUCH]

Well I did it. I bit the bullet. I ordered my ram air hood today. Then to top it off I gave California a call (Original Parts Group) and ordered the 1970-72 OAI air cleaner kit. The cleaner will be here in about 10 days and the hood in 4-6 weeks. The boss told me he was giving me a $6,000 bonus for the first half of 2007, I checked the exchange rate and the dollars are almost par, so I said WTH. :D

Guys, thanks for the info so far.

[ragz442]

Way to go Ken, the hood will look awesome!

[sumrof75]

Looking forward to seeing another done up. I am jealous, I am a long way from that point.

[zodiacblue442]

Ken - That's awesome! Guess what... I ordered a ram air hood today too for DONUTRUN. I ordered the pin on hood. They gave me a 4 to 6 week time frame too. My brother and I will paint and install the hood over the winter (assuming it doesn't snow every weekend like it did LAST winter!)

Well I did it. I bit the bullet. I ordered my ram air hood today. Then to top it off I gave California a call (Original Parts Group) and ordered the 1970-72 OAI air cleaner kit. The cleaner will be here in about 10 days and the hood in 4-6 weeks. The boss told me he was giving me a $6,000 bonus for the first half of 2007, I checked the exchange rate and the dollars are almost par, so I said WTH. :D

Guys, thanks for the info so far.

[ragz442]

Gary, that hood should look [and work] great on your race car, look forward to seeing some pics. Did you guys get your carb issues ironed out?

[psquare75]

I saw they make a fiberglass hood for the 75 H/O as well (or maybe it was someone else, USbody source maybe).

I wonder what the weight diff. is?

[442MUCH]

Went over to a buddys place today. He has a 1971 442 W30. We pulled off his OAI air breather and placed it on my car to see how it fits. It just about fits perfect. I will have to bend the cross bar about 1/2" to get it to fit perfectly.

Instead of doing that, I just might remove them. Are they really required for support? I can't see them really being needed for the amount of driving this car does.

[442MUCH]

Ken - That's awesome! Guess what... I ordered a ram air hood today too for DONUTRUN. I ordered the pin on hood. They gave me a 4 to 6 week time frame too. My brother and I will paint and install the hood over the winter (assuming it doesn't snow every weekend like it did LAST winter!)

Dang Gary. Great minds think alike:D

[black_bishop]

hey zodiac can you forward that e-mail to me as well i am interested in getting one as well black_bishop@columbus.rr.com

[ragz442]

Went over to a buddys place today. He has a 1971 442 W30. We pulled off his OAI air breather and placed it on my car to see how it fits. It just about fits perfect. I will have to bend the cross bar about 1/2" to get it to fit perfectly.

Instead of doing that, I just might remove them. Are they really required for support? I can't see them really being needed for the amount of driving this car does.

Ken, hate to say it, but I think you need the supports. I drove mine around for a while without them, I couldn't believe the difference when I put them back on. Maybe it's just my junk, take yours off and take it for a spin and see what you think.

[442MUCH]

Ken, hate to say it, but I think you need the supports. I drove mine around for a while without them, I couldn't believe the difference when I put them back on. Maybe it's just my junk, take yours off and take it for a spin and see what you think.

Todd, I took them off and drove the car tonight. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/Smilies/driving.gif What am I looking for? I didn't notice any difference at all. Would I feel the difference right away or after a few days?

[ragz442]

Todd, I took them off and drove the car tonight. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/Smilies/driving.gif What am I looking for? I didn't notice any difference at all. Would I feel the difference right away or after a few days?

After I did the engine in the '77 I didn't install them because I thought it looked better without em, I was hearing alot of noises over bumps and such and the front clip just seemed loose. I installed them and everything just seemed tighter. Again, may just be my car. You wouldn't think those hollow tubes would make much of a difference.

[sledhead2]

Ok here we go, 1st you need get different springs, part number is 215 and made by harwood racing, I got them from summit, with these springs you will need to push backwards on hood to break spring tension and then pull down on hood. If you pull straight down you will break hood.

2nd you will most likly need to alter the bracket that comes mounted inside the hood and locks into the hood lock part. The one they make and install, the post is centered in the opening. If you look at are cars the post is to the right side of the CAR. Our left side when at front of car looking down. I had to take mine out I cut the bracket apart and rewelded it shifted over. Now one other thing is when doing this check if you need to raise the post up into the hood more, with my hood the post was bottoming out in the hood lock assembly and holding the hood up above the nose. To fix this I had to alter the hood lock I will add photos later.

3rd the ram air opening in the bottom side of hood does not line up over our air cleaner. 1st are engines are shifted an about an inch (25mm) to the right side of car (passenger side) and APPEARS to be a little father back in the engine bay.
This put the opening out of aline with center of carb. I have an after market air box that is supposed to seal hood. I currently cannot used it I need to rework some stuff.

I do not know if a factory ram air set-up will work. Sounds like Ken has done some test fitting. Kens might work out fine because he has a big block. I will be able to post some photos later if things go right. That all for now

Ok I have to go now I will finish updating later.

[W451973]

Hmmm. I`ve never noticed any difference in the car with the bars removed.

I saw Dave`s car up close last night on Woodward. Looks great, lucky son of a gun. The hood seems to fit real nice. Don`t know how much work was involved, but it looked pretty flat, straight and uniform to the fenders and header panel. He also got a lot of compliments from the 70-72 crowd on the hood and spoiler. :)

[ragz442]

I saw Dave`s car up close last night on Woodward. Looks great, lucky son of a gun. The hood seems to fit real nice. Don`t know how much work was involved, but it looked pretty flat, straight and uniform to the fenders and header panel. He also got a lot of compliments from the 70-72 crowd on the hood and spoiler. :)

Daves car really does look sharp. I'm not surprised it turned some heads, even from the 70-72 guys.

[442MUCH]

Well, I got my hood today! Took a couple of hours, but I changed them out and lined it up. No pictures. The wife took my camera to Las Vegas.:rolleyes:

[ragz442]

Congrats on the hood Ken, I bet it looks sharp, can't wait to see some pics. No doubt, you truely have a one of a kind 76 442 [W30!].

[442MUCH]

Todd, the part I love best is that I didn't have to cut the original hood. Just a straight bolt on (position, tighten, loosen, reposition, retighten reposition, repeat several times and reposition the latch and cool:cool: ) The 70 air breather seems to fit into place too, so it will be functional. I'll just have to add a screen to keep the bugs out.:D

[texxas8902]

So when's the wife getting back from Vegas with the camera so we can see some pictures?

[442MUCH]

So when's the wife getting back from Vegas with the camera so we can see some pictures?

She's back tonight (3 am). Should have a few pix in a few days.:D

[442MUCH]

OK. Here are a few pix of the hood and ram air set up. The hood will be painted dark blue with the silver on the scoops whe the car get painted in the new year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2927.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2941.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2948.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2957.jpg

[442MUCH]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2925.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2947.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2939.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2970.jpg

[73431Cutlass]

Looks super! How was the fit? I am going to order one over the winter months for my 73. Was going to do it now but I just put on a 442 hood, and I dont want to run around with a primered hood for the last few good crusing days....

[73CS]

Looks great Ken. Interested to see one on a 73-75. When you going to do yours 73431Cutlass?

[442MUCH]

Looks super! How was the fit? I am going to order one over the winter months for my 73. Was going to do it now but I just put on a 442 hood, and I dont want to run around with a primered hood for the last few good crusing days....

It took a little positioning. I had to take out the rubber fender bumpers and I moved the hood latch over about a quarter inch and removed the spring. I have installed the secondary latch and she fits great now. The 442's crusin' days are done until spring (I'll use the Vette until October). I don't want the local car guys to see the hood until the car is painted.:D

Originally Posted by 73CS
Looks great Ken

Thanks. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, and I didn't have to cut up my original hood.

[73431Cutlass]

Looks great Ken. Interested to see one on a 73-75. When you going to do yours 73431Cutlass?


I am going to order mine before the year is over and have it done and ready to go by the spring, when the car comes out of hibernation.

[ragz442]

Looks tough!

[damaged442]

Looks mean as hell! Can't wait to see it with paint!

[mdkingsley]

I will echo Bert on that hood.
Mitchell

[zodiacblue442]

Ken - looks GREAT!!!!!! Can't wait to see it once it's painted. My brother and I finally got the VFN ram air pin on hood for DONUTRUN (`75 Cutlass drag car). The car looks awesome with it. We just have it set on the car and need to figure out mounting locations. The hood is super light. Probably will pick up another tenth in the quarter from losing the stock hood! :D

I'll be sure to post pics once we get it installed, or if there's alot of interest, I can post a pic of it just sitting on the car.

[ragz442]

Post the pic if you can Gary, I havn't seen one on a 73-75 yet.

[442MUCH]

Post the pic if you can Gary, I havn't seen one on a 73-75 yet.

Yeah....what Todd said!

[73cutlass]

Would love to see a pic of yours with the hood, my 73 442 or the 73 Cutlass S might just have to give up their louver hood for one of these. Which would mean i have an extra hood but no car to put it on :D. I cant have an extra hood laying around now that just wouldnt be right. I can smell the next project already.

[John inNH]

I'd like to see it on a '73-'75 too, I'm looking to put one on the Salon. I am also waiting to see how the rear spoiler mentioned here earlier turns out, I think that will really make these coupes look more agressive.

John (who's been too busy to post lately)

[damaged442]

C'mon G! You know us better than that. I don't care if ONE person wants to see a pic of Donutrun with the hood! (I know I would be one person) You can't leave us hangin like that! Put it up!

Plus, with the amount of weight saved over the 3500 lb stock hood, you'll have to be getting into the mid 10s in no time! :D :D :eek:

[brad442]

Ken,

Dang dude. When I first saw one of those hoods a few years ago, I wasn't all that impressed. That is until I saw the Ram Air hood on Dave's car and now your car. When you take the time to put them on right, they look great!!!!!

Dang....

Gary, it's your turn. We need to see Donut Run...

[kgl271]

Those hoods do look great. Can't wait to see it painted and blending with the car!

[zodiacblue442]

So, it sounds like I need to post some pics? :D OK, OK! I'll try to get some pics posted this weekend. Stay tuned! :)


C'mon G! You know us better than that. I don't care if ONE person wants to see a pic of Donutrun with the hood! (I know I would be one person) You can't leave us hangin like that! Put it up!

Plus, with the amount of weight saved over the 3500 lb stock hood, you'll have to be getting into the mid 10s in no time! :D :eek:

[442MUCH]

Ken,

Dang dude. When I first saw one of those hoods a few years ago, I wasn't all that impressed. That is until I saw the Ram Air hood on Dave's car and now your car. When you take the time to put them on right, they look great!!!!!

Dang....

Gary, it's your turn. We need to see Donut Run...

Actually the first time I saw one on our cars I laughed. I thought it looked weird. Then I started seeing them more and more. Then I saw Dave's and thought , "It looks pretty good". So I bought one just to see, and I'm really happy with the results. Can't wait to paint it now.:D

[sledhead2]

once you see it paint you will really love it. The hood is the first thing everybody notices on my car. It is funny they look at car and then you see them do a double take. Even a hard core 68-72 guy that always messed with me about 73-77 stuff likes my car. He no longer says anything.

[73cutlass]

That does it, i have to get one.

[zodiacblue442]

For those of you wanting pics of a `73-`75 ram air hood, I posted pics in a new thread under Rocket Appearance. There are some preliminary pics of the hood sitting on the race car. Looks like alot of you found it already, but I wanted to post a note here too. Look for the thread `73-`75 VFN Fiberglass Hood.