My modified stock steel trans am hood
02-12-2016, 07:34 PM
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My modified stock steel trans am hood I've read posts about doing something like this, but never really saw one done. I wanted to do something different and figured I'd spend just as much time fitting an aftermarket hood and didn't want to spend big bucks or wait on a good one.
Pretty much fits like a firehawk hood, close, but not exactly the same. I did spend way too much time on it and probably would just buy a hood before doing it again. I did open it up and should push some air into the box.
Still need to paint it and the fenders. But the hard part is done.
Pretty much fits like a firehawk hood, close, but not exactly the same. I did spend way too much time on it and probably would just buy a hood before doing it again. I did open it up and should push some air into the box.
Still need to paint it and the fenders. But the hard part is done.
02-13-2016, 07:44 AM
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Looks interesting. Do you have any more pics?
02-13-2016, 09:51 AM
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None different than that pic, just took a few pics as I was trimming and fitting it. May get it painted soon, but kind of cold here for that right now.
02-13-2016, 04:07 PM
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so does it just bump up at the front to give the openings or did you add the humps going all the way to the back like the firehawk, WS-6 and superhawk hoods have?
02-13-2016, 05:12 PM
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Without seeing it in person, I'm saying that you've got something there. Looks to have a very factory-like flow, which was obviously your goal. Excellent work!
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02-14-2016, 01:57 PM
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It's just a stock flat metal 98-02 firebird hood, not a ws6, firehawk or aftermarket. I raised the top edges of the openings just a little, but didn't want to reshape the whole hood or get into too much more welding, which would just end up warping it. I figure the hood is already raised from the factory in the center... to me, it looks like firehawk hoods and others, the center drops down some... more than the raised areas being raised.
It does have openings in the latch panel back in front of the air cleaner, so air will get to the box... how much, that I don't know, but it has to help some. I fully welded it around the latch panel and added some metal to top of the openings... plenty strong and won't compromise the latch area at all. I cut the end of the hood release handle off, so that's all there and still working.
I may add some black strips behind the openings the length of the hood or some other blackout.
If I did it again I'm sure I could do it a lot quicker... this was a lot of trial and error and cutting/trimming, then adding metal back.
It does have openings in the latch panel back in front of the air cleaner, so air will get to the box... how much, that I don't know, but it has to help some. I fully welded it around the latch panel and added some metal to top of the openings... plenty strong and won't compromise the latch area at all. I cut the end of the hood release handle off, so that's all there and still working.
I may add some black strips behind the openings the length of the hood or some other blackout.
If I did it again I'm sure I could do it a lot quicker... this was a lot of trial and error and cutting/trimming, then adding metal back.
02-14-2016, 10:29 PM
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Yes I spent way too much time on it, but I am happy with the results. I don't know if I'll like it more than a ram air or firehawk etc hood or not, but I do like I didn't have to spend $ or wait weeks to get a hood. Now if it would warm up a little, I could get it painted... was below 0 here last night, not good painting weather.
02-16-2016, 09:56 AM
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I went with the body line on the outer edges. Made it easier for welding inside the edge for strength. I tried so many different things and it was more rounded but I didn't like it. It wasn't easy to make it symmetrical either, in fact I doubt even now both sides are exactly the same.
02-17-2016, 08:54 PM
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That's why I posted pics to see what people thought of it and because I never actually saw one done despite seeing people mentioning trying it. I may still end up with an aftermarket hood eventually... but just didn't have the time to wait for one now.
02-20-2016, 04:25 PM
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That was my thoughts too... I like the fact it didn't cost me money and it's unique... I got the hood and car painted today, pics to follow soon once it all dries and I get it assembled. It didn't come out perfect, skipped some of the usual steps, but looks good enough for me. I'll be adding some striped to it yet too.
02-21-2016, 05:44 PM
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Finally some good pics... and cars done too, was a bare shell with doors, glass/hatch when I got it in mid dec. I like it, but seems kind of plain overall, so going to try some black vinyl stripes.
