I was looking to install a LS1 K&N FIPK on my 95 Z28. I've seen some people actually do it. I know I need a different hood, I bought a Harwood Ram-Air Hood a couple days ago but had no luck, the hood just wouldn't shut, now I'm wondering what hood would actually work. I do want it to be functional.

If anyone has any pics or leads that could help me out and get me back on the road, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

It's going to be tough to get that intake to work with that hood. You may be able to cut it up enough but by then you may be better off selling the intake and making a custom one from scratch. Here's what I did with that hood so you can see what you're up against which should help you decide whether or not you want a different hood.

Open the "opening" on the hood:



Use "great stuff" or the like along with RTV to fill the openings and seal it back up (I have pics of it finished somewhere but haven't put them online). Make sure and keep the top of the opening rounded (don't cut it too high leaving a sharp/square edge).

The biggest problem with the Harwood is the opening is too far back and too short for most simple airboxes on the radiator to fit. To make some extra space I cut the top of the radiator support:



Be sure to re-seal everything so air can't leak past the radiator.

Then using cardboard, slowly start figuring out the airbox shape that will fit under the hood (and be large enough to fit your air filter):





Once you have the airbox shaped so its top edge is around 1/4" away from the hood all the way around (use clay to check), cut out those shapes from ABS plastic sheet. I simply used aluminum angle and pop rivets to assemble it. Seal up the cracks with RTV. Add weather stripping to the top (had to rivet it in front as there's no "edge" for it there) and you're done.














It's not ideal, it would be nice if the opening was a bit taller and farther forward, but it works. I wanted a hood that could both do ram air up front and still had the cowl clearance for my intake and there aren't a lot of choices so until I decide I can afford my own custom design this will have to do. You should be able to get everything you need from http://www.mcmaster.com .

 

you have an awesome set up. and its true the ram air part should actually be further to the nose of the hood. since im still running a TB and the OE manifold it would seem impossible for me to push the filter closer to the engine. it would leave me no room for the MAF, im really thinking of just getting some think sheet metal and making my own ram air hood.

 

what is that alum foil material you put above the rad??

shim stock??

 

i have a FTRA from a LS setup on mine

 

Nice write up Jon

 

id ditch the k&n looks tough to work with.......i run a chrs1313 ram air on mine with a FTP 104mm lid like on the LS1's.........works well and fits under my 3" VFN Cowl hood with some rad support mods.....

 

i run the ls1 fipk kit under a Us Exotics Warbird hood on one of my t/a's.

 

Thanks, you're right a stock-style manifold will make it a tighter fit. I think it can still work pushing the filter forward just a bit, possibly putting 1/2 the MAF in the box or moving the back of the box forward just an inch or two. I may be switching back to a more stock-like manifold layout in a few months so I'll post how it worked when/if I do.
It's "aluminum tape," you should be able to find it at most autoparts stores. It's quite useful for things like that.
Thanks.