cowl hood

[84chevysilverado]

I bought one of those fiberglass coul hood scoops and cut my hood to make it a functioning cowl. the cowl is now bonded to my hood and looks great. I was just wonderin if I could cut the hood braces undernieth the hood to get more room for my air cleaner. If i cut the hood braces will that make my hood weak? I havent cut it yet il post pics if some one needs to see my problem thanks marc.

[choptop]

If you decide to cut it, box in the area around the hole and tie it into the braces before you remove them around the hole or it'll flop like tinfoil.

[SUX2BU99]

One day when I actually get around to the project, I thought about the same thing: finding a good looking scoop to bond to the hood and cut the braces to allow a circular-shaped ram air box to be fitted to the underside. I thought of using a fairly thick piece of sheet steel (say 1/8") that was about 16" outer diameter and 12" inner diameter that would tie the braces together. I don't know how to weld so I would try to bolt and body glue it together.

[CoggedBelt75]

I'm no fabricator by any means but I did sit and watch while my hood was being cut recently. Not sure if you have done this yet, but for futures references, here's my 2 cents.... With the piece already bonded to the hood, it would seem pretty hard to weld the "lip" around the cut opening without harming the new piece, especially if it is fiberglass. And yes, a strap will have to be in place to tie the braces back together. Would be much easier to lay the piece on and trace it out, then figure the shape of the opening you want, cut, weld, grind, primer,paint, then bold it on. My guy had to work from the top and bottom of the hood and being as careful as he could, there was still some splatter, which wouldn't,t be good on a glass add on. Also by cutting, usually some the "goop" for the life of me I can't remember the proper name for it, it's like a caulk, will be taken away. Just make sure some more is added between the skin of the hood and braces or it will rattle. Again, I'm basing this only from my recent observations.

[84chevysilverado]

thanks coggedbelt75 I never even thought about that silcone/ rubber stuff they have between the braces and the hood i better go bouble check that thats between the hood and all the braces. and yes i do have the hood cut and the cowl is bonded on just puttin the finishing touches on it now before paint. What i was thinking is if i make a new brace around the hole I cut to tie all the factory braces together. il post a pic in the next couple days. thanks marc