Photoshop hood scoop

[Ghosthawk]

I did a little image playing after taking some measurements online and then doing a paper template to make sure I had the scale close to correct. I'm sure this will get some mixed reaction, but I think the cowl induction scoop goes well with the hood lines and is subtle enough.

I never could get a good color match/highlight/shadow between the hood and scoop, so it lacks that same gloss the hood shows, but overall I like the effect.

Fire away with your opinions

[Bing]

Not bad, I like the V in the design of the scoop. Could be setup to vent out excess engine heat from the engine compartment.

[harofreak00]

If its a stick-on... No

If its molded in...Yes

[00Beast]

[wdean]

looks good, I like it

[BonneMe]

If its a stick-on... No

If its molded in...Yes

And no badges on it...

[Ghosthawk]

I'm also waiting for a reply from a seller question on dimensions of a 80s style Camaro Z/28 cowl induction scoop. If it isnt too long overall (and I fear it may be)...but if not, the full length of the hood might look sharp. May have to try and play with an image on that one as well.

[92BonneSE]

If it's molded on it probably won't look too bad

[01bonneSC]

Is this gonna be functional at all?

[Ghosthawk]

Most likely to be cosmetic only. If I can figure a way to let hot air out and keep the water out as well I might consider trying to make it functional...aside from that, I simply like the look of a performance hood. Most factory hood treatments are cosmetic anyway as well as either bolted or stuck on. Very few factory hoods are truly functional.

I can see the appeal of a molded hood, and if I could find a used hood with proper dimensions and look that could be cut and grafted (welded or brazed metal-to-metal) I may well go that route. However, I have seen far too many molded plastic or fiberglass scoops that begin to show stress cracks and crow's foot in the paint once a little age and weather have their way.

IMO, nothing looks worse than molded hood where the two materials are trying to part from each other. I think a nicely paint matched bolt-on scoop can look just as nice if the install is done properly.

I'd love to graft the center section w/scoops from a G8, but finding a used hood for one of those wont be easy or inexpensive.

[00Beast]

Brazing definitely wouldn't work, you can't braze aluminum (our hood material) well. I think you're stuck with panel bonding adhesive and mounting a steel scoop on an aluminum hood, then hoping/praying a body shop can match the paint...

[rtabish]

i like the design. on fuel injected vehicles, hood scoops are usually superfluous, especially if they are only in place for looks. if this is functional for air ventilation, and can be molded to the hood in way that it looks like it belongs there [and not some glued-on ricer wannabe] i would say go for it! of course, there would have to be something under the hood to back up such a statement as a scoop on the hood.

[01bonneSC]

Id fiberglass one on. Bolted on is just gonna look hokey and ruin your good looking car. If you do it right it wont stress crack or anything, new age materials are better than the old technology stuff that can flex, etc.

http://www.cstsales.com/tutorials/fiberglass_mold.pdf

Cant really make it functional for air ventilation as the cowl induction design will suck air IN.

[wake]

if i were you, id start buy going out and buying a spare hood, and then starting from there

[rushicon]

Def agree with starting on a junkyard hood first. If at first u don't succeed.....

[jonnevilleSSEi]

Nope. I just think you're junking up the car. IMHO a hood scoop when it's required for ventilation because an engine has been modded to the degree where it's required is one thing. Or if an engine mod requires extra height it's justified. Otherwise I think you're just taking a nice looking car and adding junk it doesn't need. I'm a designer by trade and overall aspire to a less is more but style is ok too philosophy. I'd support the idea of working on a used hood so your original hood can be replaced if it doesn't work or if after a period you tired of the look but overall the car is probably classier with the factory hood.

One more consideration, if it isn't vented it may actually hold heat inside like an extra insulative layer.

[wdean]

I think the hood needs something on the 00's but it has to look like it was a factory install - Ghosthawk is such a nice car with that paint color, I'm sure you wouldn't want it any other way either. IMO it needs to be bold, yet sleek and classy.

[Ghosthawk]

I did end my opening post with, "Fire away with your opinions"...and you have certainly done just that, and I do appreciate and respect the input. I cant recall another topic that seems to generate such fervent responses. I think this another one of those areas that shows the diversity of our hobby and how things are viewed.

Let me begin by saying that I intend no ill or finger-pointing to anyone who has commented, because I prefer that you say what you think, but I have to admit this subject baffles me just a bit.

I find it slightly ironic that there seems to be such passionate opinion toward any kind of hood treatment that is molded to look like a one piece hood as opposed to an added accessory. Save for the bumper covers, all the other "add-ons" that give our cars such a distinctive look (and one of the major reasons I like the exterior) are taped/bolted on. I dont find this off-putting in any way because the styling flows together to create a cohesive look, and I've never run across a Bonneville where someone had molded in all of its body accessories.

The hood vents that several members have installed have not had their seams molded into the hood, nor do I recall any comment suggesting that they should have been. While the vents are serving a functional purpose to be sure, I dont understand the visual difference of why its more widely acceptable for a vent to be bolted in place but not a scoop.

I dont have the spare storage area to keep an extra hood, but moreover bodywork is not my forte, and there are local professionals whose opinion and experience I trust to do that kind of work. In addition, I dont think my learning curve will produce the kind of results I want for the car to have, and in that regard I'd rather have a tastefully done bolt-on scoop as opposed to something I did myself that looks like raw rookie handiwork.

As was mentioned in another post, I want something sleek and subtle and that isnt going to be easy to find. I'm not ruling out the grafting process, but I will give that to a pro if I choose that route.

Some of us prefer a clean hood over a styling treatment anyday, and thats good, because its all about choice and personal satisfaction in the end. As far as having "something under there to back it up"...well, there are almost countless V6 Challengers,Mustangs, and other cars with a sporting flavor that have styled hood treatments with many of them bolted on.

Part of why I love the Bonnie is because its a sleek sedan with a sporting attitude. I personally think its a shame the factory didnt offer some kind of hood treatment for the GXP at the very least. That doesnt mean it was bad idea, but with "BMW-Bob" at the helm it was never going to happen...for that matter I'm amazed the car escaped with a rear spoiler.

Thank you one and all for your input...and I will be posting more ideas as they rattle out of my head and onto the screen for your consideration. Somewhere in the middle of all of this there is going to be a winner

[jonnevilleSSEi]

well said. Everyone has unique visions and that's what America is all about. Done right the scoop may end up being something I'd open up to when I see it live. Like the second generation Seville trunk did for me. (At first I shrieked but soon really appreciated Caddy's daring). Let's see what else you have, I know if you take it ALL the way out, (wheels, tires, lower suspension, recaro's or mayb e a sport style retrim of the factory seats (which are great).. Be one HOT Ghosthawk bonnie.

[wake]

Judging from what youve done to the car already in the short time youve had it..im sure whatever you decide to do, wont look that bad at all