I'm considering buying an ss ram-air hood from a guy local for a 93-97 camaro for $375. My dad and I will be able to sand down the hood and paint it. I just called Suncoast and their hood new is like $950 delivered..which is out of the question for me. Now the guy who I am buying it from has cut out part of the hood where its natural cut out is, he says more air will be able to go in to the intake. Suncoast says this will make it more prone to water going in to the engine. What is your guys' opinion on Suncoast and what do you make of this deal?

 

I remember this topic awhile back and I think what the result is that not enough water could get into the engine to hurt anything if all the baffles (water shield things) were cut out. The water would have to make it through the filter and then all the way around back to the front of the engine. Don't seem like it would make it to me. I don't have any factual info on this but it is just my opinion.

 

Another thing is I won't be going with the Functional Kit, as I have a Moroso CAI

 

Well then, what's the problem? You won't get any water into your engine

 

but there would be a slightly higher chance of getting the opti wet, driving it in rain!

 

true...but i don't think very much water will even make it that far. You could always just block off the hole from the inside

 

I agree, just throwing out possibilities!

 

Yeah, but the guy who I would be buying the hood from has his setup functional, so naturally air is coming in, but I was just curious about the water. And it is possible to block off the hood right? In your opinion, what would be better, blocking off the hood so no air comes, or just letting it open and take the chance on no water coming in? There is a grill on the front so there cant be THAT much water come in anyway.

 

I think the Suncoast hoods are WAY too boxy...do a google search for "Moore Performance" those are sweet hoods, and the customer service is amazing.

 

I say get it if you want it!! then try it without blocking it off! I might actually help get some of the hot air out of the engine bay! And if it is causing trouble or just making the engine bay ugly due to water and such, then block it off!
Either way you are getting a deal for the price, if it is in good shape!

 

I would probably just block it off. It won't hurt if you do, but that extra little chance of ruining the opti isn't worth not doing it.

 

My suncoast hood was JUNK. Stay far far away. On top of them taking FOUR WEEKS to deliver it, it fit terribly, was WAVY, uneven. Stay away from the ram air box, its a piece of crap. A year later, after I spent 10 hours to fit the hood right, smooth it out, its dimpled, has high and low spots, is wavy again, and still doesnt quite fit right. Terrible piece of fiberglass. I'd look elsewhere.

 

Yeah I would love to buy one new, but I'm 17 and the budget just isnt looking good for that lol I'm going to have to go with that one either way if I want a hood. It turned out that the guy had bought the Z28 from my aunt about 4 years ago. The hood looks flawless, and wasn't any noticeable blemishes. I will probably just go ahead and get it.

 

FWIW, My Suncoast Ram Air hood fit absolutely stellar on my '96.

You can see a couple pictures at www.slowwhitecar.com if you're interested.

 

i ordered my hood a little over 2 years ago and it took 5 days to ship here in cali which isnt bad...plus my hood fits great ..and looks good no waving or dimples looks like a quality piece...but i may have got lucky...each hood comes out diffrent fiberglass is tricky.