Hoods, Products and weather stripping

[WayFast84]

I need a new hood to clear my air filter, I was thinking of a 3 inch harwood hood. Does any one have pictures of thirdgen firebirds with cowl hoods? Can you post the picture with the size of the cowl?

I need seat shampoo for my clothe seats, What is the safest and easiest product to use on my white seats?

I also need weather stripping, where in Middlesex county can I have the weather stripping replaced around the bottom of my windows? How much in labor would this be?


thanks,

Matt

[BonzoHansen]

matt, are those seats cloth or vinyl?

[WayFast84]

They are cloth with vinyl on some small parts.

[BonzoHansen]

Hmm. White is tough. You wouldn't have one of these, would you?

http://www.electronicretailermag.com/uploadImages/0305_bissell_Little-Green.jpg

[WildBillyT]

Matt,

How far off is the air cleaner? Can you get by with a drop base air cleaner instead of replacing the hood?

Weatherstripping work is not that bad but the materials themselves might be expensive. Maybe $150 a door?

[//<86TA>\\]

Does any one have pictures of thirdgen firebirds with cowl hoods? Can you post the picture with the size of the cowl?


VFN 4.5" cowl, a little larger same idea.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/Phil_9111/PIC00018.jpg
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[Rich189]

If by chance you have a little green machine like scott said woolite diluted 8 to one works great to take the stain out then hit it with the green machine. I do this because i dont feel a need to spend 1200 bucks on a good hot water extracter.

If you just want to do it by hand though the best stuff ive found is resolve triple action cleaner. Pick up "nail brushes" found in the cleaning aisle of most stores like target they are basically little stiff scrub brushes soak with resolve scrub then blot with a clean towel and vaccum the seat when done. I use this method for most spot cleaning.

[WayFast84]

Its really the whole seat on both seats, the rear seats are fine, The fronts just have some grease finger prints and crap. I had one or two spots on my rear seats that i cleaned up but i don't remember how.

[WayFast84]

Matt,

How far off is the air cleaner? Can you get by with a drop base air cleaner instead of replacing the hood?

Weatherstripping work is not that bad but the materials themselves might be expensive. Maybe $150 a door?


I wish, But I doubt it. In fact I might even have a drop base air cleaner. I dont want to do the weather stripping, I would rather some one who knows what they are doing order the parts and then do it.

[BonzoHansen]

I wish, But I doubt it. In fact I might even have a drop base air cleaner. I dont want to do the weather stripping, I would rather some one who knows what they are doing order the parts and then do it.

Talk to Hardcore Paul

[Tru2Chevy]

I think the 'birds have slightly less clearance than Camaros, but I have a 2 5/8" x 14" K&N filter, with an offset (to clear large cap HEI) drop base, and the K&N Xtreme flow lid. With minor trimming of the braces it clears a stock flat Camaro hood. That's with a Performer intake and either my Q-jet or Holley 750 DP.

- Justin

[WayFast84]

My intake is a performer RPM, Is It possible the performer rpm is taller? I also have a demon carb.

I need to see pictures of 4 inch cowls. Right now, I dont like anything bigger then 4. I really like the harwood 3 inch cowl. But I dont know if that will give me enough clearance with my nitrous when it is installed.

[Tru2Chevy]

The RPM is slightly taller I believe....you could try cutting the bracing under your stock hood if you want, but you may be stuck with aftermarket.

- Justin

[Rich189]

Its really the whole seat on both seats, the rear seats are fine, The fronts just have some grease finger prints and crap. I had one or two spots on my rear seats that i cleaned up but i don't remember how.

it shouldnt matter just spray the whole seat with resolve triple action scrub it with the brush and then blot dry with a clean towel... then vaccum the seat with a wet dry vac to make sure you get out as much dirt and resolve as you can... also wear gloves doing in case the resolve burns your skin a bit. Thats what i did to my camaro seats since i broke my little green machine.

[WayFast84]

Thanks Rich.

Justin, What drop base are you using? On thirdgen.org I found a post saying with a drop base filter, I can make it fit under my own hood. I found a pretty knowledgeable post, with some one running, a vortec headed 406 and an rpm intake just like me. Apparently the GM L-88 Drop base has the most clearance.

Hopefully this will save me some money for a little while, and I can my suspension finished with the money I saved on the hood, and I can get the hood when I am ready for nitrous.

[Tru2Chevy]

It's a K&N piece, I'm pretty sure it's a 1.25" drop base, offset for the large cap HEI.

- Justin

[Jersyboyy]

Matt theirs a guy in my town, sayreville on thirdgen.

Hes selling the same 2 or 2 1/2 inch hood i have on my car for 100 bucks. You have a firebird never mind. Would have been a perfect steal for you too, darn ill keep a look out tho bro.

My edelbrock performer rpm intake with a standard airfilter base fits under my 2 or 2 1/2" hood.

[Jersyboyy]

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/pts/720947994.html

4 inch harwood for 175 bones in south jersey. call him up and check it out :thumbs:

[WayFast84]

I cant go that far yet, I would have to get the car drivable enough, enough money for the hood and gas, and drive there with out a hood and install it there..

I'm getting a 2.25 drop base from summit, and I'm gonna pray it works for now. I need shocks/struts, lca's, relocation brackets and a panhard bar before a new hood...

[JSPERFORMANCE]

Not gonna work. Did you think I wouldnt have tried that already?

Only way anything is gonna fit under your hood is if it is real close to the carb throat which will obstruct airflow and make the car run like crap.

You have done real good with the car up to this point. Why half azz it now? You have time, a deal will come around soon enough.

[Jersyboyy]

Matt cant your parents help you take the trip to pick up that hood if you were able to get the money for it. Like josh said its not going to be a good idea to try and stuff everything under the stock hood. Just a suggestion. Scour north central and south jersey craigslist for deals man. I found alot of good stuff cheap on their.

[Rich189]

Why half azz it now? You have time, a deal will come around soon enough.

josh is right dont half ass it but if you really need to why not just buy a scoop and cut your stock hood until you can save up for the one you want

[WayFast84]

I dont want to half ass it, I just really need to put the money I have saved up into buying a Beater, I also need shock/struts and springs to get it on the road.

[BonzoHansen]

Matt, if you need help picking up a hood let me know.

[WayFast84]

I have no problem picking a hood up, I can tie it to a roof, or install it at the freight place, or even have it dropped to my house, its just that, I know I have $500 to spend, my car needs shocks/struts and springs, It will cost about $450 for them, and another like $300 to install them and then I pissed money into the hood.

[Mike]

orrrr you could have an install party, and use the 300 you were gonna spend on the install on the hood.

and dont you dare tie a hood to your roof, you have people that would help, or if i remember correctly, casey fit a 4th gen hood in his 4th gen so that might work for you too.

[JSPERFORMANCE]

you do not need springs.

My advice: get a $5 carb cap, complete the needed repairs on the car (I will make you a list if you want), when they are completed the car will be ready to drive on a more consistant basis. At that time you can evaluate your financial situation and if the budget allows you can buy a hood, if not you could always do a rivet on hood scoop, it may be tacky but it will get the job done while you are getting the money together for the hood you want.

[JSPERFORMANCE]

strut and shock install on third gen - $150-$200

[qwikz28]

ps- i have manual spring compressors if you wanna do that install party.

[WayFast84]

I will be ordering a Pin on VFN 4.5 inch cowl hood tomorrow. The it takes two- five weeks to come in, so that will give me enough time for at least half of it being payed off. When I get It back from shocks and struts and the car is inspected, expect to see a formula style bumper cover on the front, with satin black headlight's and 4.5 inch cowl hood.

[Mike]

:banana:
dont you think thats a little tall matt? i would go for the smallest thing that was compatable with my motor
i also have the spring compressors if you wana do the install in the driveway.

matt......lca's and panhard too man

[Tru2Chevy]

No need for compressors on a 3rd gen....just stick a jack under the control arm. I did struts / springs in my driveway like that with no issues at all.

4th gen is another story though....

- Justin

[//<86TA>\\]

I will be ordering a Pin on VFN 4.5 inch cowl hood tomorrow. The it takes two- five weeks to come in, so that will give me enough time for at least half of it being payed off. When I get It back from shocks and struts and the car is inspected, expect to see a formula style bumper cover on the front, with satin black headlight's and 4.5 inch cowl hood.


im not really up to date on this project, but is the car going to be a drag only car? if not i would highly recommend a bolt on hood, pin-ons can be a real PITA.
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[Mike]

yeah matt you wont be able to open your hood without a friend.... and 4.5 may not pass inspection

[//<86TA>\\]

i believe 2.5" is the max legal height in NJ, so unless you have a friend as the station you may have issues.

Will the new motor even pass inspection?
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[WayFast84]

I have no clue if it will pass inspection. I heard the weight of the hood is 15 LBS why would I need a friend? I guess Ill just spring for the bolt on... I want the 4.5 because its the only hood Ive actually seen on a trans am. I don't think it looks the best But then again I really don't want a cowl hood at all, but need the clearance.

I want to have the head lights and hood satin black with true fire on the sides of the cowl. I'm gonna get an airbrush and start practicing.

[BonzoHansen]

Matt, 4.5" is too tall, you will fail NJ inspection. IIRC the legal limit is like 3" Friend #1: get you a sticker

Listen to these guys, hinges are useful on a street car. You can just do away with the lift struts, keep the OE hinges and keep a small prop rod in the car. taking a hood off by yourself can be tough - paint scratches. Plus if it is windy it can be trouble (I've seen the fly, lol). Friend #2: help remove the hood safely.

Hey, scooter might have a hood that might help. I thought he said he had a ram air style 3rd gne hood, maybe that will clear it.

[Mike]

you dont need that much matt, the hood closes with no air cleaner, so you only need somthing that will clear an air cleaner.......2.5 to 3 inches tops and yes scooter had one for sale

edit heres the link..........http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28804

YOU EVEN POSTED IN THE THREAD

[Rich189]

I gotta agree with the rest of the guys go with a smaller hood unless its a drag only car... and id do bolt on to the only 2 reasons i went with a lift off is

A. it was 120 bucks and the exact hood i wanted
B. my car is going to be pretty much drag only not to mention there is always someone around my house to give me a hand if i need it

[ws6 jim]

how tall are you I'm 6'4 and had a hard time seeing over the Ram Air I hood I had on my old 3rd gen and it was 2.5 in cowl

in the long run you may want to wait and do the right thing instead of the cheap and quick thing

[//<86TA>\\]

. I heard the weight of the hood is 15 LBS why would I need a friend?.

it is a light hood, but its also friggen huge, very awkward for 1 person, and you may crack it trying to lift it from one side.

Early camaros, 82-83 maybe, had a factory fiberglass hood, and lighter hood shocks to go with them, they are what im using and they work great, prop-rods suck!


I have the performer RPM air gap manifold, 1" spacer, 4150 holly carb, flat base air cleaner and a 4" element, and the 4.5" cowl just barely clears it.

So minus the spacer, and use 3" element, even with a flat base air cleaner, and you are down to a 2.5" cowl, if you can use a drop base cleaner, maybe only a inch or so and use a K&N cleaner lid, you could probably go with an even smaller cowl, i think Harwood makes a 2". I dont know what extra room the RA-II hoods offer, but you may be able to go that route, though i think they look awful on a 3rd gen.

[Rich189]

So minus the spacer, and use 3" element, even with a flat base air cleaner, and you are down to a 2.5" cowl, if you can use a drop base cleaner, maybe only a inch or so and use a K&N cleaner lid, you could probably go with an even smaller cowl, i think Harwood makes a 2". I dont know what extra room the RA-II hoods offer, but you may be able to go that route, though i think they look awful on a 3rd gen.


harwood makes 3 inch cowls that would probably be exactly what he needs

[//<86TA>\\]

harwood makes 3 inch cowls that would probably be exactly what he needs

you are correct, and it would be perfect, maybe even legal

[WayFast84]

Im ordering a harwood cowl hood and KYB GR-2 rear shocks through summit tomorrow. YAY for being broke!

[ar0ck]

4.5" Is just going to look plain ol' stupid. Unless your packing some serious big block heat under the hood that is way over kill. Get the car running right before you deal with that. I drove my 85 T/A for a year with the stock hood and had a tiny flex in the hood where i gutted some of the hood to clear a cheap summit air cleaner and only the stud touched and poked a little into the hood, but it still closed and saved me a butt load of money in the long run.

[Mike]

alex his hood hits the carb without a filter or stud

[WildBillyT]

alex his hood hits the carb without a filter or stud

Wow if I knew that I never would have suggested the drop base air cleaner...