Cowl Induction Hood

[ALange]

My 94 came with a GM Cowl Induction hood that has the opening in the rear by the windshield. Under the hood it has a K&N air filter. Now certainly the hood is attractive, but does the opening in the rear actually increase air flow? Seems to me the air scoop should be in front.

[Schmids5.3l]

They really just give added engine clearance. Supposedly it's a higher pressure area so air can get sucked it, but it's not like you get air in your engine from there. If you had a 360* air filter like a carbureted engine would then maybe but I doubt it.

[Wingnut]

They really just give added engine clearance. Supposedly it's a higher pressure area so air can get sucked it, but it's not like you get air in your engine from there. If you had a 360* air filter like a carbureted engine would then maybe but I doubt it.

 

I think they're mainly designed for this ^^^ and to let hot air get out to prevent heatsoak.

[svensk]

They're good for 40HP

[MS3DALE]

They're good for 40HP

 

 

BTW.......Its not a "GM" hood,GM does not produce cowl induction hoods for trucks.

It might be "GM licensed" but its not manufactured or produced by GM.

[jhm]

Easy for the mice to come and go.

[95Sierra2500]

They really just give added engine clearance. Supposedly it's a higher pressure area so air can get sucked it, but it's not like you get air in your engine from there. If you had a 360* air filter like a carbureted engine would then maybe but I doubt it.

 

There's no supposedly about it, it IS a higher pressure area and it DOES suck air in. Dodge used to put alot of their intakes to suck in through the cowl in the late 60's because it helped the engine breathe better when the vehicle was at speed.

 

However, on a vehicle where the induction system is through anything except a rear-facing or 360* open filter, they're pretty much just for looks. They sorta help with cooling, but not much.

[98silvz71]

Is the intake actually using the cowl? Because on my 98 I had one of those hoods and it was there for looks. However you could see air being sucked in the cowl while driving down the road. The leaves, rain, or other debris would get sucked to the cowls grille.

[ALange]

They really just give added engine clearance. Supposedly it's a higher pressure area so air can get sucked it, but it's not like you get air in your engine from there. If you had a 360* air filter like a carbureted engine would then maybe but I doubt it.

 

There's no supposedly about it, it IS a higher pressure area and it DOES suck air in. Dodge used to put alot of their intakes to suck in through the cowl in the late 60's because it helped the engine breathe better when the vehicle was at speed.

 

However, on a vehicle where the induction system is through anything except a rear-facing or 360* open filter, they're pretty much just for looks. They sorta help with cooling, but not much.

 

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I have the 360 K&N on the rig now so I will leave well enough alone in that department. I shouldn't fixate on the truck as I only get home to drive it a couple times a year, but due to my lack of vices currently I do need an avenue of escape. My bikes are the main recipient of my excesses and the truck may become a runner up.

[csheatz]

Easy for the mice to come and go.

 

like the big ass hole in the bottom of the engine bay isnt?

 

Just had to add that!

[takevin]

They're good for 40HP

 

Thought it was for 50HP , if the cowl was the other way around would be the optimum to let cool air in.

[jerm1978]

They're just to add extra room (blowers) and to allow hot air to escape easier.

[VMax2007]

They're just to add extra room (blowers) and to allow hot air to escape easier.

 

 

Not originally they weren't. True cowl induction in the 60's had the air cleaner ducted into the hood and it got it's air from the cowl.

 

Cowl induction is when the back of the hood next to the windshield is open so that the engine can get access to the cool high pressure air that builds up there while driving.

 

Stock cowl induction hoods were options on first gen cars. They are the ones w/ the "low wide" hood scoop facing rearward down the middle of them. Real ones had matching air breathers that fit up tight under them to take advantage of the cool air. And, yes your car will make slightly more power w/ the cooler air the engine can suck in using a cowl hood thats open.

[zxcv]

Put a lightning bolt sticker on your truck instead.

[tobias]

They work exceptionally well... as a downhill sled. The cowl acts sort of like a rudder allowing for tighter turns and easier lane changes.