• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

One of those crazy mustang ideas

  • Thread starter Thread starter Green&GoldGT
  • Start date Start date Oct 1, 2011

Green&GoldGT

Member
Aug 1, 2005
302
0
17
Virginia
Oct 1, 2011
#1
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #1
So I was thinking of making my stock hood a heat extractor by drilling holes in the back, slanted part of the cowl right in front of the cowl panel.

Would this keep rain out of the engine compartment?
 

apats77

Member
May 2, 2011
178
1
18
Watertown, MA
Oct 1, 2011
#2
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #2
While driving it should push the hot air through the holes keeping rain out but I would assume under certain conditions rain could get in but not much
 

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
Oct 1, 2011
#3
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #3
The cowl area just in front of the windshield actually has positive pressure when driving, due to aerodynamic affects. It is likely air would flow from the cowl area into the engine bay when driving, and rise up and out when stopped.

Personally, I don't see any advantage to extracting the heat. If you want the engine to run cooler, the best solution is a lower temperature thermostat. You can then adjust the on/off points for the fans to make sure it stay there. If you want a cooler air charge, then make sure your CAI is drawing from the fenderwell. No reason to make your car trashy for perceived gains.

Another good way to reduce underhood temps, is have headers ceramic coated or wrapped. Again, I still think there isn't much advantage to making it cooler underhood. The heads and intake are still going to have coolant flowing through, thus they will be close to the temp of the coolant. Hence my recommendation for change the t-stat and fan setpoints.
 

Maxpowers

Member
Sep 9, 2009
859
2
19
Pittsburgh, Pa
Oct 1, 2011
#4
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #4
The car was designed to cool itself off under hard driving conditions. Unless you have more power than bolt ons, I would not screw up your car.

Not to be a dick, but you sound like a ricer. If this is truly what you want, buy a hood designed for it.
And to prove my point:
VTEC YO!
 

apats77

Member
May 2, 2011
178
1
18
Watertown, MA
Oct 1, 2011
#5
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #5
I bought a 180* stat from NAPA, keeps it a bit cooler on the highway with the increased air flow but at idle it stays just about the same as stock 192*
 

crzyhrse99

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
259
3
28
Kansas
Oct 1, 2011
#6
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #6
apats77 said:
I bought a 180* stat from NAPA, keeps it a bit cooler on the highway with the increased air flow but at idle it stays just about the same as stock 192*
Click to expand...

Unless you have a tuner/tune to adjust the fans, that tstat isnt doing anything different than the stock one if im not mistaken.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Oct 1, 2011
#7
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #7
Running a cooler stat is a holdover from carb days. With modern efi engines, best efficiency is going to be around 195-210 degrees. Running cooler than that may be harmful in the long run.
 

Green&GoldGT

Member
Aug 1, 2005
302
0
17
Virginia
Oct 1, 2011
#8
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #8
I used to have a 4" Kaenan cowl hood, and it made a huge difference. I would sit at a stoplight and there was so much heat that came out it looked like a grill, with the air wavy. I got the idea from this Bullitt, I don't consider it rice. The next time you go out for a drive, pop the hood and feel how hot the intake plenum gets.

2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt Modified - Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords
 
4

40oz

Member
Jan 9, 2006
499
3
18
Minneapolis
Oct 1, 2011
#9
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #9
Look at an 03 Cobra hood. That is a heat extractor. Maybe just get one of those? I know it costs more than drilling holes in your hood, but it will be more effective as well as not look ghetto.

Late 60's Camaros could be optioned with a cowl-induction set-up, with an opening at the rear of the hood at the base of the windshield connected to the carburetor. That actually worked, unlike the "ram-air" and shaker hood scoops which at best only serve as a cold-air source. While stopped at a light you might see heat rising out of the cowl opening, but when moving, air will be forced into any available opening as it hits the windshield. That's why the openings for the heater/A/C are located at the base of the windshield.
 

bradfier

Member
Mar 2, 2010
142
0
16
Oct 1, 2011
#10
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #10
Green&GoldGT said:
I got the idea from this Bullitt, I don't consider it rice.
Click to expand...

I believe they did that becuase the bullitt has an air to air intercooler and needed additional air. Putting holes in your hood wont be functional, but it's your car do what you like and post up some pics!
 

Maxpowers

Member
Sep 9, 2009
859
2
19
Pittsburgh, Pa
Oct 1, 2011
#11
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #11
Green&GoldGT said:
I used to have a 4" Kaenan cowl hood, and it made a huge difference. I would sit at a stoplight and there was so much heat that came out it looked like a grill, with the air wavy. I got the idea from this Bullitt, I don't consider it rice. The next time you go out for a drive, pop the hood and feel how hot the intake plenum gets.

2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt Modified - Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords
Click to expand...

Modifying your stock hood like that is rice man. Not arguing that it doesn't get hot under there, but that's what the fan, radiator, and water pump is for. These cars are made to handle the heat with stock parts.

Look at the new GT mustangs. How much more power are they making stock? Do they have a heat extractor hood?

It's a good idea, I'm not knocking that. Get the hood though instead of drilling holes in yours.
 

JymboSlice

Member
Dec 9, 2008
385
0
17
Oct 1, 2011
#12
  • Oct 1, 2011
  • #12
Maxpowers said:
The car was designed to cool itself off under hard driving conditions. Unless you have more power than bolt ons, I would not screw up your car.

Not to be a dick, but you sound like a ricer. If this is truly what you want, buy a hood designed for it.
And to prove my point:
VTEC YO!
Click to expand...

that is teh tits yo. Thats probably the funniest s**t ive seen in awhile haha
 

GDawg

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
1,469
19
68
Nevada
Oct 2, 2011
#13
  • Oct 2, 2011
  • #13
Put the air box in the fender well. It will drop the temps of the incoming air from 200* to what the outside temps are. Denser colder air, hence higher air ratio corrected with higher fuel addition, equals more hp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Resolved 1988 Foxbody - Overheating Summer
  • MDrisc
  • Oct 26, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
697
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 17, 2026
fasterthangas
F
R
Progress Thread A small update on our first-gen Mustang project
  • Restomotive
  • Apr 24, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
100
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Apr 24, 2026
Restomotive
R
A
SN95 Hydroboost in a Fox | Brake lines
  • arc_jpiv
  • Sep 4, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
343
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 14, 2026
2000xp8
0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
734
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
837
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?