MBrianB

I will need a L88 hood for my '72 ZZ502 build"

The selections available are numerous. Fit and finish are of course priorities. Some require drilling and tapping for mounts. Some have metal framework bonded in. There are several fabricators making this hood.

Anyone have recommendations on manufacturers or sources that are best and ones to stay away from.

63Corvette

Mine has an original hood (69 L-88) and that's what I recommend. IF they make one for your car, I would recommend ACP (Advanced Composite Products by Kerry Hitt for anything made of plastic or composite for Corvette.
http://www.acproducts.us/corvetteracebod.htm

MBrianB

Thanks but my 502 with Holley intake is too tall for original hood even though it was a 454 engine before.

The13Bats

Ecklers was my go to but hood fit will always be hit or miss,
And ecklers customer service has been lax for too long

Stinger fiberglass makes ecklers l88 hoods perhaps hit arnie direct,


Another option glass a scoop to your hood that already fits the car, i would assume.

NMT1957

There is an NOS L88 hood on Craigslist Pittsburgh but he's asking $3500. Ad says it's on Ebay too.

car junkie

I second the convert an original small block hood.

Unbelievable how time has effected panel fit on these cars. Unless you are super lucky, you're going to be doing glass work no matter which route you go.

hand laid looks bad anyway.

Mako72

Though neither one of the L88 hoods I have were made by ACI, the ACI hoods I saw at MidAmerica's Funfest show appeared to be well made. http://www.acivette.com/

Should a stock height L88 hood not provide enough clearance, here's a thread where CF member BullShark added height to his L88 hood.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-l88-hood.html

The13Bats

depending on who did it, i have seen it look like wads of wet paper towels,
But my L88 hood while hand laid at first glance looks press molded the work is so nice, the air box makes the L88 hoods look more finished to me, i have no clue who made it 70s item,

My ACI L88 flares hand laid also look good so it just depends

BigBill94

https://stingraycomposites.com/corve...od-race-weight

Never seen it myself, however sure looks nice in the pics.

3JsVette

I'll 2nd the ACI hood. It's definitely worth a look.

MBrianB

I think I need to change the intake.

I installed a new air cleaner today, three inch tall, that is dropped 1.5 inches. The top of the Air cleaner is at 5.5" above the drip rails of the fenders.

If I put a 2 inch tall filter on it I will be at 4.5" +/- above the drip rails.
This might fit the L-88 hood but will restrict the 502 I have installed.

My intake is a GM 12363407 which is the same as Edelbrock Performer 7161.

What intake will be shorter as well as perform like the GM Crate intake I have?

ajrothm

You can use the repro LT1/L88 air cleaner base, it is 2" drop. That with a 3" element will fit under an L88 hood with an RPM intake. I actually had an RPM air gap fit under the L88 hood but it would slightly rub when the hood deflected. I eventually went to a Vanacor 4" L88 hood and its awesome, unfortunately, they are out of business....

The Ecklers hoods used to be really good quality, I'd probably go that route.

3X2

Remember the L88 had the air filter inside the hood scoop. All the engine had was the base, seal and a small screen on top of the carb.

drwet

I bought an L88 hood for my '79 from Corvette Central. Can't tell you who manufactured it and it was at least 10 years ago, but I painted it and bolted it on. No issues and fit like the proverbial glove. Take it for whatever its worth.

DUB

As nice as your car is. I would modify a hood to fit it and not think twice about it.

Hopefully if you try the drop down base it will work.

DUB

ajrothm

The L88 base is the same as the LT1, L46, L79 etc etc.... only difference is the chicken wire and small lid....both of which you don't need to use....and ofcourse the hood plenum. A regular 3" element filter and stock chrome lid work fine and look better...

I dyno tested the L88 air cleaner with the chicken wire and mini lid and it was a joke.... Remove the chicken wire and mini lid and it gained 8 rwhp. It didn't flow much more then a traditional 3" element and chrome lid, which killed 11 rwhp.

MBrianB

Thanks DUB, I'm just not schooled in fiberglass and the body shops around here are full of Mercedes, BMW, Maserati, Rolls autos all in for body work. I don't think I would be able to afford having any of them do the deed on adding a riser and finishing the hood.

I may be alright where it is with the 1.5" drop base. If I can only get someone with a 502 and L88 hood, take a measurement for me from the top of the air cleaner to the drip rails I could tell if ACI, Ecklers etc would fit.

The13Bats

Is the filter in the hood part just a press wedge it in there idea,
I want to use an old school fly eye as a base no foam just screen in it and have my filter in my air box that stays with hood when open

DUB

IF for some odd reason you find yourself in the position that you DO need to modify hood. And knowing that is in something that you are well schooled in. I would be willing to guide you though it like I have done with many forum members who have never picked up sand paper and a block.

So you do have a back up plan if needed.

DUB

MBrianB

I think I solved the puzzle of why my engine and air cleaner are higher in relation to the fender drip rails than others.

I checked the body mounts and there is only a thin metal spacer between the body and the frame. I am ordering some poly body mounts and shim set to properly mount the body which I believe will bring the body up in relation to the engine. I should then be able to instal an L88 hood as is currently available from our vendors.

I should have thought to raise the bridge instead of lowering the river.