Hood Seal Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Lanark IL
Hood Seal Question
Has someone had experience with these? It goes between the front edge of the hood and the body. Corvette Central advertises the following: Hood seal maximizes air flow to performance air intake systems by keeping more air in the intake area. Easily mounts with a self-adhesive backing. A must for use with performance air cleaners.
My question is does hood seal also help keep the engine bay cleaner? After a road trip, I always get a pretty good accumulation of road dirt that I usually try to blow off with compressed air, but that does not get it all. I end up wiping down the engine with a damp cloth each time. I've wanted to do a pressure wash, but I've heard on the Forum that this is not a good idea (probably due to all the electronics). How do you guys and gals get your engine bays REALLY clean???
My question is does hood seal also help keep the engine bay cleaner? After a road trip, I always get a pretty good accumulation of road dirt that I usually try to blow off with compressed air, but that does not get it all. I end up wiping down the engine with a damp cloth each time. I've wanted to do a pressure wash, but I've heard on the Forum that this is not a good idea (probably due to all the electronics). How do you guys and gals get your engine bays REALLY clean???
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I have it and noticed an immediate 25HP improvement! 
Just kidding! However, IMO it does indeed keep the engine bay cleaner, especially near the CAI. It also fills in the gap between the hood and the front fascia to match the side fender trim engine bay rubber.
Just kidding! However, IMO it does indeed keep the engine bay cleaner, especially near the CAI. It also fills in the gap between the hood and the front fascia to match the side fender trim engine bay rubber.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 666
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From: western springs illinois
Has someone had experience with these? It goes between the front edge of the hood and the body. Corvette Central advertises the following: Hood seal maximizes air flow to performance air intake systems by keeping more air in the intake area. Easily mounts with a self-adhesive backing. A must for use with performance air cleaners.
My question is does hood seal also help keep the engine bay cleaner? After a road trip, I always get a pretty good accumulation of road dirt that I usually try to blow off with compressed air, but that does not get it all. I end up wiping down the engine with a damp cloth each time. I've wanted to do a pressure wash, but I've heard on the Forum that this is not a good idea (probably due to all the electronics). How do you guys and gals get your engine bays REALLY clean???
My question is does hood seal also help keep the engine bay cleaner? After a road trip, I always get a pretty good accumulation of road dirt that I usually try to blow off with compressed air, but that does not get it all. I end up wiping down the engine with a damp cloth each time. I've wanted to do a pressure wash, but I've heard on the Forum that this is not a good idea (probably due to all the electronics). How do you guys and gals get your engine bays REALLY clean???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I had one on my previous C5 and can't say as to improving CAI efficiency, but like others have mentioned, my present one seems to collect a heck of a lot more dirt and dust in the bay without it. Definitely going to get one for this car too.
DSTURBD
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Melting Slicks
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From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I have one and it was strictly to keep water from dripping onto my Black Wing air cleaner. Besides all the jokes about increased HP, it does seem to keep the engine bay cleaner. However, I would do it yourself. Buy some generic bulb type self adhesive weather stripping from one of the auto parts stores or home improvement centers. You can usually buy 10 or more feet for less than the "special hood seal" from the aftermarket vendors. The weather stripping will look similar to this:
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I've noticed both of these benefits with my hood seal.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Lanark IL
Many thanks for your post (and all the others). I will be installing the hood seal on my '98 Coupe. Any tips to get the seal evenly aligned?? Looks like you only get one chance with the self-adhesive backing.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Endicott New York
Oldtimer
If you have a Blackwing or something similar exposed air filter, be sure to wipe any water off the hood (if it's wet or raining) before opening the hood. Otherwise the water will run down onto the filter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
Clean area well b-4 install. I had one corner that kept coming loose so I used a small piece of double sided tape. As said by others it looks better & does help keep water & some dust out of the engine compt. I got my seal mat'l from a home center & also used it around the C-5 tail lights.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: South Shore, KY
I installed one of these seals back in the winter. I took my car on a 400 mile round trip this past weekend and when I made it back and cleaned up the car I noticed minimal dirt on my CAI and surrounding areas.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Fords, NJ
Throwing my 2 cents in as well.....They do a great job of keeping dust out of the engine bay. One thing I wasn't pleased with is the adhesive that's applied to it. I cleaned the area, used a degreaser and less than a year it started to come off at the ends. I wound up removing it and used 3M Weather Strip Adhesive to make it stay put.
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You can probably save a few dollars buying similar tubing at a big box hardware store, however I remember buying mine from Mid-America as an add on to my order for free S&H so I think I pretty much broke even and it was pre-cut and ready to be installed.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Walhalla South Carolina
Does anyone have a pic of the home center material and what section of the home center is this material housed? Is it like a garage door seal or what? How big is it, 1/2 or so wide. Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Hopatcong New Jersey
