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When I install my Blackwing on my 04 Z06, should I also install a hood seal on the front hood area? I have heard about sealing up the front hood area because of water draining down by the filter. Should I leave the seal off so that I get a little air flow to the Blackwing through the space between the front end and the gap in the hood? I know the the gap is small but it does let some air flow in and out through the hood. What do you people think? Thanks...
Just a subjective opinion here ... but I think the hood seal is a good thing for the Blackwing. It's pretty much exposed to the elements, and water coming in would saturate it. I went ahead and installed one when I put my Blackwing in, just to be safe. There should be plenty of air available otherwise.
You might want to consider just buying some quarter-round shaped weather stripping instead of spending $14 on what they sell as a hood seal. It's soft rubber and hollow in the middle, and should be readily available in a hardwared store.
Just a subjective opinion here ... but I think the hood seal is a good thing for the Blackwing. It's pretty much exposed to the elements, and water coming in would saturate it. I went ahead and installed one when I put my Blackwing in, just to be safe. There should be plenty of air available otherwise.
You might want to consider just buying some quarter-round shaped weather stripping instead of spending $14 on what they sell as a hood seal. It's soft rubber and hollow in the middle, and should be readily available in a hardwared store.
I did the "highperformance" hood seal too I was worried about water finding it's way down to the Blackwing during washing and driving. A side benefit is that my engine bay stays a lot cleaner with it in place. I believe someone said Autopalace carries this trim gasket material and for like $12.00 you get enough to do 3 cars.
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I installed the hood seal on mine and run the Blackwing. Sure helps keep the dirt out and water keeps off the filter. The seal can be made by buying a piece of automotive weatherstripping at a hardware store. Pretty cheap.
Talon90 is correct! I got a package at AutoZone and it did my 98 and 02 ZO6 with about 18" left over!
I cut the air box on my 98 Coupe for more air flow! The water runs right in on the filter! Before the hood seal install it rained one night and froze later that morning! The K&N filter media was frozen solid and the car would hardly run other than IDLE!!!
The hood seal will prevent that and your engine and engine bay will stay MUCH cleaner!!!!
Here is what the seal looks like!
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BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Nov 15, 2004 at 01:35 PM.
just installed a blackwing two weeks ago...installed a hood seal at the same time...does seem to keep things a little cleaner inside the engine compartment...notice that many people have a problem with the adhesive on the seal...mine's holding ok for now...will re-attach it with some 3m when comes loose...
I have a Blackwing and put in the hood seal because I found that the water coming in was washing out the filter oil slowly but surely. That being said, I also noticed that because of the hood seal, my intake air temperatures run much higher, so much so that sometimes the PCM starts pulling timing (reducing HP). This was especially apparent during my last trip to the track which was on a 85+ degree day. My IAT was sometimes as high as 158 degrees because the engine was pulling more air from the engine compartment than from outside during idle. I have since removed the head seal and am looking for some other possible strategies for getting more fresh air to the filter, but still protecting the filter from water.
I have a Blackwing and put in the hood seal because I found that the water coming in was washing out the filter oil slowly but surely. That being said, I also noticed that because of the hood seal, my intake air temperatures run much higher, so much so that sometimes the PCM starts pulling timing (reducing HP). This was especially apparent during my last trip to the track which was on a 85+ degree day. My IAT was sometimes as high as 158 degrees because the engine was pulling more air from the engine compartment than from outside during idle. I have since removed the head seal and am looking for some other possible strategies for getting more fresh air to the filter, but still protecting the filter from water.
It sounds like the hood seal is important to have installed too keep water off of the filter. I never "track" the Z so I should be fine during the hot summer months. Thanks...