VETTEC599

The pad on my '99 FRC is showing its age. I am planning remove it and install a new pad/sound deadening materials. I have no desire to add a custom painted/custom pad - I just want something simple. Any thoughts appreciated! Thank you in advance. For my own knowledge - is any pad/insulation really necessary?

bjones7131

I have seen several c5s without the insulation, I doubt it will hurt anything.

Velocity_Vette

You can still (last I checked) purchase new OEM style hood insulators and a good handful of vendors offer them, including some having custom options. What's going to kill you though if you go the vendor route is likely the shipping. They're typically shipped freight in a fairly large oversized box as they can't be bent. If you can still purchase one from your local GM dealer check with them as you can often avoid shipping costs since it would come in for their regular parts delivery.

If the liner is physically still in good shape but simply looks bad - faded, material rising, etc - you can re-finish it. There's a few guides both here on the forum and elsewhere of owners who have re-finished them, including adding their own personal touches like painted emblems.

EDIT: Didn't answer the other part of the question. I too have seen individuals not run it but do not know of any ill-effects. At the worst, I would think that you would likely deal with discoloration of the hood from where the liner was (can be cleaned up with a good detailing) and maybe see higher hood heat if you were to physically touch it.

dadaroo

I bought 3 NOS pads when I bought my car about 4 years ago. They were about $125 each with no shipping costs from the local dealer.

They come in a huge box.

I had found a vendor who had them but they wanted about $200 for them and the shipping was $195.

If GM still has any there can't be many at this time.

Mr. Sam

Vetteman Jack

When I had my '00, I had a Motor City Mold hood on the car and with it the insulation pad would not work. Ran it that way for better than five years with no adverse effect on the paint. So yes, you can leave the insulation pad off if you so desire.

neutron82

you do not need the hood insulator, they are there to help keep noise down rather than heat retention... my blower was rubbing ever so slightly on a small piece of the insulator so I decided to take it off along with the hood light... in my opinion it looks much better without it

ezrider4u2

Roll without it...it helps with weight reduction Sorry, had to throw that in there. Aftermarket hood and painted-no issues even with supercharger.

T_Vert

the liner is also there to fall onto an engine fire to help smother it.

Dave

casper 1954

The hood insulation on my 2006 has a hole aproximately 3" x 3" I have not had any luck purchasing one from the various Corvette vendors and the local Chevrolet dealer said it was discontinued. I wouldn't mind purchasing one used that is in good condition or if anyone has an idea where I can purchase one that would be great, thanks and as always SAVE THE WAVE

GUSTO14

If you get to Corvettes at Carlisle in August, there are typically a few vendors there selling them.

Good luck... GUSTO

greast

I'm a retired Firefighter and IF the pad falls off and covers the engine, it actually prevents/blocks the water from a hose line from getting to the seat of the fire. The first thing you need to do is remove the pad for unimpeded access, which can be difficult. So, if you are planning on having an engine fire, leave it off. JMHO - greast

T_Vert

You'd think you'd have enough line pressure to blow that thing right off. I'm also an ex FF and never had that issue. If you pull that off and introduce a bunch more air that isn't exactly a great idea.

Dave

05MBMGTO

[QUOTE=T_Vert;1598487325]You'd think you'd have enough line pressure to blow that thing right off. I'm also an ex FF and never had that issue. If you pull that off and introduce a bunch more air that isn't exactly a great idea.

Im gonna go out on a limb and say that if you had an engine fire that required a fire truck and hose their isnt gonna be much left of the motor/car at that point anyway. LOL at that point that stupid pad isnt gonna make a lick of a difference on or off.
The only useful point of that pad is to keep valvetrain/engine noise down outside and look pretty.

T_Vert

[QUOTE=05MBMGTO;1598488582]actually the purpose is to limit air to the fire to prevent a largr fire. One that the property owner can contain hopefully. They can be effective at that but it also depends upon the source of fuel. That is why the hold downs (ups?) are thin plastic. The od of the clips melt quickly dropping the pad. Think of opening a door and a backdraft. If you don't introduce air it can't burn efficiently. .but what do I know..

Dave