Cowl Induction Hoods
If you would like to optimize the performance of your vehicle horsepower and speed, improving airflow to the engine is an excellent way to do so. Since the engine lies directly under the hood, making modifications to the hood and the air intake are the first steps in maximizing airflow and increasing horsepower. Cowl induction hoods have been installed on professional racecars for many years to enhance performance and bring a greater number of victories to the drivers and their teams. A cowl induction hood is a type of hood that has an open space near the windshield which allows a down flow of air to enter the engine compartment and provide the most ideal conditions needed to boost horsepower and acceleration capabilities. If you're looking for a cheap and effective way to make your vehicle faster, then you may want to consider the following information about the benefits, types, and costs of Cowl induction hoods.
Benefits of Cowl Induction Hoods
Since 1910 Grand Prix racers have known that Cowl induction hoods are mandatory parts to a successful racecar. The backwards facing scoop on the hood draws and utilizes cold, high-pressure air that naturally collects on the bottom of the windshield while the car is being driven. Various areas of the vehicle also attract high-pressure pockets of air, such as the front bumper, headlights, grille, windshield, and just above the wheels. Cowl induction hoods can be used in combination with other modifications that utilize these high-pressure pockets of air to provide maximum airflow and create the perfect mixture of fuel and oxygen for the engine. Cowl induction hoods also optimize intake clearance and engine cooling, and are therefore an ideal way to lengthen the overall lifetime of your vehicle by preventing overheating and keeping the engine at an optimal temperature at all times. Cowl induction hoods are also capable of going from intake to exhaust at low speeds, and through this ancillary function are able to allow hot air to escape while bringing cold air in at high speeds.
Types of Cowl Induction Hoods
Fortunately, you can have a custom Cowl induction hood made to your desired specifications, and there are many available on the market which are replicas of original manufacturer’s hoods. Thus, you don't have to change the appearance of your vehicle to install a cowl induction hood that will improve performance and lengthen the life of your car, truck, or SUV. Cowl induction hoods typically have two holes through which air can enter as it is forced down from the windshield or as it makes contact with the front of the hood. Some Cowl induction hoods are designed with the intake holes facing towards the front of the vehicle, while other more traditional models have the intake vents facing the bottom of the windshield. In general, Cowl induction hoods that are elevated further off the surface of the hood are capable of in taking more air, and are therefore typically more desirable than those that have smaller intake vents.
The Cost of Cowl Induction Hoods
The cost of a Cowl induction hood will vary depending on the model, manufacturer, retailer, and what type of vehicle it is intended to be installed on. Overall, prices typically range from $200-$500, with $300-$400 being the medium price range on the market today. When this cost is compared to other methods of increasing air from the engine, such as electric turbo kits and superchargers, it is easy to see how installing one of these hoods would be the first step in improving performance economically. It is important to factor in the cost of installation when calculating the total expense of modifying your vehicle with a Cowl induction hood.
