Wraping up new hood design. Need feedback first.

[SnakeBitten]

To clarify, I take no offense at constructive feedback. The good is nice, it lets me know when I'm on the right path. When a majority of people do not like something I've done, it is VERY helpful when they say so. The designs I do have improved in the past because of this. Sometimes I get so focused on a certain thing, I completely miss what is obvious.

In the end, the reason most of my designs seem to work well is because they are not mine. Most come right from DC. The new hood here has an obvious inspiration. The hardtop design for the SRT was based on the great design of the soft top shape. The Street Serpent has key elements taken from the Comp Coupe and showcars. Etc, Etc.

It's like a mix of the best things I like of what has been done before. The hard part of my job is making them work together to make sense, avoid gaudy and overdone yet stay as exciting as possible.

Once again, thank you all for your feedback.

Jeff

I hear where you are coming from Jeff..It seems Chrysler creates the parts but they need you to fit them in the right places....Obviously Chryslers designers could have done what you did but they didnt....you deserve all the credit for putting the Viper puzzle pieces together the better than they did...SRT10 is nice as is but had it left the plant looking like your vision it would have sold out nationwide....Your kit is the only one Ive seen that I wouldnt change anything about....thumbs way up...

 

[JDMoney]

Jeff, I would like to purchase one of these hoods as well. Please let me know when they are available.

Thank You

Joe M.
[email protected]

 

[Racer Robbie]

I like the design a lot but I would like you to be sure that the hot air that is expelled from the hood openings does not get sucked into the A/C-Heater inlet by the windshield. This is a huge problem on GEN 3 cars. If you doubt me just start up your viper and measure the A/C temp when the engine is cold and then again when it is hot. You will see a dramatic increase in the cabin temperature from the A/C-Heater inlet by the windshield sucking in hot engine air from the rear right hand hood vent. Has anyone solved this problem?

Robbie

 

[SylvanSRT]

That is why Dodge redesigned the hood to start with, for better more controlled airflow and hear management. It appears that Jeff's hood closely mimicks this design theory and location of the hood vents.

 

[CarDude]

I think it looks awesome.

 

[Racer Robbie]

SylvanSRT

Have you seen any ways to modify the heater intake so it does not draw in hot engine air? I have asked this before. has anyone removed the hood liner on their viper or have they blocked off the passenger hood vents while driving on the street?

Robbie

 

[repiv]

The SRT engineers talked about the relocation of the hood vents being situated to a lower pressure area of the hood to allow more heat to escape the engine bay. They didn't talk about whether or not the relocation addresses the issue(if any) of that hot air being somehow put into the cabin of the car.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

SylvanSRT

Have you seen any ways to modify the heater intake so it does not draw in hot engine air? I have asked this before. has anyone removed the hood liner on their viper or have they blocked off the passenger hood vents while driving on the street?

Robbie

I won't be able to actually test this for a couple of weeks, but by simply looking at the layout and size of the vents its almost seems impossible that it can't help. The question is to what degree.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lemke]

The sculpting is now finalized and slight design changes were made based on comments and suggestions. The upper skin is being molded today.

Jeff

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

I'd say it looks better than the 08. The lines seem sharper.
I like to see a photo from the drivers seat, looking out, over the hood.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

I'll do that when painted on the car.

Jeff

 

[SylvanSRT]

i would have no idea about this nor have i heard about anything with the intake, i have been told that by blocking off a couple of the vents in the stock 03-06 would reduce some cabin heat but dont know anyone that has tried it sucessfully or not

 

[Racer Robbie]

i would have no idea about this nor have i heard about anything with the intake, i have been told that by blocking off a couple of the vents in the stock 03-06 would reduce some cabin heat but don't know anyone that has tried it successfully or not

Sylvan has a great idea here so I took a long look at this problem on Friday and I agree that blocking off the passenger side vents will solve part of the problem. I found another problem though. It is so obvious I can not believe that D did not correct the problem. If you open the hood you will see a strip of foam at the rear of the hood that touches the lower center of the windshield. It is only in the center. Hot air from the engine can go between the back of the hood right into the heater vent intake. I made up some foam strips and installed them on each side of the original foam in the center of the hood. Now heat does not come in from the back of the hood and the A/C is cooler. Instead of roasting I am now only melting! I am going to do what Sylvan said above and block of the vents in the hood next.

I will keep you all posted.

Robbie

 

[SylvanSRT]

i was told(and don't remember how many i think two of the louvers on each side, and also dont recall if it is the front or rear two), but i would not block all of them! way too much heat build up and nowhere to go!

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Definately do not block all of them.

 

[repiv]

Definately do not block all of them.

if any at all

 

[Racer Robbie]

i was told(and don't remember how many i think two of the louvers on each side, and also dont recall if it is the front or rear two), but i would not block all of them! way too much heat build up and nowhere to go!

Totally agree.

I meant to convey that blocking some of the passenger side louvers that dump hot air into the heater inlet might help solve the problem. Blocking off the drivers side would be a waste of time.

Robbie

 

[YELLOH]

I think it is a job well done .Looks sweet

 

[AlbertFattal]

Jeff, your car looks INSANELY good!