2005 Mustang Suncoast Ram-Air hood. Opinions?

kj_cinci · 02-27-2007

Hi all... opinions please...

I will get a Ram-Air hood this spring. Had my eyes on the RKS Cali Dream but can't seem to get one at a decent price... Last one on Ebay went for more than I'd have to pay 'retail' sigh... plus shipping from Cali...

So I stumbled over this; eBay Motors: 2005 05-Up FORD MUSTANG Fiberglass Ram Air Hood Scoop (item 220051433680 end time Mar-20-07 13:54:56 PDT)

I know that's a bad picture and I have spent some time trying to comapir it to the Cali Dream: RKSport - The Performance Styling Specialists

It looks like the first one is 'sharper' more edgy and less flowing? It also look like the cowl is higher with maybe an outlet towards the windshield?

Also, why does it work with the Airaide? That has the filter in the stock location...??

What looks differances do you see? Which do you like better? What about the screens on the top one, can't tell what they look like?

The top one is local and I'll call them tomorrow and have a look maybe... if they can get me a good price (less than Cali Dream + shipping) and I like it of course.

I don't mind the harsher lines or higher cowl (if that's a correct observation?) I sertainly would not mind a gap towards the windshield to let over pressure and hot air out...

Anybod know ANYTHING about that hood? More pix?

And as I started, YOUR OPINIONS...

Thanks!

**stlwagon** · 02-28-2007

It looks good to me.. More like that CF hood a few have put on. Does it have some kind of ducting from the hood to the intake. That would be too cool.

kj_cinci · 02-28-2007

I'm guessing it does...?? they say it's a ram air hood, it has scoops and it works with an intake...??

**stlwagon** · 02-28-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kj_cinci

I'm guessing it does...?? they say it's a ram air hood, it has scoops and it works with an intake...??

I assume it would work with other intakes as well ?

kj_cinci · 02-28-2007

Me too... found this: Ram Air Hood Scoop they don't have the S197 on there though...

I really like that they vent air through the back and have rain water 'chanels'...

I hope to go see one tomorrow... oh, and I'll ask for my 10-20% additional HP's... 700 here we come! LOL!!!!

Dogstar · 02-28-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kj_cinci

Hi all... opinions please...

So I stumbled over this; eBay Motors: 2005 05-Up FORD MUSTANG Fiberglass Ram Air Hood Scoop (item 220051433680 end time Mar-20-07 13:54:56 PDT)

Also, why does it work with the Airaide? That has the filter in the stock location...??

To me, it looks like my Dream Hood. The cowl is a little higher but only takes a couple days to get used to it. If it will work with the Airaid CAI, it will work with any CAI that uses the factory position. I would spend the extra cash and get it from RKSport. Does Mr V come to mind?

kj_cinci · 02-28-2007

I don't think this is a cheapo copy... it's actually more $$ than the RKS one. The cowl looks higher and if you look in the middle you'll see the 'middle stripe' is sunk in and not raised... I think.

It was MrV's car that was wanky, not the hood...

Dogstar · 02-28-2007

I see what you are seeing, but it may be an illusion. There are a couple other things that remind me of the dream hood but kinda hard to tell from the pic. One being the screens in the scoops. And two, the rounded corners on the front where the lip matches with the fender. The item is listed as fiberglass, but the description says composite and resign? Makes me wonder. I would contact the seller to get all questions answered before making a bid. That's a hunk of change to be throwing out there not to get what you want.

Yes Mr. V had some issues with his cowl on the car, but I also think there were some issues with the hood as well besides not have any screens. I can vouch for the RK hood. The finish on mine out of the box was nearly flawless.

kj_cinci · 02-28-2007

What's the differance in materials fiberglass vs. composite and resign? "Resin Injection Molding and Hand Lay-Up" their website says...??

I'll go there tomorrow and ask but what shall I ask?

I will not pay over $600 and will pick up with own truck... see how that goes...??

MrV said the first hood was fine in fit, the RKS one fit exactly the same way, his fender was off...

RKS is still my #1, at least until I have checked this out... then maybe price and convenience (no shipping) may decide...??

Dogstar · 02-28-2007

Since you going to be there in person, I would ask about latch and hinge strength and if pins are needed. Look for flaws. A few pin holes are acceptable. Make sure screens are secure. Check the edges that run along the fenders to see if they are straight. Just means more prep time if not. The top surface is the most important, but depending on what your plans are for the bottom side, I would look at it as well. There may be a few rough spots. Looking again at the pic, I don't see any washer nozzles. Just a few thoughts to ponder.

kj_cinci · 02-28-2007

Those are good points!

I already asked about the washer nozzles. I aslo asked (in an e-mail) about the duct routing, the water barriers and drains and about air outlets in the back of the cowl.

I will have to remember to ask about reenforcements around the hinges and latch, also if it's thicker or reenforced under the cowl so it won't bow. I already have pins from one of my other 10 tries to score an afordable ram-air cowl good... sigh...

mrvandermey · 02-28-2007

Hey kj, that hood is a replacememnt hood, nto just a scoop. It is very similar to the CF hood mentioned by stlwagon. It is an imitation CD hood, the differenc ebeing it looks like you have a 3-4" cowl as opposed to the 2" cowl on the CD hood. Again, this is not jsut a scoop to add on, but an actual fiberglass hood.

Yes, on my first hood, I did have a few issues, most of which we repairable. The front fenders did to be adjusted inward for a proper fit on the first hood. The fiberglass was not perfect so unless you blocked the top of the hood, after painting it black you would have seen the imperfections. The screens were not attached.

The biggest issue was the raised corner, wshich the RKSport hood did the same thing. It was my car that was defectrive in that area. My RKSport hood did need prepping, but fender adjustment was minimal if any. I did have to enlarge the hinge holes for a perfect fit. Once I fixed the defect int eh cowl, it was all good.

kj_cinci · 02-28-2007

Thanks MrV... I do hope it's a whole hood for $800... lol

Have been in touch today and am hoping to get a deal and get it going...

3-4" high... man o man I'm only 5-11... will have to get a booster seat...!??!

Suncoast makes it BTW will go off here soon and try to find more pix and info..

Cowl height?
Windshield washer nozzles?
Air outlets after cowl?
Duct work? Including water 'stoppers' and drip off??
Reinforcements around cowl, latch and hinges?

kj_cinci · 03-01-2007

Found Suncoast on line and sent them my questions:

Questions about the 05 fwd Mustang Ram-Air hood.
Is it reinforced around the hinges, latch and under the cowl?
Hood pins recomended?
How high is the cowl?
Is there air outlets behind the cowl towards the windshield?
How does the ducting to the filter location look? Picture?
Does the air ducting have water barriers? What about drainage, where?
Where does the windshield washer nozzles go? All hardware needed included?

I'll keep you posted...

mrvandermey · 03-01-2007

Good luck my friend....it has the right look to compliment any ride. I am curious about the the water blocks or such (I know not that my car sees water falling from Heaven or rising from the earth).

Oh yeah, my bad on the hood scoop remark, I guess I did not read this thread carefully, I was under the impression you ariginally thought it was a hood scoop as oppossed to a hood, but then I reread it and retract that thought.