Progress on the GTO has been slow, but it is still moving forward. Also, keeping two project cars moving forward is not the easiest...

That said, I have a small update on the GTO. A while back you might recall seeing pictures of when I had the GTO hood 3d scanned. The idea was to have a digital representation of the hood so that something could be made for the hole. When I was at LS Fest I met a couple of guys from a company called Reversion Raceworks. They specialize in custom 3D printing project, specifically for cars. I emailed them after the show and decided to work with them to design an insert for the hood.

They did the design work and I also had them print a prototype for fitment purposes. The print was done in PLA and as you can see it has thick layers. This was done to keep the print cheap and fast.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/11/01/GTOV3-945.jpg



https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/11/01/GTOV3-946.jpg



https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/11/01/GTOV3-947.jpg



https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/11/01/GTOV3-948.jpg

The fit is spot on. It is as if it was made just for this hood...LOL

Now that the insert is done, I am thinking a clear acrylic cover would look pretty cool. My business logo can also be engraved on the bottom of the cover, so it would show through, but the top would be smooth.

What do y'all think?

Andrew

Louvers?
 

Or louvers to let heat out like the 2014-2015 Camaro?

This is still a design exercise and many options are on the table.

Andrew

I like the idea of letting the heat out of the engine bay and I also like the idea of louvers. Is your plan to make the final piece billet or 3d printed plastic ?

All options are on the table at this point.

Andrew

This is a Pontiac, does anybody else see the resemblance in shape to a shaker scoop?

That's no accident...This is what used to be there:

https://j.hmjimg.com/2021/03/28/GTOV3-063.jpg

But the new turbo combination doesn't allow me to make the shaker functional, and I really didn't want to ruin the shaker by just attaching it to the bottom of the hood.

I'm trying to do something different. Besides, there is only about 1/4" clearance at the front of the opening between the bottom of the hood and the intake manifold. The intake manifold was actually modified to fit under the hood.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/05/13/GTOV3-921.jpg

Hopefully it all makes sense now...

Andrew

More Plenum Volume?
 

Would it make sense to add more plenum volume toward the back of the intake?
Following the hood line more closely vs tapering down in the back as it does now?
Would there be a performance advantage to making it taller and following the plane of your custom engraved plate up front?

Might be more interesting visually too if you go with a ZR1 styled plexi insert...

Lots of things are possible, but I am not changing the intake at this point.

Andrew

I'm not an engineer, but plenum volume does affect what rpm the engine makes power, amongst a myriad of other things too.

As far as solely speaking airflow, that I do have hundreds or more hours on my flow bench. My guess is the taper is engineered to speed up airflow as it travels rearward to aid filling rear cylinders( it may not really speed up, but it won't slow down and get lazy over the distance of the manifold.) Air will speed up as cross sectional area is reduced just like the taper of intake runners and cylinder head ports.