Is this hood really functional? I've seen a picture of the underside of the hood, and I know the vents have ducts to the front of the engine, but does this really effectively remove heat from the engine bay? Is this design similar to other functional heat extractor hoods?

Also, how does this hood handle water? Does it channel it all away from the engine well enough? Ever had any problems driving in the rain?

I have the extractor hood (not the "E" hood), and purchased it purely because of the lower profile. I had the fake scoop on my '02 and was a visibilty issue coming over rises in road. I have not seen one with ducts connected to vents, but rather the vent is just open underneath (maybe I mis-understand your post?) The vents are directly above some wiring in front of radiator, but has not been an issue with water. I drive my car in the rain all the time, and not a problem yet. I cannot sayif it is cooler under there, but looks cooler anyway [8D]

Jazzer The Cat venting frustration :)

Yes, the ducts are there, but, it does not effectively remove heat. It channels water just fine, however its a rarity if I'm in the rain.

The heat extractors are functional, but only when air is allowed to flow throughthem,butthats the premise behind the design. The hood without the heat extractors builds air pressure beneath itand at high speeds, along with considerable heatcan result in the hood seperating from the car.Proof viathe Feb 2005 Gran Am race at Daytonawhere the hoods of 2 mustangs seperated from thevehiclesduring the race. The Saleen Heat extractors assist in releasing the pressurecompacted under the hoodvia the extractors whilereducing lift under the hood.Allowing the air pressure out helps to disipate heat and reduces the buildup of pressure under the hood at high speeds.Therefore you need tobe moving to push air through the extractors to keep them functioning thatswhy heat does not disipate well when the car isstatic(no air flow through the extractors). I hope that clears it up a bit onhow they function.