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?
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Joined: 6/8/2006 From: SF Bay Area Status: online
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 say if it is cooler under there, but looks cooler anyway
The heat extractors are functional, but only when air is allowed to flow through them, but thats the premise behind the design. The hood without the heat extractors builds air pressure beneath it and at high speeds, along with considerable heat can result in the hood seperating from the car. Proof via the Feb 2005 Gran Am race at Daytona where the hoods of 2 mustangs seperated from the vehicles during the race. The Saleen Heat extractors assist in releasing the pressure compacted under the hood via the extractors while reducing 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 to be moving to push air through the extractors to keep them functioning thats why heat does not disipate well when the car is static (no air flow through the extractors). I hope that clears it up a bit on how they function.
Printable Version
Saleen S281 SC Hood (With Heat Extractors) - 
