Blocking hood vent above open (Steeda) CAI...

[COYOTEV8]

My Steeda ProFlow CAI is on the way, and I'm a little concerned about possible water intrusion via the hood vent located right above the open filter, especially when washing the car in a touchless car wash (i.e. the car is not moving and excessive amount of water is sprayed into the vent)

I know most people (incl. Steeda) say there is nothing to worry about, but I also found this video with an S197 showing otherwise - I don't want to take any risk.
[ame="[MEDIA=youtube]FCAf1ZWy8CU[/MEDIA]"]

I wonder what could be the effect if I just block that vent from the bottom, so no water could get in at all. I mean there is no hood vent at all on the European cars and they seem to be just fine. Also, JLT actually sold a hood vent blocker for the S197:
[ame="[MEDIA=youtube]PofUgDmAJec[/MEDIA]"]

This is my daily driver, I do not track it, or any hard use...

Opinions?

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[COYOTEV8]

P.S. I do understand the the hood vent is functional, and it improves performance, etc.. (albeit since it is right above the filter, the CAI enclosure box would separate it anyway from the engine bay when the hood is closed...)

What I'm wondering about: will the car be OK without one of the vent... (I assume so, but...)

 

[whatsup62]

I have the JLT and water gets in it all the time at car wash. That's why there is an open drain hole in the bottom of it. It's not a big deal. Who cares about European cars...this is American Muscle. I like the thought I can vent some engine heat out, I would also venture to bet that the engineers at Ford put in functional vents for a reason, air through the grill needs a release.

Edit: Canadian Muscle...

 

[stoli]

I have the JLT and water gets in it all the time at car wash. That's why there is an open drain hole in the bottom of it. It's not a big deal. Who cares about European cars...this is American Muscle. I like the thought I can vent some engine heat out, I would also venture to bet that the engineers at Ford put in functional vents for a reason, air through the grill needs a release.

Edit: Canadian Muscle...

The main difference is the JLT is back enough that the water drops in front of the filter. The Steeda is a little further forward and is directly below the vent. It doesn't hurt anything, but it does get wet and discolored from washing away the oil.

 

[COYOTEV8]

I have the JLT and water gets in it all the time at car wash. That's why there is an open drain hole in the bottom of it. It's not a big deal. Who cares about European cars...this is American Muscle. I like the thought I can vent some engine heat out, I would also venture to bet that the engineers at Ford put in functional vents for a reason, air through the grill needs a release.

Edit: Canadian Muscle...

Well, with the European Mustang (still an American Muscle :-) example I have tried to point out that the same car, same engine, same configuration etc... happily exists without the hood vents -> so I assume blocking the vent won't harm anything...

But to your point: installing any open CAI (which is of course closed - by the hood - otherwise it would suck in hot air from the engine bay) will prevent the hood vent passing any engine heat out, as it is separated from the engine bay by the CAI box...

See below, as the hood vent is within the box's perimeter, when you close the hood no hot air from the engine could get to the vent, instead it is venting the air from the grill intake only.

 

[stoli]

But to your point: installing any open CAI (which is of course closed - by the hood - otherwise it would suck in hot air from the engine bay) will prevent the hood vent passing any engine heat out, as it is separated from the engine bay by the CAI box...

1. It doesn't seal. The front side are still open when the hood is closed.
2. The vents aren't for cooling, they are for pressure release.

Jump to about the 1:30 mark.

 

[dubster99]

They're also for venting hot air from under the hood.

 

[paul123]

one functional vent is still good. I wouldn't want my air filter getting wet

 

[COYOTEV8]

1. It doesn't seal. The front side are still open when the hood is closed.
2. The vents aren't for cooling, they are for pressure release.

Jump to about the 1:30 mark.

Very good, but does not explain how the V6 and ecoboost (or the European GT) can survive without these vents... (not considering extreme use). I mean I'm sure these vents are "functional" at 160 miles/hour, but I have doubt they have any real function during normal daily use (i.e. 99% of the time/cars)

 

[paul123]

Very good, but does not explain how the V6 and ecoboost (or the European GT) can survive without these vents... (not considering extreme use). I mean I'm sure these vents are "functional" at 160 miles/hour, but I have doubt they have any real function during normal daily use (i.e. 99% of the time/cars)

I think the vents are for both pressure release (higher speeds) and heat extraction. For most people, they will be more for looks. Whatever benefit you get will be negated if the air filter is getting wet.

 

[RUN RICH]

Very good, but does not explain how the V6 and ecoboost (or the European GT) can survive without these vents... (not considering extreme use). I mean I'm sure these vents are "functional" at 160 miles/hour, but I have doubt they have any real function during normal daily use (i.e. 99% of the time/cars)

I disagree.

These cars get hot as hell and I'm sure even while sitting and off the hot air is venting through the louvers. I was actually really surprised and how hot the V8 gets.

 

[paul123]

My Steeda ProFlow CAI is on the way, and I'm a little concerned about possible water intrusion via the hood vent located right above the open filter

you install the hood vents? I would think they would be more useful in Texas than Canada. At least as heat extractors.

 

[stoli]

Very good, but does not explain how the V6 and ecoboost (or the European GT) can survive without these vents... (not considering extreme use). I mean I'm sure these vents are "functional" at 160 miles/hour, but I have doubt they have any real function during normal daily use (i.e. 99% of the time/cars)

Ask the engineers....I'm sure they love adding adding things just for the hell of it.

 

[daltron]

My neighbor was worried about this and attached a flat piece of metal so that any water coming in would drain right in front of the CAI.

 

[RUN RICH]

I can take a picture of the run off down the inside of the fenders. I DD so I can see the dirt stains and I visit the car wash every bloody week. Touch less of course!

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