Hey guys, I've seen mentioned on this site somewhere that removing the radiator fan shroud allowed more air into the engine bay and into the air intake (after market)......has anyone done this or am I imagining things? If so, was there any noticible improvement anywhere?

Thanks,
Jason

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Red 99, JL Flip Chip, Airaid, Kameleon Head Unit, Thunderforms.

 

This is an idiotic idea. Do you really think Ford would put this in if it weren't needed. They could save millions a year leaving it out. Fan shrouds have been on cars for over 50 years for good reason. The shroud makes the fan suck air from the front of the radiator thru the radiator. Without the shroud not near as much air will come thru the rad making temps hotter which will decrease horsepower, gas mileage, and engine life.

 

Its not as 'idiotic' as you might think. I didnt remove the fan shroud, but I did remove the plastic shroud above the radiator where the cooling system schematics are attached. I've found that the truck runs cooler waiting around at the track and in slow-moving traffic. I dont know how useful it would be to people up north but it really helped this summer when the truck was running but not moving much. The fan still pulls air through the radiator fine, but the extra airflow through the engine compartment reduces ambient temperatures.

 

Nathan, thx. That's what I needed to know.

Jason

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Red 99, JL Flip Chip, Airaid, Kameleon Head Unit, Thunderforms.

 

Well, Nathan at the track I open the hood until I get to the pre launch area. Around town my truck has never overheated.

 

Another idea after removing the plastic cover is to remove the seal at the back of the hood to cowl. This will let the air escape that you just brought in, pulling some of the hot air out. We may not be overheating, but every bit does count.

 

Just for the record,Ford fun weekend,My best was a 13.21 until i filled my intercooler with Ice water and filled my radiator res with ice also.My truck was warm ,my fluids were cool,my time dropped to a 12.9@105.85 Temps do make one hell of a difference.

 

Nathan

Make sure your Hood latch is in good shape. Cause at speed you are putting a lot more stress on it with the plastic piece missing.

Wouldnt want your hood flying up in your face.

Doug

 

The plastic filler panel has nothing to do with the hood latch! Removing the filler will help get cool air in the engine compartment. Lloyd

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2000 Black L #2189. Airaid & Superchip R9. Drag Results: Best ET: 13.07 Best MPH 103.09 Best R/T .501 (twice) Best 60' 1.631 on F1's 1973 Cutlass Supreme 455/450HP 4 speed. Too many Mods to list! 95 Olds Aurora 91 S10 305TPI/700r4 project 2000 freightliner FL60 Rollback tow truck My garage overuneth

 

PFA
I did the same "mod" on my L by removing the weather seal and adding a small block to lift the hood slightly, thereby creating a low buck cowl hood. You can actually see heat escaping during cooler weather.

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2000 Black Lightning, Snuglid
Custom Bed Carpet
Clear Corners, Lightning banner
Tinted Windows, Custom air intake
2" drop, VTech Taillight covers.
NLOC #377
Build Number 1405/4966
DOB 3/21/00
See pics of '00BlackLightning at:
http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294555843

 

Hell..just take off the dad gum hood..and be done wit' it...jeeeeeeesus.... LOL

nathan...merry x-mas...how are those tonka truck tires doin'??? LOL

 

LS

The Filler panel directs air through the radiators. It also keeps the air from pushing on the hood at speed. Air moves like a fluid which will take the path of least resistance, it will go around the radiators if given that option. Think about it the air at 100 mph is rushing into the engine compartment, with out the filler the hood becomes an air direction device.

One way to tell for sure is to test it. Pull the filler out unlatch the hood and hit the gas, I'll do the same with the filler piece in place and we'll compare notes.

Doug

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Picked up Silver 2000 Lightning 2/28/00!!
1st run 13.9 sec 1/4 !! Best Run 13.43
drbdkb@hotmail.com

My Web Site www.SVTLightnings.com

2000 Lightning, FMS 3.73 gears ( Expensive ), PSP 4 Way Chip ( Retired due to pinging ), PSP Intake, Valentine 1, Snuglid, Bedrug, Lighted Ford Logos, Superchip R9, and 3m Panther Black nickel tint, Clear corners., Boston Acoustics 5x7s and Components, Alpine v12 5 channel Amp and JL Sub.