Hood liner - is it really necessary?
 

After having issues with the WMS racing intake pretty much ruining the hood liner, I am thinking about removing it completely. Is the hood liner really necessary? I have heard 2 different reasons on having a hood liner.

1. To prevent the paint on the hood from bubbling due to a combination of heat from the engine bay and from being in the sun (at the same time that is).

2. If a fire starts in the engine bay, the hood liner should melt onto the engine and smother the fire.

I can kinda understand the second one but not so much on the first one. Then again, if the car was on fire, burn baby burn. That is what I have insurance for.

So what do you guys think. Is it safe to remove it and go without one? If I do remove it I will most likely paint the underside of the hood since Ford didn't want to waste much paint in that area.

I removed mine when I screwed it up putting the hood scoop on. I was pulling those fasteners out really good until I got to the back of the hood when the liner started tearing. So I am currently sans liner, and have noticed no ill effects. I really don't notice much of any heat build up on the hood. It gets warm in the sun, but even after a hard run at night the hood really doesn't warm up to touch even with LT headers and no liner. As to fire, I'm with you, thats what insurance is for. I've heard some mention the seal around the cold air box, but lets face it on the C&L this thing ain't gonna seal the way its made and put in. I guess the only thing I could say is for looks with the hood up. The area under where the scoop is installed is not fully painted and appears to be a kind of brown/green on my black car. But I don't use it as a show car, if I did I would find another hood liner alternative than that paper stocker.

Cool, that is what I wanted to hear. I know the paint under mine is blueish/yellow. I do want the hood open at shows but not with how bad the liner looks now.

Do most aftermarket hoods have one? Mine doesn't. Some cars stock don't come with one - my 99 Jeep Wrangler. I don't think you have much to worry about. However, my Jeep did develop spider cracks in the paint after a few years of no hood liner, black paint, and Florida sun.

Hahaha I posted in your wms thread before seeing this one. I took mine off. It gives more room for air flow, makes the car sound a bit louder and then you won't have to worry aboot it. :banana:

Ditch it, that's my vote. :nice:

If it makes you more comfortable, the Saleen/PJ doesn't come with a liner.

I think it's more for sound insulation than anything else. I've seen a few engine fire videos on youtube and having a liner in those cars did little if anything in smothering it.

[quote=TacoBill;5585111I've seen a few engine fire videos on youtube and having a liner in those cars did little if anything in smothering it.[/quote]

LOL they probably ended up contributing to it......:rofl2:

If you take it off.Pull the hood off mask it and get a can of paint your color{$17 Tower Paint.com} a can of clear and go to it.

I've had mine off for well over a year now with no problems.

It is off. I just got back in from the garage. I ranked it off, removed the tabs and tossed it into the garbage. I will powerwash it tomorrow but won't have a chance to take the hood off the car and paint it before a show this Sunday. Ugh, if only I didn't have to work. Then again, no work, no play.

Woo Hoo! Grip it and rip it! (off)

I think your car is about 6 ounces lighter now, 8 ounces if you count the fasteners.

Ahh, just paint the underside flat black for that muscle car look. Easy, cheap Krylon does the job. It disguises all the extra metal of the hood frame and keeps the visual focus down on the motor. :nice:

I was thinking about doing it black but then thought ****, won't that look dirty all the time.

Mine doesn't. But it doesn't get driven much so maybe I'm not the best person to ask.

I've pulled the liner out of my last few Mustangs with no ill effects.

No problems with my Steeda Cowl not having a liner. Its nice and painted like the rest of the car.

http://www.06gt.com/coppermine/album...l_100_2355.JPG

Oh, so sexy...... :nice:

My liner's been off since strut tower bar creased it in mid 2006 with no ill effects on the hood. I got lucky, however, in that the underside of my Legend Lime hood was fully painted. I wipe it downs just aboiut every other car wash to keep it looking good. It is easier to clean the paint than it was trying to vacuum the hoodliner:banghead:.