Roadster hood scoop installation

[Claybuster]

Hi All,
I am building a MkIV and I am approaching the intimidating task of cutting the hole in the hood for ultimately installing the hood scoop, and it got me thinking about the scoop itself. I can't say I'm a big fan of the ABS plastic, but I know many have used it without issue, and attractive results. For those who have completed a build with the ABS scoop, have you modified the scoop in any way, such as sanding the bottom flat, or sanding down the leading (windward) edge of the scoop? Did you use some short strand fiberglass and/or filler to fill in the inside edges against the hood? It just kinda looks clunky to me...
Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!
Jason

[Jeff Kleiner]

There's nothing to dislike about the ABS scoop. I greatly prefer it to the old early Mk4 fiberglass ones with the only downside being that it can't be bonded and molded into the hood...OK let me clarify, it can be but it shouldn't be. I do trim the turned down front edge so that it's about 3/16" rather than the 3/8" or so as they come out of the mold simply because it looks better to my eye. Here's what they look like when I'm done:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=213236&d=1746039386

Regarding cutting the hole. First thing to understand is that the center of the hood IS NOT the center of the car! I do them different than what FFR says because it allows more flexibility when placing the scoops so that they can be positioned on the actual centerline (which in reality is the visual centerline although not necessarily the dimensional centerline). I use these dimensions so that the hole is centered in the recess on the underside of the hood:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=213237&d=1727105157

It's enough smaller than the scoop to allow it to be positioned on the centerline on the top without showing that the hole itself is slightly off of that line. For establishing that line you first need to install, adjust and gap the trunk and hood. Put the license plate lamp on and reference where it's center is then go to the front and find the center between the headlights. Pull a string between those two points all the way through the cockpit opening and that is your center.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=206388&d=1726846214

Use that for placing the scoop and laying out stripes.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=188291&d=1691160591

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=188292&d=1691160619

Hope that helps!

Jeff

[Claybuster]

Thanks, Jeff! U da man!
I have already laid out the centerline as you suggested. (I found your posts on that. Thank you!) This weekend I will trim the front edge of the scoop and locate it's centerline and take another look. Hopefully it won't mess with my head like it has been.
Thank you for all of the patience and wisdom you share with the rest of us as we learn through our builds. It truly is appreciated.
BTW, that red and white color scheme is gorgeous. Well done, sir!
Jason