There are a number of hood scoop variations including raised hood scoops, “shaker” hoods, N.A.C.A. The only drawback of a hood scoop is the added exposure to the elements, however, most hood scoops include drain provisions in the air cleaner assembly to prevent water from entering the engine. As road speeds increase, air speed and pressure increase, providing increasingly greater airflow. Cold air is denser and includes a higher percentage of oxygen compared to warm air, resulting in improved engine combustion and added horsepower. When an effectively designed hood scoop is used, outside air is forced into the air intake, air which up to 50☏ cooler than air in the engine compartment. Other than bolting on a set of performance exhaust headers, adding a hood scoop is one of the most cost-effective performance methods to increase horsepower. The auto manufacturers truly capitalized on both the marketing aspects and performance benefits. Other domestic manufacturers followed in the ensuing years and by the 1960’s, many of the era’s muscle cars sported some type of hood scoop. The 1952 Mercury was among the first American cars fitted with a hood scoop. Some of the first production cars fitted with functional hood scoops weren’t early American muscle cars, but actually post-war European sports cars including the 1949 Ferrari 166 M Barchetta and Healey Silverstone.
Although a substantial amount of marketing was involved in the development of the phrases, the performance benefits of hood scoops are real. Ram Air, Cowl Induction, and Air Grabber are among the phrases that have been emblazoned on the hoods of some of the 60’s and 70’s most feared muscle cars phrases that refer to the induction of cold, outside air into the engine. Hood scoops (real ones, that is) not only look cool, but they can add a real performance boost.
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