Hood insulation: Why? Do you keep it or don't you?
 

I posted this over in SquareLand but I figured I would see if I could get input from people that hang out in other parts of the forum since the topic applies to more than squarebodies.

I've had some vehicles with hood insulation and some without. From a high performance mindset, I can't see how it would help. Unless you live way up north in Coldlandia or Coldaska and have a hard time maintaining operating temperature, I don't see how there's a benefit except at initial startup/warmup. I can more easily make a case that it's there just to suppress sound. We all know that NVH is really important to the manufacturers. I would imagine that quiet seems smooth, and smooth + quiet probably help sell vehicles on test drives. Once up to operating temperature, it seems that any insulation would have a negative effect on performance. There is a lot of air going over the top of the hood that could draw heat out of the engine compartment. The closest thing to the hood is typically where the air and fuel are being drawn in. Any drop in temperature in that area sure seems like it would be a performance gain however minimal.

I'm considering pulling the hood insulation out of all of my rigs. I don't mind hearing the motor when it's doing its job. And generally speaking, if it's not revving up, then I don't think it's going to transmit much noise through the hood through the windshield and into the cabin. And I don't mind startling innocent bystanders and woodland creatures when I drive by. What do you guys think: Keep it, add it, toss it?

Re: Hood insulation: Why? Do you keep it or don't you?
 

my 81 came with the insulation...but it looked crappy...so I replaced it... more for visual than anything

Re: Hood insulation: Why? Do you keep it or don't you?
 

Some say it's to keep the paint from fading due to engine heat others for noise. Because of the thinner metal used it's probably for both reasons but I see more vehicles with hood insulation that have faded hood paint than I did when they didn't have insulation.

Re: Hood insulation: Why? Do you keep it or don't you?
 

All about engine noise!

Re: Hood insulation: Why? Do you keep it or don't you?
 

I ripped that moisture trapping crap outta there. Now I can watch the tune on the engine just by driving down the road!

Re: Hood insulation: Why? Do you keep it or don't you?
 

Mine didn't have any from the factory (1972), and I ain't adding any...

Plus... I happen to like engine noise. :lol:

Gary