GT4 Hood Vents. Options

[njccmd2002]

I know some of you prefer to keep the main vent uncovered and had it for many years, and not a problem with it. Fine. keep it like that.


Unfortunately I had done that, and in couple of months, it did not do me any good. My engine got weathered, and exhaust manifold rusted.

That center plastic drain, can the water spout be rerouted, I have heard the position that the water hits the radiator and its hot, and it cracks, but i would think toyota would not have done it otherwise.

any ideas, i want to go back to the GT4 hood once i fix it, but wont like to deal with that mess.

your comments are appreciated.

[richee3]

I found the post that tells about the radiator cracking. It was in the GT-Four Front End Conversion sticky.

7. Will it be bad if snow or rain fall in through the center hood grill?

All GT-Fours came with a plastic cover mounted between the hood grill and the hood insulation. It catches rain water and directs it to the front where it falls on the radiator improving cooling. However, this weakens the end tank of an oem radiator due to the changes in temperature (expansion and compression particularly in cold weather climate) on the composite material. After 2 years my oem rad developed a crack causing the engine to spew out coolant when it was about -40 degrees. so I purchased a metal radiator (from performanceradiator.com aka USA Radiator). Most people remove this plastic cover as it improves cooling by releasing the hot air trapped in the engine bay. There is no real potential hazard with rain or snow falling through since rain drops and snow flakes will quickly evaporate as it reaches or comes in contact with the header or heat shield. If your car can withstand an engine bay wash, then it should withstand small rain drops or snow falling through.

So it seems an aftermarket aluminum radiator should be good.