I've got a question and i hope someone might have an answer or tip. I'm going to put a functional cowl hood on my El Camino. Now for it to fully funtion, do i need all the wiring harnesses and all the parts for it? Just not sure as to where to start on all of the parts.

The ZL2 hood has two doors, Will. The outer door which is vacuum operated and a inner door that is operated by an electric solenoid. With the inner door closed, the carb will draw air from the air cleaner snorkel. A switch on the accelerator linkage energizes the solenoid and opens the inner door when the pedal is pressed far enough. With the inner door open, the carb can now draw air from the cowl area. The outer door is spring loaded to be open. When the engine starts, manifold vacuum closes the door. Under hard acceleration, manifold vacuum drops off and the spring opens the outer door. Now the carb can draw air from not only the cowl but the opening in the top of the hood as well. Do you need the wiring? Depends on how accurate you want to be. I have the inner door in mine but no solenoid or wiring. The inner door stays in the open position all the time. This allows it to breathe from the cowl all the time instead of getting the hot under hood air. The only draw back I could see would be a cold engine in a cold climate during warm up. The outer door works normally and although may have little affect on performance, is cool to look at.

You'll need

Hood

Outer door

Outer door supports (X2)

Vacuum pod bracket

Vacuum pod

Vacuum hose tie

Inner Door frame

Inner Door

Inner door bushings (X3)

Electric actuator (inner door) solenoid

Wiring harness

Wiring harness grommet for hood

Kickdown switch bracket (for pedal)

Kickdown switch (actuator switch for CI)

The electric actuator switch (kickdown switch) is the same one as a THM 400.

Air cleaner Base

Aircleaner Lid

Aircleaner Flange

Aircleaner flange to hood seal

Spark arrestor

Depending on the intake/carb combo the factory spacer between the air cleaner and carb may or may not be needed.

Hope I didn't skip anything but if I did I'm sure someone can remind me.

why I <3 my Goodmark

My FUNCTIONAL hood is a Goodmark. Hey if you want the look and function you gotta pay. I'd estimate $8-900 in parts to make it factory correct. You can buy about everything re-pop. IMO there is NO cooler option than functional cowl induction. Ever stab the throttle and watch the hood door open up all the while hearing your carburetor trying to suck the clouds out of the sky? If you haven't you're missing out. I would not have a 70 Elcamino (or Chevelle) without that option.

I've got the hood so far and just trying to figure out all i would need. It seems there are different kits but none are complete. There is always something else..... I do appreciate the responses. Just gives me an idea of what to start looking for and pricing.

BTW, on the kickdown switch..is it mainly for an auto trans? or is it still needed for 4 speed? that was one thing that was confusing me, two different wiring harnesses.

I used to have a 71 SS454 Camino, but it's been so long ago i forgot how it all hooks up.

There are 2 different wiring harnesses. The one for the four speed goes from the pedal to the fuse box and from the pedal to the inner door solenoid. If you have an THM400 automatic it is split off and also goes to the pin on the side above the pan.

My FUNCTIONAL hood is a Goodmark. Hey if you want the look and function you gotta pay. I'd estimate $8-900 in parts to make it factory correct. You can buy about everything re-pop. IMO there is NO cooler option than functional cowl induction. Ever stab the throttle and watch the hood door open up all the while hearing your carburetor trying to suck the clouds out of the sky? If you haven't you're missing out. I would not have a 70 Elcamino (or Chevelle) without that option.

You know I'd have to say you're right; unless you're building on a poor ole college budget where what you put into the car is what you get back from scholarships!

I think then it's ok to go with a nice 2.5" cowl fiberglass hood at a bargain from the turkey rod run in daytona for a couple hundred dollars :D

I wish Goodmark would make a steel cowl induction hood for my 74. I'd like to have one with no more than a 2 inch cowl like the 70's had. I've seen fiberglass but the cowls are usually 4-6 inches and look goofy on anything but a dragster.

:D