WS6 or Raptor

[1963SS]

Hi Guys, I've read about three thousand and seventy-eleven threads about hoods and I,m going to buy one for my son. I have a few questions though. I like both the Raptor and the WS6 styles. Are they both about the same height? I like the Raptor because it doesn't have the horizontal bar through the middle of it. Is that the only difference? Can I just get the hood now and then add the ram air box for a Christmas present? No clearance issues?

Also, which manufacturer consistantly has the best fitment? Some of the posts I've read say some could be warped, some don,t line up with the fenders, etc. I,m not really a tight ass but probably wouldn't want to spend mega-bucks on a factory part. Thanks everyone and this is a great forum.

Keep on keeping on. --Bill--

[GULLETT17]

First of all in regarding styles, i like both also. The suncoast raptor will be a good quality hood, however, the ws6 style from them "looks" cheap imo. With either hood tho, i think they are way over priced for an aftermarket hood. Trufiber ws6 is an almost exact replica of the stock ws6 and is great quality. Trufiber is also decently priced at around $500. Another company I'd recommend, which is what i went with is US exoctics. They have both a ws6 (called the ws9 because of the firehawk heat extractors) hood and a superhawk hood, which is similar to a raptor but a little more aggressive. The ws6 ranges from $500-700 and the superhawk ranges from $600 -800. The problem with us exoctics is that they were gettin away from makin firebird hoods, so availability may be an issue

As for a box, stock ws6 isnt much improvement of the regular. Don't know much about suncoast, and imo volant is prob your best bet. As for clearance, it will vary depending on the manufacturer of the hood.

[Ryans99LS1]

it shouldnt be too hard to pick up a real one if you look around the for sale sections of a few sites. Most people let em go for around 300.

[Spaz]

get the Mecham titan hood!!!

[BIG GUNS]

get the Mecham titan hood!!!

Talk about ricer. That hood looks like somebodies nightmare.

[Spaz]

Talk about ricer. That hood looks like somebodies nightmare.

doesn't look ricer to me at all...

[Mr. Luos]

That hood looks like somebodies nightmare.

WS.6 style.

[JHayesLS1]

Get him a 3rd gen hood.

[TempleU_WS6]

Find a real WS.6 hood. Look online and see if any junk yards have any.

[1963SS]

Thanks Guys, I think I like the Raptor hood the best. Wow Spaz, talk about some heat extractors that Mecham Titan has them..........all of them. I've got to agree that it looks a little over the top. I found the Suncoast Raptor for 695.00 and I can go pick it up and save shipping.

I would assume that water is not a problem, right? If I'm traveling down the highway in a thunderstorm I'll not have to worry about unintentional water injection, will I? Thanks for the help. --Bill--

[1998 T/A]

that hood does not look ricey at all i love that style...im gettin one in a few months.

[wickedbeast]

that hood looks like it came from nopi as an aftermarket option for an Evo. just stick with the WS6

[1998 T/A]

every one has a WS6 hood...if you like the heat extractor hood go for it, i never see those anywhere.

[INMY01TA]

it shouldnt be too hard to pick up a real one if you look around the for sale sections of a few sites. Most people let em go for around 300.

I've never seen an OEM WS6 hood for $300 unless cracked or damaged. More like $800 and up. I have a US Exotics WS9, fits ok, not perfect. I was told you could use a stock ram air box with it but seeing how with the regular trans am air box the lid rubs the bottom of the hood I doubt it. Pics in sig.

[JoshieDoom]

I have the suncoast ws6 hood and DO NOT BUY IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO BUY THE SUPPLIED AIRBOX. I love the shape and style. its a bit higher than stock, no grilles tho and i hate the giant hole in the bottom for the lt1 style ram air.

Im going for OEM or VFN when I get a lot of other crap done.

[ou812]

I have the raptor hood with rear heat extractors , it's eight years old with no issues and i love the look .The ram air box is perfect with fitment to the hood and you will need to extend the air hose and the air sensor wire .

[suede]

I wish somone made a WS6 style with the extractors of the mecham hood.... would be on that like a fat kid after the candy in the cupboard....

[lemons12]

imo.. those two mecham birds look horrible... i hate them.. just because its got a special name doesnt mean anything.......

[El Toro Loco]

I wish somone made a WS6 style with the extractors of the mecham hood.... would be on that like a fat kid after the candy in the cupboard....

ive seen a guy here with that hood dont know where he got it or had it made custom looked pretty sick though

[suede]

ive seen a guy here with that hood dont know where he got it or had it made custom looked pretty sick though

Serious bonus points if you could find that one....