Deck Lid Stand-off -- which is better, Top or Bottom

[Fiatdude]

I've got one of these that is gonna get covered up -- so there is going to be just a little heat in the engine compartment



Now for the question -- Do I do the old school 2" stand-off at the top or do I do what I've seen a lot of guys doing recently, the 2" at the bottom???

Which is better/more effecient/better looking/more secure?? inquiring minds would like to know LOL

[Zach Gomulka]

Stock looks best, IMO. Propped both top and bottom would work best. I would start with it propped at the bottom, and try it out. If you need additional cooling, prop it at the top.

[Stephan S]

A pretty smart item...
http://www.cagero.com/cartluft/products.asp?id=23310&cat=High%2DTec+Motorhaubenaussteller&search=1
... sorry, it's in German and I don't think the product is available in the U.S.
Great idea though: these hinges slide; so you can either run the decklid close or open at the top. Perfect for the summer (open) or when it rains (close)!

[Jason Foster]

I think your best bet for cooling would be to start with running a fan belt

[Zündfunke]

Stand off at the top! So you don't have additional heat of the exhaust coming from the bottom.

[Zündfunke]

A pretty smart item...
http://www.cagero.com/cartluft/products.asp?id=23310&cat=High%2DTec+Motorhaubenaussteller&search=1
... sorry, it's in German and I don't think the product is available in the U.S.
Great idea though: these hinges slide; so you can either run the decklid close or open at the top. Perfect for the summer (open) or when it rains (close)!

Anyone got pics how these hinges look installed?

[BeetleBug]

Stand off at the top! So you don't have additional heat of the exhaust coming from the bottom.

I agree, and not to forget all the dust you get inside you engine bay with the lid open at the bottom.

[Lids]

A pretty smart item...
http://www.cagero.com/cartluft/products.asp?id=23310&cat=High%2DTec+Motorhaubenaussteller&search=1
... sorry, it's in German and I don't think the product is available in the U.S.
Great idea though: these hinges slide; so you can either run the decklid close or open at the top. Perfect for the summer (open) or when it rains (close)!

Anyone got pics how these hinges look installed?

I am sure Hayden (H67) from the greenhearts either ran or has a pair.

[Zündfunke]

I was thinking of this a couple of times in the past.
A mechanism to open and close the decklid at the top just in no time.
I eliminated this thought after a while due to the fact it´s kinda tricky with more than one hinge.
And NOW I´m sitting here again with a paper and a pencil to work out something.

Thaks Stephan...*gggrrrrrrr*

[Fiatdude]

I think your best bet for cooling would be to start with running a fan belt

How's this

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JJNaZRlCDPE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/JJNaZRlCDPE</a>

[carlito421]

A pretty smart item...
http://www.cagero.com/cartluft/products.asp?id=23310&cat=High%2DTec+Motorhaubenaussteller&search=1
... sorry, it's in German and I don't think the product is available in the U.S.
Great idea though: these hinges slide; so you can either run the decklid close or open at the top. Perfect for the summer (open) or when it rains (close)!

that's what I'm searching for!

Thanks Steph.

[carlito421]

well... 240€ it's hard. ouch

I think that I'll do a "home made" system...

[Jim M]

Take a look at these    http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=875711

[Zach Gomulka]

Take a look at these    http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=875711

A buddy of mine got a pair of those, JUNK!

[glenn]

I get a 10*F drop during August only with the bottom.

[Zach Gomulka]

That's interesting, Glenn. On my car I noticed it went up by 10-15 degrees.

[Lids]

But the ball allows one small miracle to take place.
.
.
.
.
.
The engine lid can bounce on the latch and flap the hot air away! 

[gizago]

Stand offs at the top allow more cool air in where the factory intended it, open at the bottom allows hot exhaust air and road crap to get dragged in in my experience.

[Zündfunke]

...found a better pic and a mounting-instruction (sorry only german) of the stand offs posted above.

[Jesse/DVK]

Stand offs at the top allow more cool air in where the factory intended it, open at the bottom allows hot exhaust air and road crap to get dragged in in my experience.

How does hot air get in than while driving?

[Rennsurfer]

Personally, I've never understood why anyone would want to stand off the top of the 'lid. But, to each their own. If you must do it, slightly stand it off (like Glenn's pic) on the bottom. However... it's your car and you're the one that has to be happy with it.

[Cornpanzer]

Stand off at the top! So you don't have additional heat of the exhaust coming from the bottom.

Ummmm, in this case, the exhaust is inside the engine compartment.

I hate the top kicked out.  Eventually you get sick of people telling you your engine cover is falling off.

The trick to making the bottom way more effective IMO is to have an air inlet at the front of the motor (firewall side) such as a piece of heater hose ducted through the front tin.  If you can get air into the front, it will create a positive pressure and allow air to duct out through the slightly open lid.  As I recall, John Plow commented on this extensivly years ago on the Cal-Look Lounge.

[TexasTom]

Personally, I've never understood why anyone would want to stand off the top of the 'lid. But, to each their own. If you must do it, slightly stand it off (like Glenn's pic) on the bottom. However... it's your car and you're the one that has to be happy with it.

Back in the days, we used to run these ... Eventually I just got tired of the look and having to use some implement to prop the decklid open.
The reason we used them was it was the most effective way to evacuate the heat (it rises you know ...) when the vehicle was stopped or parked to keep from vapor locking when taking off again, plain & simple.
TxT

[Rennsurfer]

Back in the days, we used to run these ... Eventually I just got tired of the look and having to use some implement to prop the decklid open.
The reason we used them was it was the most effective way to evacuate the heat (it rises you know ...) when the vehicle was stopped or parked to keep from vapor locking when taking off again, plain & simple.
TxT

Plain & simple? Still doesn't explain anything. I remember seeing that being done in the seventies and never understood why. If it were effective for something useful, VW's engineers would have most likely done something along those lines. Thankfully... a few people, including Gene Berg, decided to go a more functional route by standing off the bottom, slightly. Plus it's way easier on the eyes and actually serves a purpose.

Again, to each their own.

[glenn]

But the ball allows one small miracle to take place.
.
.
.
.
.
The engine lid can bounce on the latch and flap the hot air away! 

You must have a wimpy springs... mine does not move.

[Fiatdude]

Well, since I have NO tin around the engine plus most of the package tray has been removed BLAH BLAH BLAH -- I just want to get the most cool air movement I can get in the compartment.   I always thought that the air flow over the car would result in more air with the top popped open vs. air trying to sneak throught the bottom

[TexasTom]

Back in the days, we used to run these ... Eventually I just got tired of the look and having to use some implement to prop the decklid open.
The reason we used them was it was the most effective way to evacuate the heat (it rises you know ...) when the vehicle was stopped or parked to keep from vapor locking when taking off again, plain & simple.
TxT

Plain & simple? Still doesn't explain anything. I remember seeing that being done in the seventies and never understood why. If it were effective for something useful, VW's engineers would have most likely done something along those lines. Thankfully... a few people, including Gene Berg, decided to go a more functional route by standing off the bottom, slightly. Plus it's way easier on the eyes and actually serves a purpose.

Again, to each their own.

Duh ...
Dude,
I think you may have a small problem with cognitive reasonoing ...
I suggest a brew ...
Take care,
TxT

[Rennsurfer]

Duh ...
Dude,
I think you may have a small problem with cognitive reasonoing ...
I suggest a brew ...
Take care,
TxT

HAHA!! Um... if you're joking, Tom, it's pretty funny. If you're not... even funnier. Welcome to the real world. There's a little thing called having our own respective opinions towards everything. I have zero problem(s) with cognitive reasoning (I think that's what you're trying to spell). At any rate, have a fantastic evening and if, in my travels, I decide to enjoy an ice cold barley pop... I shall hold it up in your honor.

[neil68]

I only prop my deck lid at the top...this allows extra cool air into the engine bay to the dual carbs and the doghouse fan. My engine temps have always dropped whenever using the decklid stand-offs, and I use a "hoodlum" extension (Wolfgang International) to keep the stock decklid spring functioning correctly...no need for screwdrivers or other devices to prop up the lid during engine tune-ups.

One concern I have against propping the bottom, is that a "vacuum" is created which sucks air out of the bottom of the engine compartment under certain driving conditions (not always).  The carbs and fan are trying to draw in cool air and meanwhile air is being sucked out the bottom by high-speed air flow over the outside of decklid.  So, the carbs and fan are trying to pull in air, while it's being sucked out the bottom of the engine bay...a tug of war of sorts.

[glenn]

Something to note, I have a late model decklid with 4 rows of vents across. If you have a early car with no vents you might have suction from the bottom where in my car air flows in the vents and out the bottom.