Camaro Zl1 Heat Extraction Hood Bracket
The Camaro ZL1 Heat Extraction Hood Bracket plays an important role in securing and supporting the hood's heat extractor assembly while helping maintain proper airflow through the engine bay. Whether you're replacing a damaged factory bracket, restoring your ZL1 to OEM condition, or upgrading components during a hood modification project, choosing the right bracket ensures proper fitment, durability, and long-term performance.
The 6th Generation Camaro ZL1's hood is clearly a work of art, and admired by many. Not just for its beautiful lines, and converging materials but most all, because it is functional. Unfortunately, GM was required to balance extracting as much heat as possible while minimizing the intrusion of water into the engine bay. The GM solution was a large and unfortunatly restrictive water guard. While this design serves its purpose in heavy rain, it inevitably constrained the hood's cooling capacity, and worst of all, this limitation has gone largely unaddressed by the aftermarket… until now!
Inspired by the formidable GT4.R race car, we set out to create a sleek, cost-effective solution that delivers quantifiable performance benefits, with a minimalist form factor. We achieved this by replacing the restrictive factory rain guard with our precision-engineered, 3/16” thick all-aluminum GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket. Installing is quick, and will help ZL1 owners unlock a 70% + increase in airflow area allowing for better heat extraction and cooling potential, while maintaining the current carbon insert location and angle. For those weight reduction nerds, this upgrade also sheds around 2 pounds over the OEM rain guard.
Although the engine bay is designed to handle water contact, we recommend this modification for fair weather driving only. Installation is a breeze, and includes upgraded stainless steel hardware, or you can utilizing all existing factory hardware. The GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket is meticulously crafted from thick .125” aluminum, following the natural lines of the hood, and finished with a matte black powder coat finish to maintain a clean, OEM aesthetic.
Below are the results of our first street driving test. More high speed and track results to follow.
Underhood Ambient Temperatures measured after a (45 min street / freeway drive with our 900hp ZL1) and a 3 min. idle with hood closed on a 72F day. This was a light drive with moderate acceleration intended to mimic normal driving. Average oil temps were 185F during the test as evidence.
Near Radiator Support (balanced both sides) = 27F Temp Reduction
Near Last Coil Pack (balanced both sides) = 15F Temp Reduction
Surface Temperatures measured once the hood was opened.
Katech 103mm TB = 11F Temp Reduction
DMS Supercharger Lid = 13F Temp Reduction
Katech Cast Valve Covers = 19F Temp Reduction
Coated American Racing Headers = 28F Temp Reduction
Because this test was conducted with light driving only, higher temp reductions can be expected during hotter days and more extreme driving. Stay tuned for independent track testing results…
The GMS High Flow Hood Bracket is a must have for those who race or drive in warm / hot climates, considering how much heat is produced by the supercharged LT4 engine modified or not. Just another way Griffin Motorsports is working hard to help you keep your ZL1 cool!
This inexpensive upgrade benefits all driving situations, not just on the race track. We have tested this on our 1,000hp car for over 4,500 miles, speeds up-to 150mph, and dozens of car washes with no issues. Installs in 20 minutes and can easily be reverted back to OEM in 10 min or less for harsh weather seasonal driving.
Matching Decorative Reservoir Caps; By popular demand we now offer a bundle discount if you want to add this beautiful set of 3D printed reservoir caps designed to mimic the hood brackets satin wrinkle black powder coat. For those who like to coordinate, it is a great addition. You can read more about them HERE. Use discount code “HOOD+CAP” to save $20 on the reservoir caps!
Hardware Options; As you can see from the photos, and by popular request, we now offer (3) levels of hardware.
Option.1 - $0 Extra, supply your own M6 bolts, as the OEM’s won’t be long enough.
Option.2 - $10 Extra, includes (11) 316 SS flange head bolts.
Option.3 - $15 Extra, includes (11) two piece flat head decorative bolts with a gloss black tapered washer base for that upgraded look. This is what I run on my car. Looks super sharp and defiantly worth the few extra bucks in my opinion!
What’s in the box;
(1) High Flow Hood Insert Bracket (Color of your choice)
(8) Black Plastic Push Rivets to cover old holes (note; the insertable barb needs to be trimmed to fit inside the hood’s threaded hole until we can source a better fitting product, which is why we are throwing these in for free)
(1) M6 Jack Nut + (1) Rivet Nut (suggested to install / see instructions below)
What YOU will need to provide:
Simple hand tools (Putty Knife + 10mm Socket + H14 Allen Wrench + 1/2” stubby step drill bit for jack not install or a rivet nut installation tool)
Fitment: 2017-2024 Camaro ZL1 only. Note; we have been told this item is a must for ZL1’s with a 2650 supercharger and port plates as those applications end up needing to drop the engine cradle to fit.
INSTALL GUIDE can be downloaded by clicking THIS link.
High Flow ZL1 Heat Extraction Hood Bracket
The 6th Generation Camaro ZL1's hood is clearly a work of art, and admired by many. Not just for its beautiful lines, and converging materials but most all, because it is functional. Unfortunately, GM was required to balance extracting as much heat as possible while minimizing the intrusion of water into the engine bay. The GM solution was a large and unfortunatly restrictive water guard. While this design serves its purpose in heavy rain, it inevitably constrained the hood's cooling capacity, and worst of all, this limitation has gone largely unaddressed by the aftermarket… until now!
from $135.00
GMS High Flow Hood Bracket: Solving a major Airflow Restrictions on the 6th Gen Camaro ZL1
The 6th Gen Camaro is an incredibly capable platform from the factory.
GM gave these cars:
Excellent chassis balance
Strong aerodynamics
Serious cooling systems
Aggressive styling
But there’s one area that becomes a problem very quickly on modified cars:
Under hood heat extraction, because the amount of heat trapped inside the engine bay accelerates heat soak dramatically.
The Problem: Hot Air Has to Go Somewhere
Most people focus only on:
Heat exchangers
Expansion Tanks
Oil coolers
But they forget one critical part of the equation:
Airflow out of the engine bay.
Because cooling systems only work efficiently if hot air can escape.
If the engine bay becomes pressurized with trapped heat:
Radiator efficiency drops
Heat exchanger performance suffers
Underhood temperatures climb
Intake temperatures increase
This creates a thermal bottleneck that limits performance consistency.
Why the OEM Hood Vent Is More Restrictive Than People Realize
The OEM Camaro hood extractor looks aggressive—but it’s not functional at all.
Underneath the CF hood insert sits a restrictive internal support structure and insert system that what designed to channel incoming water, not extract heat.
The Solution: GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket
The GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket was designed to improve airflow extraction through the factory hood vent area while maintaining a clean OEM-style appearance.
This is not simply a cosmetic modification.
It is designed to:
Increase hot air evacuation
Reduce engine bay pressure buildup
Improve cooling system efficiency
Help reduce heat soak
Why Hood Extraction Matters on High Performance Cars
At speed, airflow across the hood creates a low-pressure area near the hood vent.
That low-pressure zone helps pull hot air out of the engine bay.
The better the extraction:
The lower the underhood pressure
The better the cooling airflow through the radiator stack
The more efficiently heat is removed from the system
This improves:
Cooling consistency
Thermal recovery
Overall airflow efficiency
The Relationship Between Pressure and Cooling
One of the most misunderstood concepts in cooling is pressure differential.
Cooling systems depend on airflow moving:
Into the grille
Through the heat exchangers
Out of the engine bay
If hot air cannot escape efficiently:
Airflow slows
Pressure builds
Cooling efficiency drops
This is why airflow extraction matters just as much as airflow entry.
Why Modified LT4 Cars Generate So Much Heat
The Eaton TVS supercharger creates substantial thermal load.
As boost increases:
Air compression increases
Discharge temperatures rise
Intercooler demand rises
Underhood heat increases dramatically
At the same time:
Headers increase radiant heat
Larger blowers increase airflow demand
Track driving adds continuous thermal load
Without proper heat evacuation, engine bay temperatures continue climbing.
Heat Soak Affects More Than Just Power
Most people think heat soak only affects intake temperatures.
But excessive underhood temperatures can also impact:
Supercharger efficiency
Cooling system recovery
Wiring and electronics
Plastic and rubber component lifespan
Intake air temperatures
As temperatures rise:
Timing gets pulled
Power becomes inconsistent
Thermal recovery slows
Why More Airflow Out Helps Airflow In
This is where the GMS bracket becomes extremely important.
Improving extraction through the hood:
Helps lower engine bay pressure
Encourages greater airflow through the radiator stack
Improves overall system efficiency
This means:
Better cooling airflow
More efficient heat exchanger operation
Improved thermal stability under load
The Difference Between Cosmetic Vents and Functional Extraction
Many aftermarket hood modifications focus on appearance.
But airflow management is about:
Pressure zones
Heat evacuation
Aerodynamic efficiency
The GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket is designed around improving real airflow behavior—not simply changing appearance.
Benefits of Improved Hood Extraction
On performance-oriented Camaros, improved hood extraction can help:
Reduce engine bay heat buildup
Improve intercooler efficiency
Improve radiator airflow efficiency
Improve recovery between pulls
Reduce thermal saturation under aggressive driving
This becomes especially important on:
High horsepower street cars
Road course vehicles
Warm climate builds
Ethanol and boosted combinations
Why This Matters for Road Course Cars
Track driving creates continuous thermal load.
Unlike a dyno pull or short acceleration burst:
Heat continues building lap after lap
Cooling systems become saturated
Recovery windows disappear
Improved hood extraction helps the vehicle continuously evacuate heat during sustained operation.
Real-World Benefits You Can Feel
Proper airflow management leads to:
More consistent performance
Better thermal recovery
Reduced heat soak
More stable intake temperatures
The difference is often most noticeable:
During repeated pulls
In traffic after aggressive driving
During long track sessions
In high ambient temperatures
Why Buy from Griffin Motorsports
You’re not just buying a hood bracket.
You’re getting:
A solution developed around real LT platform heat issues
Real-world testing and airflow understanding
A product designed to improve actual cooling behavior
Every product offered through GMS is selected based on:
Performance
Functionality
Real thermal limitations
Not just appearance.
Who Should Consider the GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket?
If your Camaro ZL1 has:
Increased boost
Ported blower
Headers
Or see’s Track use
You should strongly consider improving underhood airflow extraction.
The more heat your car generates, the more airflow management matters.
Final Thoughts
Making power creates heat.
Managing that heat is what separates:
Consistent builds
fromHeat-soaked builds
The GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket helps improve one of the most overlooked areas of the LT platform:
Underhood airflow extraction.
Because cooling performance is not only about bringing air in.
It’s also about letting hot air out.
Frequently Asked Questions About GMS High Flow Hood Insert Bracket
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It improves airflow extraction through the factory hood vent area to help reduce underhood heat buildup.
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Removing hot air improves cooling system efficiency and reduces engine bay pressure.
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It can help reduce heat soak and improve thermal recovery, which may improve intake temperatures indirectly.
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No. It benefits both street and track-driven vehicles, especially modified combinations.
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Excessive pressure reduces airflow efficiency through the radiator and heat exchangers.
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No, we suggest this for fair weather only.
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Improved extraction can help improve overall airflow movement through the cooling stack.
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Compressing air increases temperature significantly, especially at higher boost levels. All that heat needs to go somewhere.
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Yes, improved airflow extraction can help reduce thermal buildup underhood.
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Absolutely. These cars generate substantial thermal load under boost.
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Yes, by helping the cooling system recover more efficiently.
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Not directly, but improved thermal management helps maintain consistent performance.
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OEM designs must balance airflow, cost, water management, structure, and noise requirements.
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No, it is designed to improve functional airflow extraction.
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Because the product is built around solving real-world LT platform heat management problems—not just appearance upgrades.