Okay fellow xB owners:

Here are a couple of pics of the WRX-style scoop I'm thinking about installing. This is a pic of the scoop with the opening facing forward (needs to be drilled out):



And this is with the scoop opening facing the rear:



So I guess I'm asking for opinions as to which version looks better, if at all. Also, for those of you who think the scoop would look good, should it be left unpainted, or painted to match the hood?

BTW, this scoop could be made functional with the opening facing forward. When I test-fitted the scoop for these pics, I lifted up the hood to see what would be underneath, and one could rig up a hose that would run from the scoop to the TB. With the opening facing towards the rear, it would vent the engine heat very nicely.

 

facing forward looks cool. paint it so it would match the color of your xB. cant wait till you install it!

 

Face forward, mos' def'. It's a WRX-style scoop, that's how it was meant to be. Paint to match, and you're ready to roll.

 

mmm.. either way, body color to match is the way to go..

if you go backwards, might i suggest moving it up more? towards the rear of the hood? like over the sprayers.. if possible, a side profile pic would be nice to see..

facing forward, it should be where you have it in the pic, IMHO..

i wonder if facing it backwards would be better though, performance wise.. you know, vent the hot air out and let the front grills and / or cold air intake work better?

 

Wow. Thats really not so good looking.

 

only if you blend it in from sliding it ino place from underneath

 

Not good looking at all...looks a bit tacky on the xB . . . dunno

 

Thanks for the feedback so far. I haven't made up my mind yet whether to do it or not. But if I do, I'll have to think about getting it painted to match, and it'll definitely go with the scoop facing forward. Unpainted, it matches the aftermarket upper grill I installed, along with the stock black middle and lower grills. I'll have to cut out the opening, or maybe swiss cheese it with a bunch of holes, then put some window screen mesh behind it. With the 3M adhesive tape that's on it, combined with that adhesive promoter stuff they have for interior wood kits, that thing should stick like it was permanently attached, w/o having to use screws or rivets, or getting it fiberglassed on.

 

looks good

 

Well.....it is different. To each his own...

 

maybe if I saw it painted I would like it but dont approve right now...also I kinda like the forward ways just would like to see it painted and molded in

 

Checked with the place that installed my sunroof, and they said it wouldn't be a problem installing it. They even have a shop they use that will paint it to match, and will use some adhesion promoter to make sure that scoop stays stuck. I'll have to take this one step at a time. I'm not sure I want to do it just yet, but maybe if I had it painted, I'd be more inclined to get it installed.

 

please, what ever you do, mold it on to the car. Dont leave it like those civics with the LUND tape on 'scoops'