I think you should vent the area just in front of the firewall out the side of the fenders like a (pardon the french) trans am did in the 70's and 80's. Place them as low and as far to the rear as you can behind the wheel. I don't think too many people would be looking there on a 4 door car, so it wouldn't be that obvious, at least not as obvious as a hinged hood. Paint it body color and have some fun. Make sure to use ducting / tubing from the fender well to the vent or the air in the wheel well will mess this plan up.
What do you think?[/quote]
I think I can move a LOT more air out of that engine compartment with sizeable (10" X 18"?) flaps on the back of the hood than I can with a couple of 4" round dryer vent hoses.
I'm not sure there's even room for those hoses, and they'd of necessity, have to have some 90-degree bends on them, which might not do the flow any good...
I'm gonna continue to work towards some hood-mounted, rectangular flaps, for now, but thanks for the idea; I might end up there, eventually...
Insofar as "at least, not as obvious as a hinged hood," just what do you think you'll see when you look at this? It will be all of the original hood contours and size; the only modification visible will be the slices that define the rectangles that will lift up in the back, and these two 1/4"-tall piano hinges, which will be painted the same color as the rest of the hood. Of course, as soon as it raises up, in the back, going down the strip, you'll be able to see that, but it's too late, then... LOL!
