Superformance Coupe Rear sway bars/ Modifying hood

[solly]

This a 2 piece question/

1) The current rear sway bars that came from the factory are 44.5 inches long, 1.25 diameter solid bars, with 48 spline ends. They attach to a 10 inch arm on either side. From a lot of searching the Internet and speaking to the folks at Speedway Engineering (manufacturers of NASCAR bars), the effective spring rate for this stock sway bar is approximately 486 lbs. per inch.

Advice from those who have raced this car is that these bars promote oversteer, and should be milled down to 7/8 inch (leaving the splined ends at 1.25 so they can still fit the arms. The effective spring rate at 7/8 inch, with 10" control arms is approximately 180 lbs/inch, a huge reduction. Anyone have any experience with this?

2) My new induction setup requires approx. 2 more inches of hood clearance. I'd hate to spoil the lines of the car by adding a scoop, but without that (or a bulge), I cannot get an air filter of sufficient surface area for the engine's needs, even with a K&N Xcellerator top. Any advice? Thanks

Has anyone done any hood modifications for more clearance?