A quick update, and end, to this thread.
I decided to not cut my hood. There are many reasons but one of the biggest is the expected impact on economy was pretty small.
Since I've joined ecomodder I've been faithfully tracking my mpg. The biggest effect on mileage, without a doubt, is time of day. If I leave home for work during "rush hour" and wind up stuck idling in traffic my mileage for that tank is crap. I have a flexible work schedule, so the biggest improvement to my mileage is to travel during off peak hours.
I've decided the garden edging on the bottom of the bumper was a good improvement
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...mods-5835.html.
My next project is a 1985 Toyota MR2. If I'm stuck in traffic it should be more efficient to feed a 1.6L engine. But mainly more fun to drive...