Carbon Fiber Hood

logenl7 · 05-08-2013, 10:43 AM

Why dont you guys just wrap your hood in CF vinyl???? Easy fix, still lighter than wet carbon..

theDreamer · 05-08-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logenl7

Why dont you guys just wrap your hood in CF vinyl???? Easy fix, still lighter than wet carbon..

Because of the vents, or style.
Modifying the stock hood can work also but usually just as much as buying a CF hood.

Chuck33079 · 05-08-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logenl7

Why dont you guys just wrap your hood in CF vinyl???? Easy fix, still lighter than wet carbon..

I've always felt that you should either do real carbon fiber, or not at all. "CF" vinyl just doesn't look right to me.

Chuck33079 · 05-08-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Because of the vents

This too.

Jasonle · 05-08-2013, 11:04 AM

Here's my carbon creation hood. Fitment was perfect. Think I paid around $600. I love it.

SgtGoldy · 05-08-2013, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I've always felt that you should either do real carbon fiber, or not at all. "CF" vinyl just doesn't look right to me.

agreed. CF vinyl is ghetto looking and people that know CF can spot it from a mile away. Im going to attempt to wrap item in real CF but I wont do vinyl.

litespeed · 05-12-2013, 11:44 PM

I have a Seibon carbon fiber hood. I have had it for two years now, and keep it garaged at work and home. It is turning yellow and has two small cracks, one from a model at a car show leaning on it, and one from closing it too hard. It still looks pretty cool, and I do like it, but there is no performance gain from it.

litespeed · 05-12-2013, 11:52 PM

Carbon fiber is not all the same. There are many different resin systems that can be used, and a few different molding/ curing processes. Almost all of the aftermarket carbon fiber available uses the cheapest/weakest resin systems. I am pretty sure that all aftermarket carbon fiber hoods use some form of filler/backer like chopped fiberglass. I don't think even the high end "dry" hoods are full carbon fiber.
If you want to save a lot of weight, and get some horse power as well, go with a titanium exhaust!

theDreamer · 05-13-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litespeed

Carbon fiber is not all the same. There are many different resin systems that can be used, and a few different molding/ curing processes. Almost all of the aftermarket carbon fiber available uses the cheapest/weakest resin systems. I am pretty sure that all aftermarket carbon fiber hoods use some form of filler/backer like chopped fiberglass. I don't think even the high end "dry" hoods are full carbon fiber.
If you want to save a lot of weight, and get some horse power as well, go with a titanium exhaust!

But even then a Ti exhaust is really not better.
With a dry CF hood you are removing weight from the front of the car which is huge, while with a Ti exhaust is low and rear half. Also, with a good CF hood (dry or wet) you need to focus on two things, weight & ventilation. Being able to remove pressure and hot air is huge when trying to not lose power, keeping the car in its maximum performance area for as long as possible can be the largest factor.

Chuck33079 · 05-13-2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

But even then a Ti exhaust is really not better.
With a dry CF hood you are removing weight from the front of the car which is huge, while with a Ti exhaust is low and rear half.

I was just getting ready to type this. And I really don't think a thread asking about cf hoods is the place to say "cf hoods are crap. Buy one of my Ti exhausts."

theDreamer · 05-13-2013, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I was just getting ready to type this. And I really don't think a thread asking about cf hoods is the place to say "cf hoods are crap. Buy one of my Ti exhausts."

Yeah, a bit of a...don't buy X buy my product.
Also, seeing some of the dry CF hoods made by Varis/TS/etc I would say they are fully CF and very good quality. The only issue I ever hear about is the clear is not the best. Though it seems most buy it and just redo the clear and the hood lasts for years without yellowing or cracking.

EZT · 05-13-2013, 11:09 AM

I got the AMS CF hood for around 550$, fitment was perfect. I never intended to keep displaying the CF so I had it colormatched. I merely wanted some form of aggressive vents.

litespeed · 05-13-2013, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I was just getting ready to type this. And I really don't think a thread asking about cf hoods is the place to say "cf hoods are crap. Buy one of my Ti exhausts."

First of all, I said that I still like my hood, even though its not the best quality!
Secondly, an other user mentioned that for weight savings a battery is a better idea than a hood. I just threw in that a titanium exhaust saves a lot of weight and gaines power too. Just food for thought on weight savings.

litespeed · 05-13-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Yeah, a bit of a...don't buy X buy my product.
Also, seeing some of the dry CF hoods made by Varis/TS/etc I would say they are fully CF and very good quality. The only issue I ever hear about is the clear is not the best. Though it seems most buy it and just redo the clear and the hood lasts for years without yellowing or cracking.

I am pretty sure the Varis hoods are double sided carbon, with carbon on the under side carbon on the top side, but with fiberglass as the main structure of the hood.

Chuck33079 · 05-13-2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litespeed

Secondly, an other user mentioned that for weight savings a battery is a better idea than a hood. I just threw in that a titanium exhaust saves a lot of weight and gaines power too. Just food for thought on weight savings.

Gotcha. I see where you're coming from there.

05-08-2013, 11:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
Jasonle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3,509 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 25	Here's my carbon creation hood. Fitment was perfect. Think I paid around $600. I love it. /Angelo350Z/ and megalapagas like this. __________________ 2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

05-12-2013, 11:52 PM	#23 (permalink)
litespeed Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: los angeles Posts: 57 Drives: 09 370z nismo Rep Power: 15	Carbon fiber is not all the same. There are many different resin systems that can be used, and a few different molding/ curing processes. Almost all of the aftermarket carbon fiber available uses the cheapest/weakest resin systems. I am pretty sure that all aftermarket carbon fiber hoods use some form of filler/backer like chopped fiberglass. I don't think even the high end "dry" hoods are full carbon fiber. If you want to save a lot of weight, and get some horse power as well, go with a titanium exhaust! CarbonSignal likes this.

05-13-2013, 11:09 AM	#27 (permalink)
EZT Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gainesville Posts: 546 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 315	I got the AMS CF hood for around 550$, fitment was perfect. I never intended to keep displaying the CF so I had it colormatched. I merely wanted some form of aggressive vents. /Angelo350Z/ likes this.

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05-08-2013, 10:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
logenl7 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Marysville Ohio Age: 38 Posts: 357 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z 6M Rep Power: 13	Why dont you guys just wrap your hood in CF vinyl???? Easy fix, still lighter than wet carbon..

05-12-2013, 11:44 PM	#22 (permalink)
litespeed Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: los angeles Posts: 57 Drives: 09 370z nismo Rep Power: 15	I have a Seibon carbon fiber hood. I have had it for two years now, and keep it garaged at work and home. It is turning yellow and has two small cracks, one from a model at a car show leaning on it, and one from closing it too hard. It still looks pretty cool, and I do like it, but there is no performance gain from it.