skk72

iTrader: (1)

Hey Guys, I was wondering what is the best CF hood out there. please post up your hood or if you have detail info on type of hoods. Looking for the Best fitment and lightest. I havent weighed my OEM hood so if anyone already weighed it and compared to others please post
thanks

xjongsangx80

iTrader: (15)

I wouldn't count on weight...most of CF hoods fit great but if you are concerned about the weight, expect to pay $2K for true dry carbon CF hood.

Z04

iTrader: (15)

there is no "best"

RBlover69

iTrader: (2)

there is a best....just depends on what weave and brand you like. But to be honest there are none that i seen that are lighter then oem alum so then its like wtf is sthe purpose. And dry carbon is only available if you go to war with a country over WMDs that arnt there .

yogipower

iTrader: (16)

+1

u gotta find what do u like the most...

skk72

iTrader: (1)

wow so there is nothing out there that is lighter than the oem hood unless you go dry carbon?

aloh

iTrader: (26)

The only real benefits to a CF hood is aesthetics (if you like carbon) and cooling (if you have vents)

adamtaylorpcb

iTrader: (7)

true

turismo

iTrader: (33)

Some of the fiberglass hoods are lighter than the carbon fiber ones

eltness350

iTrader: (58)

if i remember right my seibon cf vt hood weighed in at 3lbs lighter....if u want weight reduction....hatch/doors r where u will really see a difference...

amf813

iTrader: (1)

Do the vents cause any issues with water entering the engine area?

Greedy4nismo

iTrader: (2)

will cause your engine bay to be dirtier than normal...most hoods with vents offer some sort of rain guard to prevent excessive water from entering the engine bay

Z04

iTrader: (15)

hmm, let's figure this one out. hole(s) in hood + rain = yep, you guessed it, water in the engine bay. even with the drains some water will still get in

hershell

iTrader: (5)

Has anyone actually weighed a CF hood and a stock hood to see what the difference is?

ZKansasZ

iTrader: (10)

you have a CF hood, I believe that you can do that simple task!!!

Jim@Showstoppers

iTrader: (157)

Mastergrade hoods are compareable to dry carbon weight. Seibon has a dry carbon line-up and the 350z hood weighed around 9.5lbs and cost $2000+ if I remember correctly. Mastergrade and Asuka hoods weigh 12lbs and cost around $900-$1100. Seibon wet and laid are around 18-19lbs and cost around $600.

As far as rain entering the engine bay, many of the hoods from Seibon, Mastergrade, Asuka, Vis, etc come with removeable rain guards, but not all.

I actually made a pretty good thread that helps understand carbon fiber and the processes used on another site. It explains the difference between wet hand laid, vacuum bagging, and "dry" carbon. I'll try to find it.

Jim@Showstoppers

iTrader: (157)

This is the case with some hand laid carbon fiber pieces because they are generally just a fiberglass hood with a sheet of carbon fiber resin'd ontop.

There isn't one hood that is superior to others. It's all a matter of your goals for the car. All are good options, just remember that in this game we call modding you ALWAYS get what you pay for.

sinister350z

iTrader: (1)

OP, is your car strickly time attack where 5-10lbs will make a difference? Or is your Z a DD?

Z1 Performance

iTrader: (564)

I know the C West hood, even in FRP form (which I have) is 6 lbs lighter than stock. I've never weighed the carbon version, but I know it is lighter than the FRP one. The one thing I love the most about my hood is it literally fits just like an OEM unit. Zero unsighly gaps, no uneven stance, no adjusting the latch to get it to sit the way it should.

To the OP - many of the hoods out there are heavier than stock..even vented ones. I used to have a Seibon TS and it was several lbs heavier than the OEM unit

imonlykidden

iTrader: (11)

Just go CF for look like i did. haha