2G Carbon Fiber Hood Visuals

[RevyDSM]

I am trying to figure out what CF hood to go with but one thing i am stuck on is the look of some hoods. I want my hood to look like the first three pictures attached and wondering what the difference in appearance is from the next two pictures. Is the reason you can see the carbon weave just the point of view the hood is looked at or what?

 

[TSiAWD666]

It's just the angle of the shots.

 

[txbluebeast]

I would say yes. In my humble opinion and having two cars with CF hoods and one with a CF hard top I would say that the angle at which you look at the hood will change the appearance. Also depends on wether the CF has been clear coated which gives it a glossy look and shows the fibers better. I've seen CF that is sanded down and not clear coated and it looks similar to the dull matte hood in one of your pics. Also make sure it's CF and not fiber glass I'm sure you know the differences. Personally I ended up painting my CF hoods on my vr4 galant and 2g eclipse to match the rest of the car. I wanted the Evo style CF hood for the venting benefit since the turbo gets pretty hot, I like the look a lot, and CF is light and very strong as opposed to fiber glass. Hope that helped some.

 

[raptoranderson]

I'm offended you didn't use my car as one of your examples

You can only see the carbon fiber from close up. Around about 8 or 9 yards and further and it just looks like a black hood. But trust me, up close it will look gorgeous installing hood pins is a terrifying experience and so is installing the hood for the first time, but after that it's smooth sailing

I'd buy a VIS carbon fiber hood if I was you (I got mine from Andy's Autosports) because the VIS hood uses the factory hood latch. You have to give it some muscle to push the hood down all the way but once you get it the first time and the hood starts to shape to the latch a little more it becomes as easy as closing the factory hood. I wouldn't slam it shut though ... I lay the hood down and then push down on it firmly.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Don't rely on a factory-style hood latch with a composite hood. There is too much risk of it failing resulting a hood lifting up and slamming into your windshield and roof and possibly causing an accident. Always use some form of aftermarket hood latch.

 

[raptoranderson]

I have both on my car just to be on the safe side, but that's a very good point ^ +1

 

[dsmsavage]

Getting the carbon wet sanded and cleared gives it a great depth. Also keeps it from yellowing and the epoxy cracking. I just had my fenders, hood, roof, and trunk done (all carbon fiber) and they look amazing.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Getting the carbon wet sanded and cleared gives it a great depth. Also keeps it from yellowing and the epoxy cracking. I just had my fenders, hood, roof, and trunk done (all carbon fiber) and they look amazing.

Pictures or it's all a lie.

 

[dsmsavage]

It's wasn't on my 2G. My FRS-

 

[Vegas Smith]

It's wasn't on my 2G. My FRS-

Sweet.

 

[dsmsavage]

FRS is going for a swap, so I'm building the DSM as my "daily". Took her to my shop last night.

 

[NMcCabe2g]

The angle is a huge factor with the CF hoods.

 

[boost97gst]

They look amazing. I would be interested in one but only if it had effective venting. I would like to do that to my stock hood, in fact, but the work..... Ya get one shot to do it right and i'm no body/paint man!

 

[Techn0Nut1996]

I'd buy a VIS carbon fiber hood if I was you (I got mine from Andy's Autosports) because the VIS hood uses the factory hood latch. You have to give it some muscle to push the hood down all the way but once you get it the first time and the hood starts to shape to the latch a little more it becomes as easy as closing the factory hood. I wouldn't slam it shut though ... I lay the hood down and then push down on it firmly.

I have always wondered about CF hoods using the factory latch. I have seen a lot of people install hood pins because they say the latch doesn't line up right, thank you for posting the company name and your experience. I really like the CF hoods but I hate hood pins so I'm glad to know that they can be avoided.

 

[JaysGSX]

Thought I'd chime in to say that I've ordered quite a few parts from Andy's Auto Sport in the past for some previous cars, and my experience has always been a positive one.

 

[Tanro]

I would say yes. In my humble opinion and having two cars with CF hoods and one with a CF hard top I would say that the angle at which you look at the hood will change the appearance. Also depends on wether the CF has been clear coated which gives it a glossy look and shows the fibers better. I've seen CF that is sanded down and not clear coated and it looks similar to the dull matte hood in one of your pics. Also make sure it's CF and not fiber glass I'm sure you know the differences. Personally I ended up painting my CF hoods on my vr4 galant and 2g eclipse to match the rest of the car. I wanted the Evo style CF hood for the venting benefit since the turbo gets pretty hot, I like the look a lot, and CF is light and very strong as opposed to fiber glass. Hope that helped some.

The evo style hood vent doesn't really effect underhood temps much at all. Maybe a bit at idle in traffic, but once you are moving the air flows down and under the engine bay not up and out the hood vent.

The Andrew Brilliant DSM hood is basically the only one with functional airflow.

if you could find one of the ones with the speed bump that has the scoop still, that might help a bit at speed. But its not really in a great spot for anything but keeping your timing belt cool.

 

[tunedbysaturnsl]

I have a Seibon Evo-style on my 2G. I brought the hood latch up like 3mm to catch the hood. Still have to use a little nudge to get it locked in. I’m also running Aerocatch latches as well for added measure. Nothing beats a freshly washed and wax hood. I have CF front fenders as well and it really sets off the front.

 

[Jacolu3]

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I'm also not a fan of hood pins so I went with the aerocatch.
This is a Seibon carbon fiber hood.

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