I've been searching for light-weight parts (hood, fenders, hatch, etc.), for my 92 Civic for a while now. It seems that I'm limited to expensive carbon-fiber parts, which are nice, but I'm planning on painting over them anyway. Does anyone know of other less expensive materials used to make light-weight body panels and where I can buy them?

 

I would also like to know.

 

Fiberglass?

 

Fiberglass is an alternative. http://www.speedmachineperformance.com/home

 

Carbon fiber hoods can be found for so cheap though, I'd think it'd be cheaper than fiberglass. Both of them would need to be painted so that doesn't factor in really.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Regal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Carbon fiber hoods can be found for so cheap though, I'd think it'd be cheaper than fiberglass. Both of them would need to be painted so that doesn't factor in really.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Fiberglass fenders, hood, front bumper, doors, sunroof plug, hatch or trunk lid is going to be cheaper than carbon fiber.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rodrez. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Fiberglass fenders, hood, front bumper, doors, sunroof plug, hatch or trunk lid is going to be cheaper than carbon fiber. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Sure, if they're made by the same company. But you can find CF hoods for 150 bucks all over eBay...granted they're fiberglass underneath, but that's not a problem in this case.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Regal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Sure, if they're made by the same company. But you can find CF hoods for 150 bucks all over eBay...granted they're fiberglass underneath, but that's not a problem in this case.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's why I provided the link, they're made by the same company. If it's not on the site, Matt Moreland/Speedmachine can order it. He's the largest fiberglass dealer on the west coast.

 

I appreciate the responses. What are the weights of OEM, CF, and fiberglass hoods? Does carbon fiber weigh the same as fiberglass?

 

Any even cheaper alternatives to fiberglass?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 8point6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any even cheaper alternatives to fiberglass? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope.

just complete remove the part and don't replace it w/ anything.

 

just remove the skeleton, and get hood pins all around

 

Is there any alternative to hood pins? Like some type of under-hood device to keep the hood latched? I want to avoid using the pins if I can.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 8point6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there any alternative to hood pins? Like some type of under-hood device to keep the hood latched? I want to avoid using the pins if I can. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Dzus fasteners, pretty small quick release latches. alot cleaner than hood pins.

 

As for the Dzus clips idea, what size and how many are recommended?

Any other ideas?

 

bump

 

In my experience with fiberglass parts, the weight difference isnt much

 

Whatever you do dont go fiber glass, itll look like **** after driving and all the vib, take a hole saw bit and cut holes in the frame rails under your hood

 

dzus look clean but the problem is that they cannot lock. unless you have a garage theft should always be considered.

i'd recommend four of them on a hood w/o support skeleton/latches

 

Thanks for the suggestions.