Okay, seems the flamethrowers are starting to warm up...

Let's discuss the Function vs Form of CF hoods. It seems like this is a heated subject. Many people here want them...but for what reason? The small amount of weight savings? Looks? Some people are complaining about the looks...the fit and finish. Hmm...this makes for a good flame war.

 

I want one because my daddy and my mommy who live in korea have them. And because I can't compete on the show circuit without one. And because all my friends will think I'm cool if I get one. And because it'd look so neat-o on my white integra. And because...

 

Good topic YD. I've been wondering the same thing. There is something about the "look" of them that I like (especially on CW) - but how functional are they really?

 

As previously expressed, my opinion is this; 500+ dollars for something that saves you 20-30 lbs is not a performance mod. The realtime guys race for a living and I dont see them running around with CF hoods.[edit: if they are even legal???]

I believe that you can do whatever you want with YOUR car weather you want it to look nice or go fast but I think that some people are a little harsh around here on other people who do something to their own car they dont like because it is just for show yet most people are backing the carbon fiber hoods. Just my $.02


[Modified by Albino Dragon, 1:51 PM 6/21/2001]

 

Err...

For NA cars, we are eeking 2-3whp out of some rather pricey mods...
Losing weight is the best way for an NA car to get faster times, whether it is 1/4, auto-x, or road course. We're removing weight where there is too much already on an ff.....

Simple physics: less weight = less mass for inertia to act on = faster acceleration, shorter braking distances, and tighter cornering...

Plus they look gosh darn neat-o!


[Modified by Black R, 2:48 PM 6/21/2001]

 

it's because the phrase "carbon fiber" conjures up a stigma of racing, etc. why do you think the R has that phony CF trim? It's part of the whole image. People hear those 2 words and think it has to be cool since race cars use it (except the Realtime guys AD )

 

Does anybody have the actual weight savings?

The factory hood is not THAT heavy.


Willis

 

Good question...

 

The factory hood is at least 40 lbs...some CF hoods are as little as 8. quite a bit of savings, if you have the extra $$$ and performance mods have already been done.

seems a waste to me if you don't have anything else done to the car, but after other mods, it's a great idea...I don't like the way it looks on the yellow, but looks great on the CW, so I need to get one.

 

What is the cost of the 8lbs CF hood, though

I could see on a NHRA car were you have tons of money and .0001 seconds could mean a world of diffrence. But on our cars it would mean what, .02 seconds in the quarter mile? I would think there is better performance mods for the money.

 

I'm actually considering one for my hybrid. The b18c dropped my front a little more than i've expected, but by just moving the battery to the trunk and a cf hood, the problem should pretty much be corrected. Plus, as others have already stated, they look so damn cool (especially on a white car)!

 

100 lbs = *approx* .1 in the 1/4 mile.

 

I had actually thought about one for two reasons:
The weight you save is from the front where most of the weight is anyway (as was said)
and I thought it would keep my org. hood from getting a bunch of rock chips. Then I could put my org. hood back on when I sold (if wanted)

Didn't get one, now I see most of the chips are on the front bumper, although I did get a couple on the hood. And if the org. hood is off and stored away when I went to put it back on the paint wouldn't match.

I would say it's a must for racing, added to other weight savings. Has anyone put one on a stock ITR? Was it wasted money?

 

I'm w/ typer98 - I don't really like the way it looks on Yellow

I'd like to get one once I'm happy w/ my set-up (I've got a long way to go). Maybe it'll grow on me by then. Maybe not. Either way, I have nothing against carbon fiber hoods.

 

Albino - Just in terms of the Realtime R's, whether or not the CF hoods are legal, their cars are already hauling around a lot of added weight to "handicap" them. Other than for weight distribution purposes, there would be no reason for them to try and drop weight by using a CF hood.

 

I would really like to get a CF hood for my R. I like the idea of even minor weight reduction in the front. BUT, I am also a perfectionist and don`t want something that doesn`t fit right on the R.

 

I actually think they look best on the Black ITR's. I dont have one on my R, but I do have one on my '95 del Sol that is Milano Red. And IMO it looks tight! I got it due to a grapefruit sized dent that was on the hood of my Sol. And Honda wanted $378 for a stock del Sol hood, so for the extra couple bux the c/f hood was much better! I'm just a little unhappy with the coating which has some hazy areas. Otherwise it looks great! The only hood I'll put on my R is the Toda hood, if I can get one. The fit & finish of the Toda hood is top notch, and I will not put a "cheap" c/f hood on my R!

 

One of the guys I raced with (Fred Highland) made his own carbon hood, and it was CRAZY light ......

He did it completely himself, but he now requires hood pins to hold it down, and a stick to keep it open. But he's also running 13.0's now ....... in an all motor GS-R.

 

20 - 30 lbs is a pretty lump of weight. Its all dependant on the individual's performance preferrence.
I guess Realtime's combination of performance mods is the only way to go. They are the coockie cutter for all ITR's huh? I think not.
Weight reduction & distribution is another aspect of performance upgrades.
I spent time with a chasis tuner and let me tell you, I could probably make my car just as fast as most with weight reduction alone. Flame me if you want, but its true.
Our car's weight distribution is approx 63% Front and 37% rear. Thats really light in the rear so weight distribution is key. Moving some mass to the rear or removing some up front with help provide a better balance in turn neutrality. Yes I know, you can play with spring rates and dampening to acheive the same results but like I am implying, there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Mr. Chasis Tuner gave me some pointers and would like to implement them at my discretion. Hollowing out the drive shafts and inserting titanium tubes filled with light weight material will lighten up the front some and reduce rotational mass (w/ out sacrificing strength) I don't plan on dumping my clutch at 8000 rpms soon so if the torsional strength is reduced, I won't have to worry about fatigue. He suggested Carbon Fiber side mirrors. That cuts at least 5 lbs. Shave or replace front brake calipers. Replace structural parts with tube framing, relocation of underhood components to the rear, ...... this list goes on and on.
(Of course it may get alittle pricey)

So my descision would be that I would go with a Carbon Fiber Hood for Functional reasons. As an added bonus, it looks great on CW.
What would look key is that CF front lip add-on that I saw once ....... anyone got a pict?

-Nick

 

i don't think the stock hood weighs 40 pounds. Maybe 30 pounds.

 

I would put out that some of the Japanese CF hoods (CRUX, Shift Sports) have vents to draw heat out of the engine bay, definitely a good thing IMO.

 

but what about when it rains..

 

that's why I have a LC..."Rain/snow car"

btw: does anyone make a USDM CF hood w/ vents? Just some simple vents like the JDM Mugen hood.

-y

 

damn... where is this hood from???

 

My stock hood weighs 37 pound's and fit's perfect. my CF hood weigh's 7 pound's require's hood pin's and fit's ok. The realtime guy's are not allowed to use aftermarket panel's instead the cut all of the bracing out from the bottom of the stock hood's to cut weight for the 450 i paid the 30 pound weight saving'sare worth it to me.