What's up? The company I manage for, Andy's Auto Sport, is coming out with a new kind of Carbon Fiber/Carbon Kevlar hood, the first being one for my car(92-95 Civic). I got my hands on the prototype and want to know what you guys think of it.

Before we even started making prototyes, we wanted to make sure that it would be the best in the market in three areas: Strength, Weight, and Durability. It may look pretty sweet, but function was our main objective.

DESCRIPTION
We use high quality full Carbon Fiber skin with a Honeycomb Core. The CF is supported with Carbon Kevlar (If you don't already know, Kevlar by the way is used in bullet proof vests). We use an Epoxy Resin which is the highest quality resin available. Finally, to keep it looking clean, the hood is then Vacuum Bagged and Oven Cured. For the "cherry on top" we retain original factory metal mounting points and latch hook so you never have to worry about the hood flying up at high speeds.

ALL THIS IN A HOOD THAT WEIGHS ABOUT 6 POUNDS!

As a member of these forums, I value your feedback as always. Voice your opinions because this hood is made for you guys.

[Modified by Maverick77, 9:22 PM 4/8/2003]


[Modified by Maverick77, 12:07 AM 4/9/2003]


[Modified by Maverick77, 12:12 AM 4/9/2003]

 

latch looks weak.

 

i'm no expert on carbon fiber/kevlar hoods, but within a given amount of time, how can the hood still maintain shape without the skeleton in the middle???

other than that, i like it if it comes onto the market at a good price, i'd snag one up quickly

 

from pictures
1. hood latch looks weak
2. weave itself looks like crap
3. whats up with the center of the hood?

we need to get pictures of it ON a car, that way we can also judge fitment.
and how much does it weigh?

edit: 6 pounds? wow, light.


[Modified by jonas, 9:24 PM 4/8/2003]

 

"We use high quality full Carbon Fiber skin with a Honeycomb Core."

 

elaborate

 

i dont work for them, or anything....but i do know how this **** is made...

so basically u have the upper/outtter cf skin that everyone sees right? thats the external skin, then u have a lower skin, the part u see under the hood, between it is a honey comb structure, so its like a sandwitch, VERY VERY strong.

 

ahhh.....so the honeycomb structure gives the center it's rigidity.......thanks spoon...or...there is no spoon

 

agreed

 

i think that they could definately get the weave more uniform if they tried, and since is a prototype they where probably worrying about other things... so given it would probably look a lot better, is very light, and super strong... as long as it wasnt like a grand id be down.

 

Thank you for that explanation. Believe me... this thing is strong as hell. Other companies(such as VIS) just simply have a Carbon Fiber Skin layer with another fiberglass layer underneath. If you can imagine an actual honeycomb made out of carbon fiber... this thing is incredibly strong. We've actually had everyone in our office try and kick or punch a hole in it as hard ad they could, but to put it simply, the hood won . Nothing happened to the hood at all.

Here's a simple video where we test the hood's strength. All it left were small scratches.
http://members.aol.com/andysautospor...totypemov1.MPG

Here's another video where the shipping manager easily spins the 6 POUND hood with his finger
http://members.aol.com/andysautospor...totypemov2.MPG

TO DOWNLOAD, RIGHT CLICK THE LINK AND CHOOSE "SAVE TARGET AS"



[Modified by Maverick77, 11:31 PM 4/8/2003]

 

ballpark price?

 

Wow, I like it ALOT. I coudlnt give two ***** how the weave looks, but that looks like a very, very functional hood. 6lbs is light as crap, VIS hoods are like 16. Any idea on pricing?

 

will the final product have a better weave? also is it just as stong(could it be stronger?) then BENEN's?

i've seen ken from benen jumped ontop of one of their hatch and walked around and jumped up and down on it...

finally how much?

 

love the functionality of it
i'm sure the strength is ridiculusly strong
so many people fixated on looks first throw function out the window
i'd paint the top to match, protecting the resin and fabric, and rock the lightest hood around

 

ur not jalal are u?

 

The latch looks weak.

The edges don't look so great.

Cool idea though. I'd be curious to see how the production hoods turn out.

How's the fitment?

 

Before I give you what I was told is the ball-park price, ask yourself these quesions: "What qualities do you look for in a carbon fiber hood?" and "What will you use your carbon fiber hood for?"

If you're looking for a hood that, from the ground up is MADE to "look nice", this is not your hood. Go buy an Aerogear, VIS, or any other "Made in China" or "Made in Taiwan" hood. Believe me, all their hood skin is, is just a thin sheet of carbon fiber with fiberglass holding the weave in place. Then they add a skeleton made out of Fiberglass that gives minimal support.

But if you're looking for a fully functional hood that works as good as it looks, this is it. Now, this is a no bull$#!t hood. No Fiberglass whatsoever. This is what a carbon fiber hood is supposed to be like: Light(about 6 lbs.), Durable, and Strong... We make this hood for you.

DOHCtorTHRUST: Sorry, I don't know about Benen's hood.

The ball-park price I was told is $595 MSRP(Retail).

Don't be fooled by the image as far as quality of the weave. I can put a high quality image of the weave up, but that would take forever for everyone to download

Jerry
Andy's Auto Sport
http://www.andysautosport.com
1-800-419-1152



[Modified by Maverick77, 12:15 AM 4/9/2003]

 

the whole time you never mentioned this hood compared the fiber-image products. please let up know if there will be hoods for other cars. and post pics of it on the car so we can see how the edges look. i am interested but want to paint mine.

 

Sweet. God damn its hella light Only thing suck is umm Hm the weave but its only a test anways. So I doubt the finished product will look way better. Another thing is the latch looks scary to me Other than that its sweet. Hm price not so sure heh

 

6 pounds, that's what i'm talkin' about

 

I've spoken to VIS @ length about their hoods when I worked @ noi and to my knowledge they don't make their hood with Fiberglass.

I can't see the pick of the Andy's hood. Honda-tech is acting real strange right now.

 

hood looks nice.. i like it..

 

i like it but is that **** gonna cost me my 2 arms and 2 legs ?

 

Nice!!! now i can make my car bullet proof!!! so when im in south jamaican queens blasting Metallica!! They wont be able to hit my engine!!! just me..