Carbon fibre hood

[kinkyllama]

How much less do carbon fibre hoods typically weigh over stock?

[PrecisionBoost]

That's a hard question to answer.... it totally depends on the manufacturer... some guys build up the hood with fibreglass and then use carbon fibre on both sides to give it the carbon fibre look.... some guys use just carbon fibre.

I personally think a multi layer composite done in a heated Vacuum chamber is the best (with kevlar/carbon/fibreglass )

Each one has a weekness.... not so much Kevlar but carbon fibre is weak in certain directions. (as demonstrated by a local fibreglass production guy I know )

I think carbon fibre is all about the looks as opposed to the strength.

I've seen non carbon fibre composite panels that are unbeliveable.... they weigh about 3 pounds but will not break no matter what you do to them.

The main problem is that these panels are really ugly so they would need paint..... and because they have such a wide range of flexibility most paints will crack well before the panel is stressed.

But to get back on topic.... there is typically a fairly significant weight reduction.... probably close to half.

But again.... it depends on the manufacturer and how much material is used.

Really good companies can use special heated vacuum chambers to make a very strong consistent hood.... while others hand roll their material without a vacuum setup and they have to use way more material to get comparable strength.

Mold costs for a Vacuum setup are more money but they pay for themselves in the long run because you can use less resin/material and you produce a better product.

This is also the reason many companies won't do a new hood unless there is some significant interest ( typically 10 or more )

Basicly they don't make any money on the first 10 hoods.... they just go to paying for the mold.... then anything they produce afterwards is fairly profitable.

[Wolf-Spirit]

tbh there should be a list on here to singup so once ya get enhough people for a car you can go to a shop and tell em to make em

ofcourse this would require thrust from the users

[daewoo]

wolf-spirit, if you really want a carbon fibre hood contact me. i know somebody who is able to make one for you. ofcourse custom jobs cost money

[kinkyllama]

But to get back on topic.... there is typically a fairly significant weight reduction.... probably close to half..

How much do stock hoods usually weigh then?

thanks for all the info