Hey guys, I am going to purchase a CF hood pretty soon...just wanted to get some input before I go out and get it...and please do not say "stay away from CF" becuz of X & Y reason...right now my best bet is a CF hood only becuz my car just got into an accident...and repairing and repainting the stock hood is going to cost me $500...a CF hood installed will cost less than that

1. Do I have to use aftermarket windshield nozzles? I hear our stock nozzles have a weird design and drilling "circular" holes into the CF hood won't keep them tight...true or false?

2. Can I reuse my hood struts? I know people advise not using them from the research I have done...but my stock struts are pretty worn out...it already has a hard time keeping the stock steel hood up...so I'm thinking with the CF, it won't put too much resistance on it, since it's already worn out...

3. Any special car care products I should invest in when cleaning my CF hood? Or just regular car soap and wax will do?

For reference...I am buying a MotorFX hood which is a VIS copy....I'm gettin hooked up for $350....

 

1. I dremmeled a bit to fit the nozzels.
2. I reused my hood struts.
3. I waxed it every time I washed it.

Ebay...VIS CF hood for 469 shipped. But since you live in Cali (where I think they are located) it's 150 cheaper. Rolled edges and all.

 

thanks Polak...another question about #2...since you reused your stock struts....u haven't had any problems with cracking the hood? I know if your hood struts are in good condition, they can create incredible resistance to closing a CF hood...which might result in cracking it....but I know my hood struts are pretty worn...so thats why I was thinking I can still get away by still using them, without cracking the hood

 

i know my stock washer nozzles were used, but the body shop did it, but i havent had any issues.
the stock struts were reused and no, i dont see any cracking or anything. i havent waxed mine yet, but after winter i will, since i dont see a problem with it, as long as you get all the wax off.

 

Yo u got to post some pics after you get it done........i havnt seen the motorfx hood i hope it looks like the oem.....

 

fosho...give me about 2 weeks ago...i really hope its out of the shop before xmas...haha

Oh yeah nobody really knows about the MotorFX hood...cuz they make scion parts...but my boy knows one of the head guys who runs MotorFX...he said his hoods and VIS hoods are made by the same people...so basically it will be like a VIS hood without the badge

 

Damn this is ghey...just called my shop and they said they can't pull me an 02 MotorFX CF hood....so I just asked them to pull me a VIS one...lets see how much it costs

bump it up for anymore input!

 

theres always EBAY

 

Weigh this thing, I would like to know how much less it is than stock.

 

I don't understand why the struts would be a problem when the hood is closed. They aren't being used. I don't get it....

 

You could try a SEIBON cf hood.

 

1. Do I have to use aftermarket windshield nozzles? I hear our stock nozzles have a weird design and drilling "circular" holes into the CF hood won't keep them tight...true or false?
Depends on the company that produces the hood. Some hoods come pre drilled with the nozzles. Ive had experience with a hood on my old fourth gen im not sure if the water nozzle shape is different but mine fit with no problems.

2. Can I reuse my hood struts? I know people advise not using them from the research I have done...but my stock struts are pretty worn out...it already has a hard time keeping the stock steel hood up...so I'm thinking with the CF, it won't put too much resistance on it, since it's already worn out...
Honestly most hood struts are too strong for such a light weight hood. There is a chance of the hood cracking from the pressure that the struts have. Plus they are not really needed just keep a small stick in your truck like ever other person with a cf hood


3. Any special car care products I should invest in when cleaning my CF hood? Or just regular car soap and wax will do?
Even if the hood is grade A they will begin to loose their color after time or even fade. I waxed my hood after every wash just to keep that "look" for a little bit longer. When i called VIS and asked them about this problem they informed me that when a hood starts to fade wet sand and spray a new clear coat on the hood

oh and be sure to use hood pins etc etc etc..........you smashed my lip up?

 

It's not a problem when it's closed....its when you TRY to close it....as you know, our OEM hoods weigh ALOT...and brand new/good condition hood struts will do a very good job opening the hood and keeping it open....when you add a lightweight CF hood, it will create tremendous amounts of resistance (the hood struts) when trying to close the hood....people might end up cracking the hood cuz of the resistance they have to use to close the hood...

 

My hood didn't crack with my good struts. I don't see why your's would.

 

LOL...thanks for the reply jon...and no your lip is doing great ...chillen at home cuz I don't feel like flossin it with a jacked up car...

 

I'll try to weigh it before I bring it to the body shop...hopefully my bathroom scale will still be calibrated to work well

 

what about if u use just one strut

 

The hood fades and yellows because most companies spray and lather on a thick layer of clear coat. Maybe try waxing your car nicely and keep it garaged or covered

You can use the stock hood struts but its recommended not to for what battlemax said already

 

That will definitely crack the hood when you try to close it.

 

just take the struts out, use a stick, case closed. people giving their opinions about this aren't inexperienced and the stories aren't pulled out of the anus.

 

I'll sell you my hood, I want carbon fiber. Check in the classifieds.

 

No thanks...its not even the same colour...

 

you want carbon fiber... -_- no more carbon fiber in the bay area maxboost925

 

Ok A33, I'm gonna get CHEAP and paint my hood and trunk black or CF charcoal. What do you mean by no more CF in the bay?

 

You would think that there would be some reinforcement around the struts to prevent it from cracking.....I'm still hinking about one though. How are they with snow and cold weather?

 

WOot...scored a VIS Hood for $400 shipped just today...it should be here by Friday...I'll keep ya'll updated with pix

 

man this thing is LIGHT! According to my bathroom scale, it only weighs 20lbs...it feels much lighter though...I think a bathroom scale isn't a good way to measure it becuz the hood is so large...and the weight isn't concentrated on the scale... well regardless...i'm happy! tomorrow I'm going to remove my OEM hood to see how heavy it is....

oh yeah any tips on removing the oem windshield nozzles? I heard they were a PITA to remove cuz of those clips...I don't wanna end up breaking one

 

That's a really nice find. Where did you get it at? They have anymore?

 

Nice hood, I like the carbon fiber

 

Looks good man, when are you installing this?

 

nice man! cant wait to see pics of it put on. carbon fiber hoods kick as s

 

The stock 4th Gen hood is 41 lbs, I have managed to get mine down to 27.5 and if anyone can get it lighter, either their scales are off or you can see the engine through it.

 

I got it from Peter @ Luminics...he mostly sells bulbs but he does have access to body kits and other misc items....and he was able to get me a good price on a VIS CF hood...

 

4th gen hood only weighs 41lbs? do you know how much a 5th gen weighs? supposedly it's like 60lbs...i see that # flying around every CF thread in the 5th gen forums

 

I don't think it weighs 60 lbs. I have taken both off but have only weighed the 4th Gen so I can't speak with authority but my butt feel is that they are similar.

 

nice cf hood, post some pics whenever u get it installed!!

 

ahh ic...well later on i'mma try putting this hood on...just have to wait for my friend to come over...don't wanna try removing it myself or i might get

hey Jime can you reply to this thread? i need your help
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=446558

thanks!

 

where was he shipping from? i'm hoping from the east coast somewhere, so i can get a cheaper rate.

 

P,

haha naw...he got it directly from VIS here in Walnut, CA....I dunno if I can squeeze you one though....ebay runs for $490 shipped if all else fails...

 

okay so earlier I tried putting the CF hood on...damn it won't latch onto the stock hook becuz my accident forced the hook to be pushed back further....o well I just took it off and set it aside....gonna have to let the body shop fix everything then put the CF hood back on....

the weight of the stock hood compared to the CF was huge...but it definitely didn't feel like 60lbs...i remember awhile back I weighed my 12 inch sub & box and it came to be around 55lbs...the oem hood, although I didn't weigh it, definitely feels lighter than my sub&box....so I'm thinking in the ballpark of 40-50lbs for the oem hood