CFibre vs. Fibreglass - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

adey · 04-24-2002, 03:21 AM

My stock '93 hood is fading (due to a bad repaint) and has a deep ding/dent in it along w/ a couple unsightly scratches. It's not urgent yet to get a new hood, but one will be coming in the relatively near future.

Hence my question:

Just how much "better" is CF over Fibreglass? If I lie on my hood, will they both hold? (I'm 150lb) Would by steel hood even hold my weight? What are some benefits of a Carbon Fibre hood over Fibreglass? As I understand it, both materials are lightweight and pretty strong.
Both are also essentially plastics... so why choose a CF over Fibreglass?
I'm going to paint it too, so looks isn't an issue.

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

9591 · 04-24-2002, 03:39 AM

Jeez, you've never sat on your hood? OK, yes, it'll support your weight. A fibreglass or CF hood will also support your weight, IF it has bracing underneath it. Without the bracing, it'll go crunch (but then, so will steel).
CF is light and strong (and expensive). FG is less strong and less light. *Most* people seem to get CF stuff because they think it looks cool. You obviously (and wisely, IMO) don't care, and a few pounds isn't gonna hurt your performance, so... get a cheap steel hood.

adey · 04-24-2002, 04:21 AM

They make hoods w/out bracing?! That sounds.... dangerous. So where can one find such cheap steel hoods? I'm guessing junk yards? However the ones I "frequent" tend to overcharge, and I never seem to talk to anyone BUT the PITA manager. Heck, he wanted $75 PER 300zx caliper! crazy. I can get rebuilds from Autozone for 50 plus the core. *roll eyes*

How much might I expect to pay for said stock steel hood?

guidot · 04-24-2002, 08:59 AM

the thing is, CF hoods are about 25% weight of the stock hood!  You are saving some SERIOUS body weight!  Have you ever lifted your hood?  It almost weighs 100lbs (i think)!  The CF hoods are awesome...I'm getting one as soon as I have money!  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

DrDubbleB · 04-24-2002, 09:19 AM

Stock hoods are about 50lbs, not 100, still that's an awful heavy compared to the about 16lbs of a Carbon Fiber hood.  I would not sit on a fiberglass hood...that's just asking for trouble.  

Fiber glass is relatively brittle, it's made because it's cheap.

JpS · 04-24-2002, 10:07 AM

also, another downside to fibreglass is that it chips easily so, unless it is a show car, after about six months it will look as bad as your stock hood looks now, or worse

Yoshi · 04-24-2002, 10:15 AM

I think it was one of the deleted posts yesterday? but there was an agruement about the relative strength of CF hoods actually being negative....

Take this situation:
on a 2 lane highway, the car coming towards you from the opposite direction loses control and swerves into your lane... you both hit the brakes, but the collision is still the equivalent of a 40mph head-on.  
Now as stock steel hood is designed with crumple areas in mind... a CF hood is designed to be as structurally sound... so rather than folding in half, or thirds and slamming into the windshield borders, the CF hood breaks off the hinges and shoots more or less straight back toward the driver.  Instant decapitation.  I think the last post actually listed some instances where this happened (I think).  

Sounds pretty scary to me, I'll being going fiberglass thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

BlackFox · 04-24-2002, 11:06 AM

I hear this new FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) stuff is pretty good body kit material. I've seen picts of them bending it  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'> and it just pops back to the way it was   <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>  Lots of the big companies make their kits out of it, such as JUN (which is the kit i'm getting) Yes they do make hoods in FRP. One problem that I noticed on my friend CF hood that it isn't completely CF. The bottom frame 1/2 seems to be fiberglass and the top half is CF (not the fake sticker CF) I guess it's because it would be easier to make and cheeper (give it some flex so it doesn't crack if hit) It's up to you, I would go with FRP  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

BlackFox · 04-24-2002, 11:11 AM

You can check out the JUN hood here
http://www.junauto.co.jp/products/index-e.html

s15dude · 04-24-2002, 01:10 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Yoshi @ April 24 2002,10:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I think it was one of the deleted posts yesterday? but there was an agruement about the relative strength of CF hoods actually being negative....

Take this situation:
on a 2 lane highway, the car coming towards you from the opposite direction loses control and swerves into your lane... you both hit the brakes, but the collision is still the equivalent of a 40mph head-on.
Now as stock steel hood is designed with crumple areas in mind... a CF hood is designed to be as structurally sound... so rather than folding in half, or thirds and slamming into the windshield borders, the CF hood breaks off the hinges and shoots more or less straight back toward the driver. Instant decapitation. I think the last post actually listed some instances where this happened (I think).

Sounds pretty scary to me, I'll being going fiberglass thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
In theory, this could happen. If you think about it though, do to the slant in the windshield it will most likely go up and over the windsheild. Do not sit on a CF hood cause it will break. It has lots of strengths, and lots of weaknesses. In a collision it would most likely shatter.

Yoshi · 04-24-2002, 01:51 PM

that seems plausible too.

I was just regurgitating what I'd read earlier <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

**West** · 04-24-2002, 03:25 PM

Has anyone seen this BS? See Through Hoods!?

Now if you buy one of these, watch out, cuz im sending the Zilvia Mob after you to bash your hood in.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

240meowth · 04-24-2002, 07:17 PM

well, cf is supposly stronger than steal, and w/ cf, you still get fg on the bottom as a layer.  so, cf is the way to go!  just look @ my sexy strut bar ; )

thought i'd share on my latest mod ; )

9591 · 04-24-2002, 09:42 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ April 24 2002,05:21)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">How much might I expect to pay for said stock steel hood?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Well, you can get a new replacement hood (not made by Nissan) from companies that supply the auto body industry. For instance, here in Kansas City, you can get body parts from CertiFit. A hood costs $200 list, $155 shop price. That's not as cheap as I was thinking when I wrote my last post, but it's not terrible.

adey · 04-24-2002, 11:13 PM

woah 155 for a replacement (not even nissan) hood... I'm under the impression that you can get Fibreglass hoods for around 200 -- so I may have to just go that route.
Any idea how much a stock nissan hood would cost (from dealer) and how much a front bumper and drivers side fender/wheel liner would cost?

edit: Yeah, I've seen those seethrough hoods... complete bull! I've seen hondas driving around even withOUT hoods at all! That's better than the seethrough ones; at least you get more airflow over the engine/radiator/whatever...  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/butbut.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':but:'> Disgusting. Imagine a car w/ a neon red hood. fugly!

SR20Fastback · 04-25-2002, 12:10 AM

Decapatation.....Death by carbon fiber....this world is a terrible place <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

04-24-2002, 03:21 AM	#1
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My stock '93 hood is fading (due to a bad repaint) and has a deep ding/dent in it along w/ a couple unsightly scratches. It's not urgent yet to get a new hood, but one will be coming in the relatively near future. Hence my question: Just how much "better" is CF over Fibreglass? If I lie on my hood, will they both hold? (I'm 150lb) Would by steel hood even hold my weight? What are some benefits of a Carbon Fibre hood over Fibreglass? As I understand it, both materials are lightweight and pretty strong. Both are also essentially plastics... so why choose a CF over Fibreglass? I'm going to paint it too, so looks isn't an issue. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

04-24-2002, 08:59 AM	#4
guidot Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cape Cod, MA Age: 42 Posts: 443 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	the thing is, CF hoods are about 25% weight of the stock hood!  You are saving some SERIOUS body weight!  Have you ever lifted your hood?  It almost weighs 100lbs (i think)!  The CF hoods are awesome...I'm getting one as soon as I have money!  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ -Jeff T. 96 240SX 240SXONE http://www.240sxone.com

04-24-2002, 10:15 AM	#7
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 44 Posts: 3,000 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I think it was one of the deleted posts yesterday? but there was an agruement about the relative strength of CF hoods actually being negative.... Take this situation: on a 2 lane highway, the car coming towards you from the opposite direction loses control and swerves into your lane... you both hit the brakes, but the collision is still the equivalent of a 40mph head-on.   Now as stock steel hood is designed with crumple areas in mind... a CF hood is designed to be as structurally sound... so rather than folding in half, or thirds and slamming into the windshield borders, the CF hood breaks off the hinges and shoots more or less straight back toward the driver.  Instant decapitation.  I think the last post actually listed some instances where this happened (I think).   Sounds pretty scary to me, I'll being going fiberglass thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

04-24-2002, 11:06 AM	#8
BlackFox Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 534 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I hear this new FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) stuff is pretty good body kit material. I've seen picts of them bending it  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'> and it just pops back to the way it was   <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>  Lots of the big companies make their kits out of it, such as JUN (which is the kit i'm getting) Yes they do make hoods in FRP. One problem that I noticed on my friend CF hood that it isn't completely CF. The bottom frame 1/2 seems to be fiberglass and the top half is CF (not the fake sticker CF) I guess it's because it would be easier to make and cheeper (give it some flex so it doesn't crack if hit) It's up to you, I would go with FRP  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ Current Cars: 1976 Mercedes Benz 300D 1995 240sx SE aka Kate (winner: Best Stock S14 @ 2002 National Convention) http://community.webshots.com/user/jeff976cal If you're interested in parts email me [email protected]

04-24-2002, 11:11 AM	#9
BlackFox Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 534 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You can check out the JUN hood here http://www.junauto.co.jp/products/index-e.html __________________ Current Cars: 1976 Mercedes Benz 300D 1995 240sx SE aka Kate (winner: Best Stock S14 @ 2002 National Convention) http://community.webshots.com/user/jeff976cal If you're interested in parts email me [email protected]

04-24-2002, 03:39 AM	#2
9591 Leaky Injector Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 122 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Jeez, you've never sat on your hood? OK, yes, it'll support your weight. A fibreglass or CF hood will also support your weight, IF it has bracing underneath it. Without the bracing, it'll go crunch (but then, so will steel). CF is light and strong (and expensive). FG is less strong and less light. Most people seem to get CF stuff because they think it looks cool. You obviously (and wisely, IMO) don't care, and a few pounds isn't gonna hurt your performance, so... get a cheap steel hood.

04-24-2002, 04:21 AM	#3
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They make hoods w/out bracing?! That sounds.... dangerous. So where can one find such cheap steel hoods? I'm guessing junk yards? However the ones I "frequent" tend to overcharge, and I never seem to talk to anyone BUT the PITA manager. Heck, he wanted $75 PER 300zx caliper! crazy. I can get rebuilds from Autozone for 50 plus the core. roll eyes How much might I expect to pay for said stock steel hood?

04-24-2002, 09:19 AM	#5
DrDubbleB Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1,119 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Stock hoods are about 50lbs, not 100, still that's an awful heavy compared to the about 16lbs of a Carbon Fiber hood.  I would not sit on a fiberglass hood...that's just asking for trouble.   Fiber glass is relatively brittle, it's made because it's cheap.

04-24-2002, 10:07 AM	#6
JpS Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 68 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	also, another downside to fibreglass is that it chips easily so, unless it is a show car, after about six months it will look as bad as your stock hood looks now, or worse

04-24-2002, 01:10 PM	#10
s15dude Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego Age: 37 Posts: 503 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Yoshi @ April 24 2002,10:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I think it was one of the deleted posts yesterday? but there was an agruement about the relative strength of CF hoods actually being negative.... Take this situation: on a 2 lane highway, the car coming towards you from the opposite direction loses control and swerves into your lane... you both hit the brakes, but the collision is still the equivalent of a 40mph head-on. Now as stock steel hood is designed with crumple areas in mind... a CF hood is designed to be as structurally sound... so rather than folding in half, or thirds and slamming into the windshield borders, the CF hood breaks off the hinges and shoots more or less straight back toward the driver. Instant decapitation. I think the last post actually listed some instances where this happened (I think). Sounds pretty scary to me, I'll being going fiberglass thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> In theory, this could happen. If you think about it though, do to the slant in the windshield it will most likely go up and over the windsheild. Do not sit on a CF hood cause it will break. It has lots of strengths, and lots of weaknesses. In a collision it would most likely shatter. __________________

04-24-2002, 01:51 PM	#11
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 44 Posts: 3,000 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	that seems plausible too. I was just regurgitating what I'd read earlier <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

04-24-2002, 03:25 PM	#12
West OMNOMNOMNOM Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Denver, CO Age: 40 Posts: 6,456 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: West Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Has anyone seen this BS? See Through Hoods!? Now if you buy one of these, watch out, cuz im sending the Zilvia Mob after you to bash your hood in.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> __________________ West - Zilvia.net - Toyobaru.net - NapkinSketch.com

04-24-2002, 07:17 PM	#13
240meowth Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: torrance, ca Age: 38 Posts: 2,399 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	well, cf is supposly stronger than steal, and w/ cf, you still get fg on the bottom as a layer.  so, cf is the way to go!  just look @ my sexy strut bar ; ) thought i'd share on my latest mod ; ) __________________

04-24-2002, 09:42 PM	#14
9591 Leaky Injector Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 122 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ April 24 2002,05:21)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">How much might I expect to pay for said stock steel hood?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Well, you can get a new replacement hood (not made by Nissan) from companies that supply the auto body industry. For instance, here in Kansas City, you can get body parts from CertiFit. A hood costs $200 list, $155 shop price. That's not as cheap as I was thinking when I wrote my last post, but it's not terrible.

04-24-2002, 11:13 PM	#15
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	woah 155 for a replacement (not even nissan) hood... I'm under the impression that you can get Fibreglass hoods for around 200 -- so I may have to just go that route. Any idea how much a stock nissan hood would cost (from dealer) and how much a front bumper and drivers side fender/wheel liner would cost? edit: Yeah, I've seen those seethrough hoods... complete bull! I've seen hondas driving around even withOUT hoods at all! That's better than the seethrough ones; at least you get more airflow over the engine/radiator/whatever...  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/butbut.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':but:'> Disgusting. Imagine a car w/ a neon red hood. fugly!

04-25-2002, 12:10 AM	#16
SR20Fastback Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Bay Age: 36 Posts: 1,637 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Decapatation.....Death by carbon fiber....this world is a terrible place <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ Fodive STILL blows goats, I have proof.

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