Carbon Fiber Hoods - Performance vs. Appearance
 

So my roommate backed into the balt a few weeks ago and has given me a reason to go ahead and purchase a new hood for the balt. I am so undecided that I need some opinions.

Through all the threads I have read, it seems to me that there are 4 main popular CF hoods:

#1 - AIT Racing R1 Style Carbon Fiber Hood

AIT Racing Chevrolet Cobalt AIT Racing R1 Style Carbon Fiber Hood - CC05BMR1SCFH

#2 - Flastic ITZ Style Fiberglass Hood (aka Heat extractor hood)

Flastic Chevrolet Cobalt Flastic ITZ Style Fiberglass Hood - B-CHCO05-ITZHO

#3 - Flastic SS Style Fiberglass Hood

Flastic Chevrolet Cobalt Flastic SS Style Fiberglass Hood - B-CHCO05-SSHO

#4 - VIS Racing G Speed Black Carbon Fiber Hood

VIS Racing Chevrolet Cobalt VIS Racing G Speed Black Carbon Fiber Hood - 05CHCOB2DGS-010C


Right now I am leaning more towards #2. It seems to be the best balance of appearance and performance. I do love the look of #3 but from what I have read, it doesn't really do much performance wise (Temps or Aerodynamically). Perhaps I am wrong.

The #1 and #4 actually look very similar but most people seem to agree that there is just too much going on with those styles.

My question for you fine folks are, with all things considered, which one do you think is the best?

I don't like 1 or 4. As you said, too much going on. I'd buy number 2 in CF in a heartbeat. number 3 is dead sexy though. I'd like that in CF too.

Number 3 hands down

You should also consider a VIS Invader 2 hood in CF

Doesn't that look identical to his option 1?

I guess it doesn't have the side vents, does it?

Yea, very similar, I wanted to put #1 and #4 in there because I felt maybe it would help air flow and maybe get a better response from people.

I love the look of #3 a lot too but doesn't any one else feel it gives more of a muscle car look rather than tuner?

Eh on #1 and #4. #3 I'm not a fan of either. It makes us look like we are trying to be a 4th gen camaro, and it serves no function. I'd pick number #2, especially if it is actually a heat extracting hood. Too bad they don't make it in CF, but I imagine it would be hella expensive then.

3 gets my vote for looks.... 1 or 3 will get you the best apperence

in terms of light weight being carbon vs fiberglass they are all worthless imho. all of these hoods have fiberglass bottoms and people never tend to realize that. so the weight difference is maybe a pound 2 at best. if you want a real light weight hood heres your answer but good luck ever getting one.

Attachment 39008
Attachment 39009

i need to add some vents but when i have time i will

Can anyone tell me if these hoods come ready to install. Besides getting the gel coating taken off and a clear coat applied?

You are building a Cobalt for Gene Simmons?

Is... is that a plastic molded hood?

Why why why why would you want to remove the gel coat?

edit - the hood Matt linked is Dry Carbon. very light. very strong. very expensive.

honey comb carbon fiber......its the cats ass when it comes to light weight parts. company that made it used an oem mold too. things a beautiful piece. pin on front only though.

Get me one, Matt. I'll give your helmet back.

Maybe I am referring to the wrong coating. I thought I read that there some type of coating that comes on these hoods from the manufacturer that comes off over time a this could be avoided by having it removed and applying a clear coating as soon as I get it.

I have read so much about this in the last month I am probably confusing my self now. :S

cant... that was the last one and i have the matching trunk too.

most carbon manufactuers supply a gel coat on the hood thats clear. 90% of people think its actually uv protective clear. ITS NOT. what you do is take the hood and wetsand the gel coat flat(no orange peel but dont sand through the gel coat) with 1000 grit and clear over it with 3 GOOD coats of clear. wetsand the clear flat and buff it to a shine. leaving orange peel with carbon looks like complete garbage.

now if you wanna go an extra step put 2 coats of clear on sand it flat with 1000 and sand re clear it again and it will look even deeper.

edit - Matt already answered above.

Molds are gone? What a shame.

Ok, my next question is. Does anyone know of a good body shop in Houston to have this done?

yeah a lot of the molds were destroyed... i do have a koni lip too but thats not going anywhere either .

i think i like the look of 2 and 4 the most. never seen 2 actually

number 2 is an itrenz replica hood which isnt produced anymore. just the replica is and ive never heard of that company.

Whoa Whoa Whoa. Are these two hoods not the same?

2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Carbon Fiber Hood Heat Extractor : ITZ -

Flastic Chevrolet Cobalt Flastic ITZ Style Fiberglass Hood - B-CHCO05-ITZHO

I never even noticed. I was wondering why the price difference was so much.