C32-4ME

Hello everyone-

I am looking for ways to lighten up my C32 at bit, and thought about a carbon fiber hood.

I have seen quite a few of them for sale and I am wondering if there is something about them that people just dont like once they get them.

Estimated weight savings vs. the stock hood?
Does anybody have opinions on them?
Best manufacturer?
Are there any drawbacks for normal street use?
Can they be painted if desired?

Thanks-

Scott

alchang32

you can check VIS...i think some people on our forums use VIS hoods for our cars... good luck!

dkflipse

Yeah, get some info from BIS firsthand. Yes they can be painted (which will add $500 to a grand!). The real PITA issue is fitment. They almost never fit exactly like stock. The vendor will tip toe this issue cuz it depends a lot on the installer as well.

dkflipse

Oh yeah. if not painted the carbon can fade over time due to sun exposure.

430

The biggest downside is that dependig on application hood pins maybe required,

SiLvaC32

the above is all not true. as long as you apply clearcoat on the hood, the CF will not fade. all you really need to do is to find a good installer. mine came out great. Down side is that you dont have your latch anymore. also, the weight saving isn't THAT significant as everyone hopes.

dkflipse

Yeah, I think a much easier way to drop a few lbs is to go with a light weight battery. You may not drop as much - but it sure is a lot simpler (and less money).

cdd

What is an approximate weight savings for a CF hood?

dkflipse

I think the CF one weighs around 16lbs.

Corrosive

lol go on a diet... I lost 40 lbs and the car runs way better now. Ok back to the real question.

There are all sorts of things that you can logically do to cut weight out of the car. Gut the trunk along with what was already mentioned. Pull your rear headrests, get a flat hood badge... etc... and thats just off the top of my head.

In my opinion going to a cf hood for actual weight loss gains is getting eccentric. Now doing it for the look is a totally different thing.

TruTaing

Doesnt an optima battery lose lots more weight? :x

demigod

They shouldn't tack on more to the price of painting CF, atleast my shop didn't charge more.

FrankW

CF hood weights maybe 10-15lbs less than stock hood. not sure exactly how much. The weight saving is there. optima + CF hood will be perfect combo for that little edge of handling over another 32.

MRAMG1

Hey FrankW:

being a road raceer for a couple of decades now, I'm telling you, not even Michaeal Scuhmacher could tell a 30 lb difference in a 3400lb car on the track. If looks are the issue, than GO FOR IT!

If you truely want a weight reduction, than like myslef, go on a diet, ha, ha. Just kidding, but you won't notice 30 lbs, IMHO. Heck thats only about 4 gallons of gas, FYI.

See yeah

FrankW

that's because anything weights more than the actual F1 is consider heavy by Scuheyy.

I could care less about CF hood's look if they provide function. If i can find one cheap I'll end up paint over it with some Carlsson logo design on it.

i think CF hood and optima battery saves you more than 30lbs tho. I need to use two hand to held up a stock battery, but only needed one for optima. without the struts the stock hood feels heavy even with two hand.

c32used

I been told with Optima battery the weight shaved off is about 20Lbs.

hooleyboy

food for thought.... with about every 10lbs removed from the car (C55) you should feel the effects of 1hp gain. remove 50lbs from your car and you should feel about 5hp. as you continue to take weight off your car the amount of weight you have to take off will get smaller, not by much though (I think) your peak horsepower will not chance but I think everyone here knows that. Go get a set of light weight wheels for the track could find your self cutting a lot of weight. All I know is my stock AMG wheel is kinda heavy. you could take your spare tire out and feel an additional HP. I doubt you would even notice a difference. my advice lose some weight your will feel better, fit better, look better, and your car will feel faster.

personally I would rather have the piece of mind knowing i have a spare tire than feel like i have gained 1hp.

hooleyboy

o yeah that HP you would feel by removing weight would be at the flywheel not the wheels.

C32-4ME

I need to make sure I pick the "instant" email notifications...I did not think anyone replied to my questions!!

Thank you for all the great info and opinions. You guys must be tapped into my web cam or something. The "diet" suggestions are right on the number!

I was looking for significant weight gains, but still retaining the "stock" look - so the hood would be painted.

I think the general consensus is that the weight savings would just be not enough to make a difference.

Carbon fiber definately looks cool & fast...but...keeping cool may be a better way to spend $$ in the pursuit of fast.

I purchased an LET Heat Exchanger instead.

MRAMG1

Good choice

See yeah