subtlez28

Google and forum searches have not helped me much here.

I currently have an unknown brand cowl induction style hood.
I can get closer/better pictures of it but it can be seen here:


I would like to go to a fixed headlight, likely where the fog lights/turn signals are now.

I also plan to run hood pins, as a failing hood cable scares me. I intend to race the car.

So before I drill any holes in this nice hood I want to investigate my options.

How much weight would a lightweight fiberglass "race style" hood with no headlights save me?

Anyone know what the current (or stock) hood weighs?

Can I get this done affordably? I do not have the budget for some $2500 CF hood.

My hope is to sell the current hood to fund the lightweight hood and it's paint. Am I dreaming?

What would the used value of my current hood be?

Aardwolf

I removed the headlights from mine this fall. They were 12 lbs each with the glass lens and 10.5 lbs each with the later year plastic lens. I put HID fog lights in and just used those this year. I drive to and from the track and they worked fine. The amount of light the HID fog lights put out is astounding.

There are numerous hood manufacturers of which the carbon fibers weigh the least and cost the most. The less expensive fiber glass hoods are around 25-30 lbs. I believe the stock hood weighs around 100 lbs with the headlights.

Used hoods I've seen go around $250-500 but I can't say I've watched the prices that close since I'm not in the game to buy or sell one.

I made plates to fill the headlight holes from aluminum, I think it cost $10. By selling the stock headlights I wound up making money after installing the HID's.

Places for hoods, there are several.. Performance afx, Exotic Muscle, Toledo Pro Fiberglass, ACI vette (45 lbs listed for race hood).. there are probably more that I can't remember.

Also run a search in C4 tech, there are some current threads on this.

subtlez28

Thanks Aardwolf.

I searched, but did not find the info I was looking for. Many of the manufacturers listed in other threads do not show listings for the C4 hoods anymore...

I just checked out ACI. Retail is ~$860 for the 45 lb piece.

I'm assuming if I cannot find one used, this will not happen. I cannot see spending over $500 to loose 50 lbs.

I mainly just want to check my options before drilling into my current hood. Though I bet that from a budget standpoint, I will end up keeping it.

BTW, I'm hoping to see your car in person next season. Come run with MSCC at Blackhawk farms!

Aardwolf

Yes the $860, then plus shipping, then plus paint. It's a sweet chunk of weight to lose but that's expensive. You could lose the lights like I did. I'm cutting out the structure under the hood that sticks down to lighten the hood.

I'm not sure what events I'll make it to at this point. The engine and trans need rebuilds.

subtlez28

I have 3 numbers and 7 letters for you my friend:
LS1 / T56 SWAP!

That will take some weight off the front!

Seriously though, do you have any pics of your hood project? I'll likely end up trying the same thing.

Aardwolf

I've thought about that. An aluminum block would be sweet. I've already paid for mine though so my machinist is having at it.

I didn't take any hood pictures yet. It's been to cold! I took off the under hood lights and cut a test chunk out of the structure. The piece I cut out is very heavy. I will finish cutting when I can work on it outside. The duct created in that endeavor is not to be underestimated!

Wait, I do have pictures in progress of the headlight mod.





I've got to paint them yet! I made them flush with the hood.

eogel

Shaun,
For a full race 86, I replaced the stock hood with a 17 lb carbon fiber hood. Stock hood weighs 86 lbs. Stock hinges and shims weigh 7 lbs. Replaced them with 4 pins, totaling about 1 lb. Headlights had already been removed.
Have to look up costs, but I think I bought it from Exotic Muscle in Tempe, AZ.
Ed

Kubs

I too just removed the headlights, and will be trying to remove the structure under the hood as well. I got the same HID fogs as Aardwolf and I am just glassing over the headlight holes making the hood smooth. This sounds to me like the most effective cheapest way to lighten the hood.

greendot

What HID's are those?

Kubs

http://www.corvettehid.com/cart/inde...c5f597c7e8b8d9

From CorvetteHID.com A forum member runs it.

greendot

Thanks

Aardwolf

I started a list of places to get a hood. subtlez28 that deal on DC looked pretty good. You could sell him your hood and use the money to get a different one. Maybe it would only cost $200 depending on what you sold yours for.

American Custom Ind ACI race hood 45 lbs $860

Black dog speed shop carbon fiber hood 26 lbs Clear Finish $5000 Paintable opaque finish $3750

Stock hood with everything 110 lbs

Performance AFX hood 24 lbs $1700

VFN fiberglass lists several hoods, 84-96 Flat Pin On Hood $299.00 13 lbs, 84-96 3" Pin On Hood $315.00 13 lbs, 91-96 large stock tilt type hood (pin-on only) $645.00 18 lbs

mrc24x

I run a 33lb. Toledo Pro FG hood. $800 in 2006.

ZR1 MK

I removed the headlights too and went from 34 to 50 watt bulbs in the running lights. Its enough light if you drive on roads with public lighting. Mine use the orginal painted top, but like usual, theres more than one way to get the job done. Nice work Aardwolf.

Kubs

The VFN hoods sound like a good deal. I dont think you can use the flat type on the stock body can you? You would have to use the large tilt type. Even so, at 18 lbs, $645 isnt a bad price.

ScaryFast

Get the hood MRC24X has. He's been running it for 3 or 4 years, it's light, it's durable, and it was a good price. You'd have to cut the headlight area out if you wanted to keep headlights, though.

Why are you worried about a failing hood cable? It's not like a Corvette hood can flip up while you're driving it. Unless you're doing high speeds in reverse. It just rattles and you have to pull into the pits and have someone close it...

subtlez28

I intend to set an in reverse record at Bonnevile. It is a little known fact that C4s have superior in reverse aerodynamics.


I'm actually worried about the release failing in the event of a fire. I've already eliminated the cables. I would just prefer hood pins on this particular car.

AUTO_X_AL

Hmmm, thinking the same thing.

AUTO_X_AL

Would the custom light enclosure be robust enough to absorb, say mulitple cone strikes?

Kubs

It is a plug and play kit that fits in the stock housings. If the OEM bulbs can take it these should too.