Best replacement hood - quality difference?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Best replacement hood - quality difference?
I am doing a body off on my 72 and plan to put a big block back in. I also want to change the hood and was wondering how much of a product quality difference there is between the various aftermarket companies. Is Paragon better then ZIP or what about ecklers?
I have bought products from them all but not body panels. I know ekler made there own stuff at one time but not sure if they still do. The car is not all original so the expense of a NOS doesn't make sense unless the quality is worth the difference.
Thanks
I have bought products from them all but not body panels. I know ekler made there own stuff at one time but not sure if they still do. The car is not all original so the expense of a NOS doesn't make sense unless the quality is worth the difference.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
I recently replaced the stock hood on my 74 with an L88 hood from Ecklers. It fit perfect right out of the box and required only the usual prep for paint on the outside. The underside was rough and required grinding and sanding to smooth out. I'd recommend Ecklers to anyone looking for body panels based on my experience.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Eckler still makes his own stuff, some of it from original GM molds. If I was making this type of swap, I would look for a genuine GM LT1/BB hood and use that. They pop up occasionally on eBay.
