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I was hit by some flying debris today, and lost a chunk of my hood. I’m considering the carbon “zr1” hood from paragon as a replacement. I’m concerned it is the same Chinese hood you see on alibaba. Does anybody know where the paragon hood is sourced? Any suggestions on other aftermarket hoods? I think my PPF protected the fender, and just need a hood.
I got in touch with Paragon. It’s made by Auto addicts in CA. Should be well made.
I guess the next question is leave the carbon exposed, or paint it. Don’t want to look like a Subaru, but I do love carbon fiber.
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Try to fix and repair as professionally and cost-effectively as possible. You can consider it a battle scar that can happen with time and use, and with anyone. Whatever you do, don't get stuck with a Chinese part or hood; no offense to my Asian brothers and sisters. Doesn't look too bad though even if you leave it.
Last edited by Bald Guy; Mar 12, 2025 at 12:16 AM.
Try to fix and repair as professionally and cost-effectively as possible. You can consider it a battle scar that can happen with time and use, and with anyone. Whatever you do, don't get stuck with a Chinese part or hood; no offense to my Asian brothers and sisters. Doesn't look too bad though even if you leave it.
Every piece of CF I installed on my 23 C8 I purchased from Jogon (China). They are all high quality with perfect fit and finish. Buying from vendors in China does not automatically mean cheap. Many US based vendors buy their CF parts from china and just add the corvette tax.
I “preordered” the zr1 hood from paragon last night. Not sure if I’ll get it painted or not. I think I’ll put it on first with some of carbon mirror caps, a pillars, and boomerangs. If it looks like a clapped out Honda I’ll paint it. If the fit is poor I’ll throw it on Craigslist and loose a couple bucks.
quote from my father in laws shop was about $1600 to fix and paint the hood, and blend the fenders. Plus new PPF and ceramic.
hood was about $2k, plus polishing, PPF/ ceramic. $600 to paint if I choose to go that way.
^^^ be sure to post pics once you've received it and installed it !
As one who has a LOT of carbon fiber I also considered buying a (regular) visible carbon fiber frunk lid when my hood also got hit by a sizable rock that ran up the hood for about 6". After repeated attempts to fix and touch up paint it my self, I took the car to a local painter...... I would have removed the hood and took it to him loose. He wanted $660 to repaint the entire hood.
Since I have a visible carbon fiber roof panel, we thought it might look like TOO MUCH CF so we went this route........ I fixed it, and then put the Jake hood decal on and you can't tell where it's been fixed.
If you want to see where I've swapped out EVERY carbon flash painted exterior piece for visible Carbon Fiber, check out the "sticky" thread on the other forum...... it's a very long thread, as I've been adding interior and exterior carbon fiber for almost 5 years.
So a few years back I had a retread come up and hit one of my cars. It ruined my bumper. The first question my insurance asked me "Was the piece in the air or moving or was it stationary".? I asked why and she said "well if it was stationary, you have a deductible, if it was moving or flew off the truck, no deductible". I would look into that. Mine was moving and insurance covered it and it never went up. I hope this helps. Perhaps get a estimate from a bodyshop, submit, to insurance, and they will likely just cut you a check that should cover your hood.
On a side note, I know its not my C8 but here is my C7 in Velocity Yellow with a exposed CF ZR1 hood. Everything else on the car is CF as well and the combination of the 2 is awesome.
Hood is not latched in the picture lol
Is the Paragon ZR1 hood functional, or just a mock up?
No airflow through it, like it would function on a ZR1?
Thinking water intrusion in rain.
Says it can be used to give a "vented or non vented look", if I read their description correctly?
Says it's a "two piece configuration".
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by WhiteDevil828
Every piece of CF I installed on my 23 C8 I purchased from Jogon (China). They are all high quality with perfect fit and finish. Buying from vendors in China does not automatically mean cheap. Many US based vendors buy their CF parts from china and just add the corvette tax.
It's just a preference that I personally don't prefer anything from China but I understand sometimes it is difficult to avoid. I agree about the Corvette tax or maybe on any name brand even if it's coming from China so that's not good either. I would hope and expect that OEM or genuine manufactured parts would come from origin of country of where the car is manufactured in the first place. Nowadays car parts are manufactured globally from mixed and matched places so it's becoming difficult to get everything from the primary country of origin.
As long as you or anyone else is happy with their parts and where they purchase from and the parts serve the owner well, then I suppose that's a primary aspect that matters and my opinion is moot unless it's a decision strictly for myself and my own preferences. I prefer Made in USA General Motors OEM parts.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Speaking about hoods, having the C8 Stingray now gives you a lot of options that were not around when the car came out in 2020.
Just installed the E-Ray 2025 Jake and of course it fits perfectly. Happy it doesn't have the E-Ray anywhere to be found and feel it does a nice job of balancing the C8 lines.
Is the Paragon ZR1 hood functional, or just a mock up?
No airflow through it, like it would function on a ZR1?
Thinking water intrusion in rain.
Says it can be used to give a "vented or non vented look", if I read their description correctly?
Says it's a "two piece configuration".
I would just go to the Autoaddictusa.com website and read all about it. It claims to be aerodynamically functional. It does say it has several water drain holes. It looks to be a fantastic piece to me, but what I like best is it is the closest replica yet that I have seen. Most others have the "duct opening sculpture" far too narrow, and too far forwardly placed. This one looks almost OEM. Whoever buys will have to wait until end of May to get it!
It's just a preference that I personally don't prefer anything from China but I understand sometimes it is difficult to avoid. I agree about the Corvette tax or maybe on any name brand even if it's coming from China so that's not good either. I would hope and expect that OEM or genuine manufactured parts would come from origin of country of where the car is manufactured in the first place. Nowadays car parts are manufactured globally from mixed and matched places so it's becoming difficult to get everything from the primary country of origin.
As long as you or anyone else is happy with their parts and where they purchase from and the parts serve the owner well, then I suppose that's a primary aspect that matters and my opinion is moot unless it's a decision strictly for myself and my own preferences. I prefer Made in USA General Motors OEM parts.
Bald Guy, we must go to the same barber 🤣 You can prefer all the USA made parts you want but the fact is you will never find a car in this country where some or most of the parts aren’t made in other countries. I understand your intentions but it’s impossible.
Is the Paragon ZR1 hood functional, or just a mock up?
No airflow through it, like it would function on a ZR1?
Thinking water intrusion in rain.
Says it can be used to give a "vented or non vented look", if I read their description correctly?
Says it's a "two piece configuration".
no airflow, and I’m okay with that. I’m a pilot and leave a go kit in the frunk for my on call days.
Some water will enter the hollow part of the hood but is directed to drain holes in the lowest, most forward part of the hood. Those drains align with the factory drains at the front of the female section on the frunk.
^^^ be sure to post pics once you've received it and installed it !
As one who has a LOT of carbon fiber I also considered buying a (regular) visible carbon fiber frunk lid when my hood also got hit by a sizable rock that ran up the hood for about 6". After repeated attempts to fix and touch up paint it my self, I took the car to a local painter...... I would have removed the hood and took it to him loose. He wanted $660 to repaint the entire hood.
Since I have a visible carbon fiber roof panel, we thought it might look like TOO MUCH CF so we went this route........ I fixed it, and then put the Jake hood decal on and you can't tell where it's been fixed.
If you want to see where I've swapped out EVERY carbon flash painted exterior piece for visible Carbon Fiber, check out the "sticky" thread on the other forum...... it's a very long thread, as I've been adding interior and exterior carbon fiber for almost 5 years.
where did you source the mirror carbon pieces. I assume most of these pieces are molded in China, Jogon seems to have good reviews. Are those stick on pieces, or replacements? I’ve always gotten a kick out of the stick on stuff, adding a bit of weight to appear lighter.
Last edited by Pandorasback; Mar 24, 2025 at 07:45 PM.
where did you source the mirror carbon pieces. I assume most of these pieces are molded in China, Jogon seems to have good reviews. Are those stick on pieces, or replacements? I’ve always gotten a kick out of the stick on stuff, adding a bit of weight to appear lighter.
I ordered from jorgon as well. Both types. The overlays for the mirrors didn’t fit well. I could see a small amount of the mirrors paint from the rear. It looked cheap. They fit perfectly before adding the 3m tape. I tried a few methods of tape application and couldn’t get a perfect result. The full replacement pieces are on the way as we speak. I also have the bottom half pieces sitting in my mailbox right now. To my knowledge those are only a stick on part. Fortunately the area those cover is black and not accelerate yellow. For what it’s worth the boomerang overlays from Jorgon fit like a glove.
I'm tell you alot of carbon fiber hoods are not made here, they are made in China. Alot of these companies say they make it but it's actually from companies like PowerMax from china.
C8 hood
