Fiber Images CF hood

[7mileshome]

I finally got mine and installed it a couple of days ago. It looks really nice except for a few scraches from shipping. Took more than 3 months to get.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll106/sevenmileshome/IMG_0247.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll106/sevenmileshome/IMG_0253.jpg

It comes with the clear coat on. The only thing that has to be done is to drill the holes for the hood bumpstops, and the rubber on the front of the hood. If you wanted to put the stock ducting you can, theres holes predrilled for that.

About the stock hood, Its really not that heavy, it was maybe 30 lbs at most. The CF hood is just rediculously light.

[DRKNYTE]

MORE PICS in the sun please!?!?!

[Babyface13]

Nice buy... I love mine!

[7mileshome]

MORE PICS in the sun please!?!?!

Will do brosif

[vtakk]

weight?

[7mileshome]

12-15 lbs

[iguanaboy]

MORE PICS in the sun please!?!?!

hers you go

[DAUC]

looks really nice

[Addison]

Looks gorgeous. How much did it cost ya?

[nypz]

def one of the nicer quality cf hoods ive seen in my days.

[7mileshome]

it runs about $800 from SU

[iguanaboy]

Mine was a little over 600 ..........but I bought it 2 years ago(wink)

[dandan2]

why didnt u get the one with the scoop?

[iguanaboy]

well if your talking to me they weren't out yet plus not a fan off the hood scoop. and 7mileshome and babyface have FMIC

[dandan2]

soooo! it would still keep engine temps down!

[dandan2]

and as for the scratches, i know u mentioned it already had clear on it but i would recomend u take it to a body shop and have a good uv protective clear coat put on it! most carbon fiber hood companies use cheap clear coat to make as much profit as possible!

[viking40]

I've been lookin at these; how hard was the install?? I've never tried to take my hood off, so just curious.

[dandan2]

2 bolts and washer hoses! and its off! that easy, better if u have 2 people!

[iguanaboy]

actually on a speed it's 4 bolts(2 on each hinge) and the ducting, still easy though(and are washers aren't part of the hood)

[viking40]

why didnt u get the one with the scoop?

If you go with the scooped one does that completely eliminate the stock ducting?

[iguanaboy]

If you go with the scooped one does that completely eliminate the stock ducting?

I believe it does but for $400+ extra it costs I would rather get another part

[Babyface13]

I believe it does but for $400+ extra it costs I would rather get another part


BINGO! Thats why I got the OEM style. reguardless its still a great product. Mine still looks brand new.

[mortimersnerd]

I don't love the scoop anyway. I like the sleeper look of the stock hood, and I can't imagine that there is much benefit on the street.

[Design]

If you wanted to put the stock ducting you can, theres holes predrilled for that.

I would say unless you're running a FMIC, it's a requirement.

Fit and finish look good.

[Babyface13]

I would say unless you're running a FMIC, it's a requirement.

Fit and finish look good.

I have a FMIC and still put the ducting back on this hood to help cool the manifold. I tried it without the ducting and drove just around the block and the hood it self was WAY hot to the touch. After I put the ducting on the CF hood that heat went away and the hood can be touched after a drive. In my opinion it is crucial weather or not you have a FMIC

[Captain KRM P5]

looks great on a dark car

[DRKNYTE]

hers you go

Those spots..... is the hood dirty or is that in the clear coat?

Thanks for the pics by the way. I like it!

[iguanaboy]

Those spots..... is the hood dirty or is that in the clear coat?

Thanks for the pics by the way. I like it!

It was dirty.I just washed car but it's raining now, I will take more if you like.

[USMCEvan]

I don't love the scoop anyway. I like the sleeper look of the stock hood, and I can't imagine that there is much benefit on the street.

My buddy with a red MS3 here in town has the vented hood, and I have the smooth hood. We compared them side by side, and despite that mine is red kevlar and his is black CF, the vent really does look sexier than the smooth hood, even on a red MS3 like mine/his.

To whomever asked, yes the vented hood comes with its own ducting inside, its all fiberglass and is sealed up nicely. Its pretty cool too, because even if you QUESTION the ability for it to direct cold air INTO the intercooler, there is NO DOUBT whatsoever that the vent also allows a LOT of hot air to escape from the engine bay when at a stand still, not to mention that the vent perfectly displays the 2.3L DISI TURBO from the TMIC cover.

All around badass hood for the car, though. Vented, or not. (rockon)(rockon)

[chippen]

Looks nice! where can u buy it?

[Nismothecat]

and as for the scratches, i know u mentioned it already had clear on it but i would recomend u take it to a body shop and have a good uv protective clear coat put on it! most carbon fiber hood companies use cheap clear coat to make as much profit as possible!

I had a Fiber Images hood on a previous car and it faded pretty bad.

[JOGADOGGZ]

I finally got mine and installed it a couple of days ago. It looks really nice except for a few scraches from shipping. Took more than 3 months to get.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll106/sevenmileshome/IMG_0247.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll106/sevenmileshome/IMG_0253.jpg

It comes with the clear coat on. The only thing that has to be done is to drill the holes for the hood bumpstops, and the rubber on the front of the hood. If you wanted to put the stock ducting you can, theres holes predrilled for that.

About the stock hood, Its really not that heavy, it was maybe 30 lbs at most. The CF hood is just rediculously light.

I was looking at this or the VIS Racing CF hood for the ms3. why did it take 3 months from Street Unit??

[iguanaboy]

Cause FI doesn't stock them and they are slow to make them

[TheDoc]

I was looking at this or the VIS Racing CF hood for the ms3. why did it take 3 months from Street Unit??

Since when does VIS make a hood for us?

[speed3guy]

Does anyone have the scooped version of this hood? Im just curious to see how it would look on the speed3! Ive seen a pic of the speed6 with the scooped/vented hood and it doesnt look to bad in my opinion!

[mazdaspeed32007]

I have a FMIC and still put the ducting back on this hood to help cool the manifold. I tried it without the ducting and drove just around the block and the hood it self was WAY hot to the touch. After I put the ducting on the CF hood that heat went away and the hood can be touched after a drive. In my opinion it is crucial weather or not you have a FMIC

your ducting worked like a barrier to the heat i bet. im almost sure it had nothing to do with actually cooling your manifold unless there was direct airflow to the manifold....even then....you would have to be moving at a decent pace to make the airflow blow the heat down the back of the heat shield. idk...sound turdy to me. get rid of the ducting and save the weight. plus...with the fmic i think you have to dump the top mount ducting to close the hood anyway.

[USMCEvan]

Does anyone have the scooped version of this hood? Im just curious to see how it would look on the speed3! Ive seen a pic of the speed6 with the scooped/vented hood and it doesnt look to bad in my opinion!

With the DG lip...
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/TJones5711/SpeedHollywood005.jpg

And now with the hood...
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/TJones5711/SpeedHollywood009.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/TJones5711/SpeedHollywood011.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/TJones5711/SpeedHollywood012.jpg



This is my buddy Taylor - Ive seen it in person, on a weekly basis, and it just gets sexier every time...... (whip)

http://www.moccforums.com/forums/index.php/topic,13905.msg336441.html#msg336441

[VRMS6]

Would recommend paint the sides of the hood red and black out the grill....

[USMCEvan]

Im doing that with mine, but he is still trying to find a different scheme to go with.

[speed3guy]

Hmmmm Im not sure on how I feel about that hood once I saw it! Maybe I just dont like CF hoods on the mazda 3's. Makes it look awkward to me! Id definitely recommend painting the sides like the other member said and that might make it look a ton better! Either way... thanx for the pics!

[Element]

Can someone photoshop that hood red?

[madvillian]

oh mah gah i love the vented hood. im not so sure i like it so much on the red car unpainted, but on a black car i think it would look great. like on my car =)

[destrux]

Yeah, it doesn't look right unpainted on a bright colored car. I know it wouldn't scream CARBON FIBER anymore, but I'd paint it if I were to put one on a red MS3. It looks great on a black car though, might look great on gunmetal too. Also not a fan of the scoop. The OE style keeps it cleaner. This is on my list now. Right after coilovers, fuel pump upgrade, FMIC and an acessport.

[mazdaspeed32007]

Yeah, it doesn't look right unpainted on a bright colored car. I know it wouldn't scream CARBON FIBER anymore, but I'd paint it if I were to put one on a red MS3. It looks great on a black car though, might look great on gunmetal too. Also not a fan of the scoop. The OE style keeps it cleaner. This is on my list now. Right after coilovers, fuel pump upgrade, FMIC and an acessport.

lol. thats quite the list. i have coilovers going on in the spring.

the fp, FMIC, and AP are are sick combo. youll love the car 10 times more after the fact.

[USMCEvan]

A picture of my buddy Marks red MS3 with his Fiber Images hood and painted sides.
http://www.gripgarage.com/images/gallery/sponsors/mark_01_large.png

[Dano2010]

Very nice. I am going to get the Fiber Images hood with scoop and paint it like that or mabe even a smaler area with the CF left showing. Just from the front of the hood up and around the scoop opening.

[Dano2010]

P.S. How is the quality of the hood? Nice fitment, gaps between the hood and fenders are tight, underside looks good???

[USMCEvan]

Fits pretty well. Mine was a LIIIIIIIITTLE bit too small but I was able to easily place it centered so that there werent any mojor gaps on any side, just a little tiny bit all around, but still, no problem.

[8.5MS3]

looks real nice, I would paint mine if i got it. Dont you need extra hood pins to keep the hood from opening?

[Dano2010]

Fits pretty well. Mine was a LIIIIIIIITTLE bit too small but I was able to easily place it centered so that there werent any mojor gaps on any side, just a little tiny bit all around, but still, no problem.

thanks for the input...I think I will get one this spring. Did it take like 3 months for you to get yours??

[USMCEvan]

I had shipping isses with mine only because I ordered it while I was in Iraq, so when they tried to ship it, they couldnt reach me on my cell phone to schedule a delivery time(duh!) so they took it back to the factory. They tried to make me pay the shipping again but I refused to, so ********** covered the shipping for me (almost $400 since I had several parts) and I had it about a week later.

You dont need hoodpins for this hood, it fits the factory latch. I would hang myself if I was stupid enough to drill holes in my beautiful hood just for a pair of ugly hoodpins. If you want to do it, most shops should be able to help you out, but they wont be required to keep it shut.

[8.5MS3]

I had shipping isses with mine only because I ordered it while I was in Iraq, so when they tried to ship it, they couldnt reach me on my cell phone to schedule a delivery time(duh!) so they took it back to the factory. They tried to make me pay the shipping again but I refused to, so ********** covered the shipping for me (almost $400 since I had several parts) and I had it about a week later.

You dont need hoodpins for this hood, it fits the factory latch. I would hang myself if I was stupid enough to drill holes in my beautiful hood just for a pair of ugly hoodpins. If you want to do it, most shops should be able to help you out, but they wont be required to keep it shut.

i wouldnt do it for asthetics, ive heard that the cf hoods can fly open and the stock latch isnt really enough, so pins are recommended

[USMCEvan]

On some hoods, maybe, but the Fiber Images hood looks like the latch is on there pretty secure. Ive spent quite a while at high speeds (140+) on the open freeway with this hood on, and had no trouble with it wobbling or looking like its going to come off.


Only takes once, though, I guess. lol

[Dano2010]

Since CF is as strong as steel, and FI molds the nuts into the CF for the latch assembly, there is no way it can come lose and fly off. IMHO.

[mazdaspeed32007]

Since CF is as strong as steel, and FI molds the nuts into the CF for the latch assembly, there is no way it can come lose and fly off. IMHO.

what happens if you forget to latch it? example #1. lol.

ooooor you dont tighten the bolts....

ooooooooooooor you use zip ties?

just sayin.

[8.5MS3]

cf is as strong as steel when required. I dont think the weave pattern is for ultimate high strength. Its for lightness. Also if the nuts are woven into the fabric, then 1/2 the strength of the cf is holding the nuts in place. and all that force is being concentrated over a very very small area.

[meicalnissyen]

Since CF is as strong as steel, and FI molds the nuts into the CF for the latch assembly, there is no way it can come lose and fly off. IMHO.

thats not quite true, it depends on how the material is loaded. CF excels in a stiffness to weight comparison, but not so well with high pressure localized forces. that type of loading overs stresses individual fibers, which break and pass the load to the fibers next to them the part then loosens and falls out.

So, molding a heavily loaded stud, or nut directly into the matrix is poor practice. A steel (aluminum, titanium) plate with the nut/stud welded to it serves as a load spreader, and keeps local forces down.

Just saw 8.5;s post, he said the same thing with way fewer words

[Dano2010]

what happens if you forget to latch it? example #1. lol.

ooooor you dont tighten the bolts....

ooooooooooooor you use zip ties?

just sayin.

Well I can't help it if you don't close your hood or perform the install correctly.(uhm) Ha!

Zip ties....haden't thought of that one. When I get mine this Spring I'll sure give that one a try....not!

[Dano2010]

thats not quite true, it depends on how the material is loaded. CF excels in a stiffness to weight comparison, but not so well with high pressure localized forces. that type of loading overs stresses individual fibers, which break and pass the load to the fibers next to them the part then loosens and falls out.

So, molding a heavily loaded stud, or nut directly into the matrix is poor practice. A steel (aluminum, titanium) plate with the nut/stud welded to it serves as a load spreader, and keeps local forces down.

Just saw 8.5;s post, he said the same thing with way fewer words

Agree with you both. I haven't seen this hood but perhaps the OP can tell us if they mold a plate in. I got to believe they do. Almost any Fiberglass hood I have seen [of good quality] does it this way and CF is basicly the same process. Hell if they don't do it that way for a 1k hood I don't want it. Im not driving a 69 Mustang and want chrome hood pins sticking out the top of my hood!!!

[Dano2010]

Agree with you both. I haven't seen this hood but perhaps the OP can tell us if they mold a plate in. I got to believe they do. Almost any Fiberglass hood I have seen [of good quality] does it this way and CF is basicly the same process. Hell if they don't do it that way for a 1k hood I don't want it. Im not driving a 69 Mustang and want chrome hood pins sticking out the top of my hood!!!

Just re-read my post and I didn't meant to mislead about FI molding just the nuts into the the CF. I don't know how they do it but a plate w nuts is def the way to go. [did I just say a plate w nuts outloud?]

[SRTie4k]

And now with the hood...
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/TJones5711/SpeedHollywood009.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/TJones5711/SpeedHollywood011.jpg



Can you say WRX?

[mazdaspeed32007]

yes i can....but that was a mazdaspeed3. lol.

[TheCampo]

Love the signature! WOW did not know it had that. So slick!

I would get mine in the red Kevlar to match the velocity red paint job on my MS6. Seeing as your car is black you got the savings of not having to choose to go color or not.

Was well worth the wait.
ENJOY

PS saved these pics a while ago... off I believe the SU forum.

I keep ending up in the 3 forums LOL! WEIRD.. I haven't even been drinking tonight.

[mazdaspeed32007]

the red cfr hood looks.....cough cough.

[Dano2010]

+1 on the cough

Do they use rice to turn CF different colors??

[TheCampo]

Not my car....

So you guys don't like it I guess....

I do! Looks a lot better in red than if it were black on a red car. IMO Feel a black CF hood on anything but a black car is sort of rice. I like color matching. I wold rather paint the black CF hood stock color so no one even knew.

PS they do use rice to make it red. How did you know? Suppose to be a secret. SHHHH

[mazdaru]

Can you say WRX?

these hood scoops are hideous. i would never drive around with a hood like that on my car

[AllLostThings]

Kind of makes it look like an SRT-4 Neon to me. Not hating on it... just saying.

[Dano2010]

Not my car....

So you guys don't like it I guess....

I do! Looks a lot better in red than if it were black on a red car. IMO Feel a black CF hood on anything but a black car is sort of rice. I like color matching. I wold rather paint the black CF hood stock color so no one even knew.

PS they do use rice to make it red. How did you know? Suppose to be a secret. SHHHH

I guess the secret is out now....sorry about that :D

And yeah I knew it wasn't yours and I don't like it but to each his own for sure. In the pics you posted the hood is red CF and the grill is just black CF...come on get it together or don't do it at all. Not hating anyone for the choices they make though. And you are right about how a black CF hood would look without paint on a non black car.

I have been thinking about getting the version with a scoop and I would actually paint the sides red to match my car which would look like the pic a few pages up on this thread. I am on the fence though about the whole project;

1) Not even sure I like the scoop anymore
2) Don’t' want to put pins in my hood.

There was a post earlier in this thread about pins being required and I commented that I didn't think there were but since then a guy I know had a CF hood [Sibon or something like that, good brand anyway] on his 350Z fly off and when he contacted the manufacturer they said pins were required and tough shit.

anyway, I'll quit vomiting my thoughts out.

have a good one and enjoy your hood if you get one!

[JOGADOGGZ]

A picture of my buddy Marks red MS3 with his Fiber Images hood and painted sides.
http://www.gripgarage.com/images/gallery/sponsors/mark_01_large.png

This looks much better with the sides of the hood painted to match the car.

[UHATEIT]

I bet that scooped version set you back a month's rent eh?

[elderlycoffee]

where can I but the scooped version?

[creedns]

Id only get a cf hood if i color matched it but left the underside bare cf that way u could only tell when it was open. otherwise bare cf on anything but black looks like shit poop