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how do they hold up against the heat generated by the engine, specifically a stainless steel header?

do they hold up better than stock hoods or worse?

 
Rep Power: 419

I've had mine for over a year now. At first you could smell something. I think it was curing and the engine heat was making whatever solvents they used in the fiberglass evaporate. Now I can't smell anything like that. It looks good. No detectable deterioration from the heat. Only a couple of scratches on the outside from little rocks (much less than stock hoods though since the fiberglass is harder). I haven't taken it off during the winter either (as some people reccomend). I have the Fiber Images CF hood BTW. It's a nice hood. I haven't really had any weird problems with it.

 
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Same here. At first there was a little smell but it went away in a week. It doesn't have any scratches after 6 months and it has been extremely cold out here lately and there has been no problem. I have a Kaminari CF hood.

 
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Very interesting, but did you both clear coat the hoods after receiving them? I heard thats what ppl do after they get hoods to improve the finish and protect it.

One last thing, I've been noticing that some hoods have that carbon fiber trim above the upper grill and some don't. Which ones do and which ones don't? Do you guys just have it, but don't choose to use it? I prefer the ones with the carbon fiber trim. A little info from companies like Vis, Fiber Images, DG, and Kaminari would be nice if you can. Thanks...

 
Rep Power: 419

I didn't clearcoat mine. I probably should have though. Now that I have a paintgun of my own I'll do that ASAP. The Fiber Images CF hood requires that you transfer that little trim piece. Kinda sucks IMO. I would have preferred a CF hood with that trim piece already installed. Well... Already moulded into the CF hood as CF.

 
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I noticed that my carbon fiber dosent get as hot as my factory hood did i dont know if that is good or bad, and mine does have the trim on it, it is a VIS Invader style vented hood.

 
Rep Power: 361

i was looking at some cf hoods at tornactive.com and he labled the oem hoods grade c.
whats that mean? the quality isnt as good?

 
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They use carbon fiber in airplane brakes. It stands up to heat really well.

The composite also has some insulating qualities, so it will feel coller than steel on the outside. However, that means it is holding in more heat, so the engine bay may be a little hotter inside.