I have a friend in Japan who fabricates CF products for a variety of specialized cars - namely the Cosmo. He has just finished his CF Hood for the RX-8. He is interested to know what the interest in this type of product would be here in North America. As it stands now, with shipping to the U.S. on a single unit, the cost would be right at $1000. Of course if we were able to put together a group buy, we could use a more economical means of transportation and frieght them from Japan. I think the cost could go as low as $850 depending on the number. I am leasing my car and this is not an item I am personally interested in, but I want to help my friend out. The hood weighs 7 Kg (15.4lbs). So I don't think you are getting a significant weight savings, I think it is more for the look. Here are some pictures:

http://www.3rotor.us/img57.jpg

http://www.3rotor.us/img58.jpg

http://www.3rotor.us/img59.jpg

I would use it if my RX-8 was black, if not then I was thinking about the weight savings but you say there aren't any so I don't see the point. I dont like the look of a car with a different colored hood.

Originally posted by neit_jnf
I would use it if my RX-8 was black, if not then I was thinking about the weight savings but you say there aren't any so I don't see the point. I dont like the look of a car with a different colored hood.

i thought the RX-8 hood weighed 25 lbs...??

If my memory serves me correctly the hood/bonnet on the rx-8 is made of aluminum - thanks but no thanks.

Perhaps if it had some conservative ducting to assist in engine & radiator cooling. (and future FMIC possibly)

The RX-8's hood is made of lightweight aluminum and the weight savings would be negligible, not to mention you will lose on the engineering Mazda did to make it a safer hood should you hit something with your car.

Pretty nice, but for ~10lbs I really don't think it's worth it.... for $1K you could buy a full exhaust system..

Like evel333, I would be interested if it was not oem spec, maybe a ram air duct similar to the 550 maranello and maybe some heat extractors like the concept drawings (I can't remember if they appeared on any of the cars) that were flanked off the rotor indent. The air box is centered up and appears it would not be very difficult to make it match up with the scoop and even keep it sealed.

its cool that he made one and is helping out with a gb... however that is WAY overpriced for a cf hood, especially an OEM looking one. I can get CF hoods for like $290 now in the US. I am not sure what kind of construction that hood is, if the weave is good, uv protection, or the skeleton frame... that would be helpful.

The aluminum hood that already comes on the RX-8 is super light, as mentioned.

I could not believe it when I opened the hood of the RX-8 at the Rev-It-Up in Atlanta. Quite noticeable.

No thanks.

As "Rice" as this may sound, but for the difference in weight and safety you might as well take your hood off and paint it black!

the aluminium hood was developed for two reasons, firstly weight reduction

and secondly (more importantly) to improve performance in pedestrian impact tests, these have recently become a more important part of the european crash safety tests.

(i believe primarily due to the number of killer 4X4's on the road)

nice bit of manufacturing technology, but possibly a somewhat misplaced effort.

3Rotor, good luck to your mate.

Actually the proposals being made for pedestrian vs. vehicle crashes involve spreading the impact over a greater portion of the leg/body and providing a "soft" place for the body/head to land when hit by a moving vehicle. The frontal area of cars is getting smaller and smaller which leads to a high pressure/sq. inch impact zone and greater damage.

I'm speculating a little, but carbon fiber is somewhat flexible. I've damaged one in an accident. It tends to flex/bounce back whereas metal deforms permanently. I don't see how adding a carbon fiber hood is going to make your car more dangerous to a pedestrian.

I will say that the hood should provide some sort of vents if he's going to tackle this...third gen guys LOVE vented hoods! Even n/a rotaries produce a lot of heat. It'd be a good investment. Slap on a turbo/supercharger and in my book, it'd be a necessity. And I do agree, cost does need to come down some, although my CF hood was around $1100 (third gen).

I believe there's a picture somewhere on the forum pages, but the aluminium hood is formed with dozens of 'trumpet' cone shapes on the inside face allowing the outer skin to be as light as possible while still holding it's shape.

interested if it has vents instead of scoops
but the vents must be purposfully places so it serves some purpose and wouldn't affect the engine in the rain

but not at my price rage, maybe 300 bucks cheaper

good luck

Anyone know of any companies making or are in the process of creating a lightweight carbon fiber hood?

there has been talk. search.

thanks wakeech...never really looked for it yet...

carbon fiber hood (http://www.r-3.jp/info.htm)

I would tell you more but unfortunatly i cant read japanese ;)

The weight difference between carbon fiber and the stock hood can't be that much. The RX-8 aluminum hood is already pretty light. Other than for looks, I don't see the point.

thanks for the pic..it looks sweet...i can read japanese..it says the carbon weaves are marvelous and the craftsmanship is good.. it also says that it has a slight difference in weight compared to stock...

http://www.intensepower.com/aeex4.html

Nice...really expensive but nice...anyone play auto modelista yet? if you hook up the rx8 in the game it looks bad ass..

Woo... i play that game but havn't really tried the RX8.. the handling system in that game isn't really fun.... all the cars dun really feel much different... preffer playing Gran Turismo 3 / Concept

Well its Dry carbon says the Japanese, which is a LOT lighter then anything hehe. Sure is cheap for DRY vise WET.

JT

Wow for almost $1,700 it better be light.

Maybe it will help my gas mileage... ooops that's another thread.:cool:

I believe that fiber images is working on one!

Hey Guys, I'm have a guys that's goin to make my Hood in carbon Fiber, Direct Bolt on. I'm just want to know if anyone else would be intrested in one. I'm thinking about a stock look or one similar to the picture below.

it all depends on the price.. the actual hood is very light as is so anything else might be a little of throwing money ..

this is more for looks,,,that's all ,,,I'll say around 550-700. around there

Marcos, I'd consider the AD9 hood from RE-Amemiya as a model. "Slightly" more conservative and it doesn't have the viper-esque front duct. Just a thought.

If you make a hood for the 8 that looks like either one of the two shown on this thread I will be interested

Depending on what price I'm quoted for fixing my newly dented hood, I may be interested. :mad:

OK PERFECT. I'LL TAKE MY HOOD TO THE GUY, SO HE CAN START,

Like I told you on the phone man, I will be the first to drop the hood on my car.

i posted this in your other thread but I think if you keep the oem look and elongate the indentation that is already in the hood and add the same style vents it would look bad *ss. it would look something like this. If I have time this week I will finish the photoshop so it looks a lil flatter like the RX7 hood and not so bubbley
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p9fec7548fc3a8f8193ec0f2a22ffabdd/fb3d3708.jpg

that hood you are making on the white rx8 looks AWESOME. I like your idea

hey wut company made the hood for the yellow rx7 and is that a stock body kit ? sorry for da dumb comments...

the yellow rx7 does not have any stock pieces. It must be a aftermarket bodykit and intercooler. Looks great

why don't you make a cabon fiber hood like the same as the concept rx-8

http://www.mazda.com/mnl/200102/img/rx8.jpeg

http://www.autoimage22.iwarp.com/images/mazd010.jpg

also i'll try make a chop of what i would like

Michel, did you buy a RX8?

Yes I got my rx8 on july 27th

I would be interested in a c/f hood depending on they styling.

Mike, look at the name again. Michel not Michael :-) Dave, no, didn't buy one "yet" but I did play one on TV last night. J/K. Actually I test drove one (in the rain) today for the first time. Coming from a single turbo RX7 it was a bit underwhelming but it seemed to handle nice and was fun to drive regardless....definitely a BMW competitor and as such I'll probably purchase one sooner than later. Unless I do go three rotor. I'll be broke naturally and won't be able to afford an 8 :-)

Originally posted by X-R8ed
i posted this in your other thread but I think if you keep the oem look and elongate the indentation that is already in the hood and add the same style vents it would look bad *ss. it would look something like this. If I have time this week I will finish the photoshop so it looks a lil flatter like the RX7 hood and not so bubbley
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p9fec7548fc3a8f8193ec0f2a22ffabdd/fb3d3708.jpg :eek:
that car is clean. where can I get that hood? somebody please!

that car is clean. where can I get that hood? somebody please!


its photoshopped

hood isn't real but hopefully in time someone will make something like it

im sure someone will edventually

there are many of us that have been calling for the vented hood from the prototype since the day we found out it was changed. if someone would make a hood like the one below, whether carbon fiber or aluminum they would sell a ton, which is alot considering the weight of either material.

http://www.mazda.com/mnl/200102/img/rx8.jpeg

Originally posted by mikeb
the yellow rx7 does not have any stock pieces. It must be a aftermarket bodykit and intercooler. Looks great

That is a Scoot hood and Mazdaspeed GTC front bumper, or replicas of same.

very nice

For those who might be interested a friend found this on ebay.. sure didnt take long for someone to make these..

Looks pretty nice from the pictures

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36475&item=2435470410

-Chris

Yeah, it does look good. But, I'd be interested in knowing how much weight you actually save since the hood is already aluminum. Does anyone know what the stock hood weights?

I've never been a fan of carbon fiber hoods
however I do like custom hoods

Ebay says he is in the Beach Cities, Ca. I would asume he means Southbay Area (Manhattan..Redondo) or possibly down to Huntington Beach. I may check this out in person.

What about the weave and quality....fitment etc?

i dont like ebay hoods... my friend got one and it was off by like degrees

it would help to see it on the 8

extremedimesions.com sells a rx8 carbonfiberhood for 699

Attack of the killer pop ups...:eek:

I know, sorry

extremedimension is aslo the home of ricers

says who

my grandma

SERIOUUUUUSLY!!!

I spotted this CF hood (see pics below) last week and e-mailed the guy. Here's what he said:

BTW - the price is sweet. I paid almost $800 for my Turbo II C/F hood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2436960324

----- Original Message -----
From: "jasper lin" <bodykit4u@yahoo.com>
To: <vaughnc@earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: Question for seller -- Item #2435819784

hey, thanks for your help. yes the carbon fiberhood RX8 is handmade in Los angeles. so the fitment is guarantee. u can buy now the hood for $459 plus flat $165 shipping and handling. total shipped is $624 and please send the money order made out to Jasper Lin to:

Jasper Lin
956 ericksen drive
Pomona CA 91768
909-228-6856

or pay-pal at bodykit4u@yahoo.com. or credit cards by phone. will only ship after received payment. If payment send by mail please include this copy together with payment. please allow 7 to 12 working days depending on area for delivery because of the sofa
size box(79x39x26)weight 50-55 lbs. Can only be shipped by freight truck(Bullet freight company).

Insurance and tracking # will be provided after shipment. Have any questions call me or email me. Very important that u include the businees or your Telephone # for the freight company to verify address. shipment will be delayed until # is provided. thank
you very much for your business.

jasper

Info I need for business address:
Business name
business address
business phone #
your phone #
attention to who?

residential address:
your name
address
phone # (very important)


--- atlantarotaryfan@earthlink.net wrote:
> Are these imported are are you making them in the
> US? Love to pass this along to all my rx-8 friends.
> Do you have a website?
>
> -- vaughnc
> Atlanta, GA
>
> 89 RX-7 Convertible
> 91 RX-7 Turbo II
> 89 Mazda 929 / JH Cosmo Luce Royal
> --------------------
>
>
> Question from: atlantarotaryfan
> Title of item: Mazda 04 RX8 Carbon Fiber
> Hood OEM Body kit
> Seller: juiceper
> Starts: Oct-03-03 10:30:19 PDT
> Ends: Oct-13-03 10:30:19 PDT
> Price: Starts at $479.00
> To view the item, go to:
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?iewItem&item=2435819784

http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/b5/bb/97_1.JPGhttp://i12.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/b5/5d/e9_1.JPG
http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/b5/5a/5a_1.JPG

Pretty cool. How much weight does a carbon fibre hood save?

Won't it throw off 50/50 balance?

I guess it's for people that think Aluminum is just too damn heavy... anyways, I would think that if you were going to replace a body panel with carbon fibre, you would choose one of the heavier panels, not the already lightened hood. As for screwing with the 50/50, that, of course, would depend on how much it actually saves...

Then there is the other side of it... If one was going to, say, want to rice out an eight, I would think of nothing "cooler" than to make it look like every other "cool" import and put as much carbon fibre on it as possible... Oh yeah, and don't you EVER think about painting it to match the body... carbon fibre is just sooooo coooooollll man....

:D

The factory hood is already extremely light. I'd put that money towards other performance applications, unless you just really want the look.

Weight savings isn't that much. It's mostly an appearance upgrade which is NOT ricey. C/F is very exotic looking, espcially when clearcoated. Fiberglass is what you'd want to use if you were replacing old school heavy bodypanels with a lightweight painted material.

I forgot to ask him if the hood comes with a subframe, but I assume it does. Otherwise you'll use hoodpins which looks good as well.

Case in point:

http://www.rx7club.com/photo/data/500/17672RE_hood_front.JPG
[img]

Um sorry but NOT exotic looking. It looks like you have had a wreck and havent had time or money to paint the thing to match. The car should look like it flows thats why we dont paint cars multi-colors. Im sick of seeing cars with primed body kits. CHEAP just my 2 cents.

While I don't think a CF hood looks bad, I don't think it looks exotic, either. Honestly, it's overdone and played out. A Ferrari Modena is exotic, but the darned hood matches the rest of the car. I saw a chick who had a CF hood on a 240SX, and had it tinted blue before clear coating it. I thought that was really classy, because it matched the body color, yet you could still see the CF "grain".

I like carbon fiber hoods that have color in them

Ive seen like red and carbon or blue and carbon

this way it goes with the car better than just carbon fiber IMO

I don't think those with color in them are carbon fibre, probalby kevlar hoods that you saw

I know you probably won't drop much weight with a cf hood, but a quality cf hood can be more resistant to damage than the stock hood. I've seen videos of people jumping on them, even driving over them, with no damage visible.

If you like the look and you buy a quality hood, I see no problem with that. At least it's actually used on race cars and would probably give a little weight savings. What I hate is poser stuff that just gives the look without any performance improvement (often exactly the opposite), like huge rear wings on front wheel drive cars and such.

what excatly is the difference between carbon or kelvar?

I think carbon is lighter / thinner but isn't as impact resistant (like aluminum). Kevlar is more impact resistant, but is heavier I believe. Can someone verify that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36475&item=2441861443

Looks cool. Not something I would buy, but I'd have to ask more questions about the latch, mounting for the hinges, etc....

this has been posted before...me personally, i would never buy a CFH online cause you'll never know how it will fit...

Then it must have been posted late yesterday, check the dates.

Just trying to share, but I agree with your comments 100%

someone is also selling one in rx8 parts thread
has anyone seen the carbon fiber hoods that have colored threads in them?
Like blue and carbon, or red

Yes, I have. Some manufactures weave in a colored bands of Kevelar with the carbon to give it some style.

thanks what I want
for my 8 would be red and carbon

red CF would look great on a red car. As long as you color match it should look ok. Unpainted CF looks good on black and most lighter silver colors.

Hey all, here is a pic of our OEM Carbon Fiber Hood for the RX8.

http://www.importadrenelin.com/images/04_RX8_OEM_CFHood.jpg


Made with 3 layers of carbon fiber, rolled edges, oem skeleton & latch.

Cheers All,
jlongshaw@importadrenelin.com

hi, ive come in contact with a local carbon fiber guy who does really really excellent work. his carbon hoods are not the cheap, weak skeleton, nasty looking ones you are accustomed to seeing from all the large companies out there right now.

his hoods are always 100% carbon fiber double sided, and are made through a vacuming process which insures great strength, fit and finish. at SEMA he had a interested buyer stand straight up on his S2000 prototype carbon hood with no give at all. needless to say he was sold. this is a similar finishing process which top secret uses to create their amazing hoods which often sell for upwards of $1,000.

i was seeing if there are any potential buyers on the board because it would be useless for him to make a prototype if there are no interested parties. im guessing the price would be somewhere around 6-700 per hood. anyone interested in a HIGH QUALITY carbon fiber hood please reply. if there is a pretty decent interest, i will send my hood to them right away to have a prototype created with pics for all of you.

have you lifted a stock hood, they are pretty light. I just don't see a big market for them.

where is the carbon fiber hood guy located at? Im interested in getting a CF hood, but want to see it in person first.

like i said, if there is a decent demand for these hoods to be put into production, then i will go ahead and prototype a hood and get pics out asap. the response so far has been no response so the hood will probably not be made unless there are a few potential buyers.

shit i'll buy it..depending on the quality..i hate those flimsy ass cheap cf like ones found on most civics...and if ican get it for under 600 like 500 550 that would be cool...

Can anyone discuss the weight difference of a CF hood and the factory one? I don't believe it to be sufficient enough to warrant buying one, but I could be wrong....

actually the CF hood for the 8 is pretty much useless...it would only matter if it had small openings (vents)...i would only get it for the look..

true so very true, GT possibly. I am very interested if he decideds to take this route.

Originally posted by vaughnc
I spotted this CF hood (see pics below) last week and e-mailed the guy. Here's what he said:

BTW - the price is sweet. I paid almost $800 for my Turbo II C/F hood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2436960324

----- Original Message -----
From: "jasper lin" <bodykit4u@yahoo.com>
To: <vaughnc@earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: Question for seller -- Item #2435819784

hey, thanks for your help. yes the carbon fiberhood RX8 is handmade in Los angeles. so the fitment is guarantee. u can buy now the hood for $459 plus flat $165 shipping and handling. total shipped is $624 and please send the money order made out to Jasper Lin to:

Jasper Lin
956 ericksen drive
Pomona CA 91768
909-228-6856

or pay-pal at bodykit4u@yahoo.com. or credit cards by phone. will only ship after received payment. If payment send by mail please include this copy together with payment. please allow 7 to 12 working days depending on area for delivery because of the sofa
size box(79x39x26)weight 50-55 lbs. Can only be shipped by freight truck(Bullet freight company).

Insurance and tracking # will be provided after shipment. Have any questions call me or email me. Very important that u include the businees or your Telephone # for the freight company to verify address. shipment will be delayed until # is provided. thank
you very much for your business.

jasper

Info I need for business address:
Business name
business address
business phone #
your phone #
attention to who?

residential address:
your name
address
phone # (very important)


--- atlantarotaryfan@earthlink.net wrote:
> Are these imported are are you making them in the
> US? Love to pass this along to all my rx-8 friends.
> Do you have a website?
>
> -- vaughnc
> Atlanta, GA
>
> 89 RX-7 Convertible
> 91 RX-7 Turbo II
> 89 Mazda 929 / JH Cosmo Luce Royal
> --------------------
>
>
> Question from: atlantarotaryfan
> Title of item: Mazda 04 RX8 Carbon Fiber
> Hood OEM Body kit
> Seller: juiceper
> Starts: Oct-03-03 10:30:19 PDT
> Ends: Oct-13-03 10:30:19 PDT
> Price: Starts at $479.00
> To view the item, go to:
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?iewItem&item=2435819784

http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/b5/bb/97_1.JPGhttp://i12.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/b5/5d/e9_1.JPG
http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/b5/5a/5a_1.JPG

do you have sam photos from the under part of the hood?

this front carbonfiber hood look

Maybe if the whole body was black carbon fibre.....it would look good

and this carbon fiber trunk and perfect look and 50/50 pefect light

and don forget to instal a carbon fiber gt wing spoiler

I'm Wanting to buy a carbon fiber hood because i think i am putting either gunmetal rims or black rims on my tit. grey 8. Think it would compliment the rims nicely..

fiber images is working on one right now...

their site should be going again soon http://www.fiberimages.com