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:

 

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

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 ***..

 

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