Robert Linton

Over the past year, I have talked a bit (some would say too much) about carbon fiber and certain of the intricacies thereof. Attached is a picture of a 1/4 scale test hood made using what I believe are the best scanning and molding procedures for this type of part. It weighs approximately 135 grams (4.8 ounces), is true to the original (i.e., the full size version will fit perfectly) and has a flawless finish, i.e., no pinholes, rough spots, etc., such that it could be painted with virtually no preparation.

<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/testhood.jpg" alt=" - " />

96P993

What would cost be on such a perfectly made hood??

Robert Linton

If one were to make the hood commercially, I would estimate the cost (with, frankly, a reasonable profit margin) to be approximately $3000. On the other hand, the Porsche aluminum hood cost more than $2000 and other carbon hoods now available are more than this. The difference, other than weight and strength, is that, if it is going to be painted, one will not incur the type of multi thousand dollar bills that I have seen all too often for preparation and fitting so as to make it look as good as a painted steel unit. Additionally, the hood will be made using one piece of carbon cloth so as to eliminate the usual seams.

cmoss

And Robert will never say, he's too coy... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Wow, I withdraw my comment!

Robert Linton

CMoss

I did not say, I suggested!

96P993

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Silver Bullet:
<strong>If you have to ask.... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I figured asking was better then just putting my credit card # on Rennlist...Better for me that is!!

DJF1

Do I hear a GROUP BUY brewing?

nman413

What are the weight savings between this and the orig. hood?

I need to go ask for a raise just to support this habit!

JC in NY

Will such a hood flex under the aero loads of 150 mph?

Robert Linton

Weight savings should be approximately 25 pounds. It will withstand more than you (or I) could give it!

Cupcar

I don't think I could bring myself to paint such a beautiful piece, I'd want to paint the whole car black and leave the CF hood natural instead! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Robert Linton

Personally, on my car, I am leaving the hood in carbon.

JasonAndreas

Nice Hood! What did you use to scan in the old hood to create the aluminum mold for the CF hood?

Robert Linton

Photo scanning plus CAD plus multiple thousand pound blocks of aluminum plus 5-axis milling machine plus specially ordered wide fabric plus craftsmanship.

Tim Ashfield

Wow! I agree don't paint it.