How do you install CF hood?
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 407
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From: Honolulu,
What happens if your CF hood doesn't have washer holes? Will the washers spray fluid in the engine bay if you use them? Is there a way to disconnect it so it doesn't spray? Thanks for the imput guys.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,956
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From: Land of the landeaus
I'm having my hood installed today with the help of a local owner (thanks Bryan!) and
I'm still debating on whether to use the Sparco blue hood pins or not. I've also bought
the Comptech CAI because my weapon R has the filter exposed just under the J's Racing-style vents.
With two people 50cent, it should only take a few minutes to install and perhaps a bit
more to adjust for that "perfect" fit. If you decide to use hood pins, expect another 30-45
minutes for the drilling, etc. Their is already two holes perfect for the hood stems already
in place under the hood on the frame...about 30-inches apart. You can't miss 'em.
Anyone have any comments about the need for pins? I'm also thinking of going to
the dealer and ordering a set of black wiper nozzles to better match the carbon fiber.
If there is going to be blue on the hood anywhere, I'd rather have it on the pins.
I'm still debating on whether to use the Sparco blue hood pins or not. I've also bought
the Comptech CAI because my weapon R has the filter exposed just under the J's Racing-style vents.
With two people 50cent, it should only take a few minutes to install and perhaps a bit
more to adjust for that "perfect" fit. If you decide to use hood pins, expect another 30-45
minutes for the drilling, etc. Their is already two holes perfect for the hood stems already
in place under the hood on the frame...about 30-inches apart. You can't miss 'em.
Anyone have any comments about the need for pins? I'm also thinking of going to
the dealer and ordering a set of black wiper nozzles to better match the carbon fiber.
If there is going to be blue on the hood anywhere, I'd rather have it on the pins.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,840
Likes: 0
From: Come see me after class.
Most "carbon-fiber" hoods have a thin veneer of carbon-fiber over an inlay of fiberglass. Not all of them are lighter than the stock aluminum hood. Plus, you're not guaranteed a tolerance fit as fine as OE, so your aftermarket hood may not line up just right.
Personally, I see no point whatsoever in aftermarket hoods, especially when the car comes stock with an aluminum piece.
Personally, I see no point whatsoever in aftermarket hoods, especially when the car comes stock with an aluminum piece.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 0
From: Land of the landeaus
Bryan and I finished my carbon fiber hood install today. I won't speak for him but I
think it looks great on the suzuka, especially since my car has a black n' blue theme going
on anyways.
We had a perfect fit until we tried to get it to latch. It wouldn't grab so we loosened up
the three 10mm bolts holding the latch assembly together and just slid it up. OK, that
worked, but now the gap on the right was larger than the left. We tried adjusting the
10mm bolts on both corners and slid the hood over slightly. That helped but not enough
to satisfy either of us. At that moment, we went back to the latch assembly, untightened
the three 10mm bolts once again and slid it over as far to the right as we could, retightened
and that seemed to do the trick. The edges are lined up perfectly now. However, for some reason, the angle of the hood stand doesn't enter the hole at the proper angle so we dremeled away slightly until it would at least enter the hole enough to support the hood (which is crazy light...probably at least 3-4-lbs lighter than the OEM hood). We both weren't too crazy about drilling into the hood to install my Sparco hood pins and I'm not so sure I even need them, it latches down OEM strong. I'm going to go to the dealership I think and order some black wiper nozzles to better match the carbon fiber (instead of the suzuka ones which seem out of place resting there on
the hood).
The only thing I am a bit perplexed about is the passenger side is just a wee bit
higher than the driver's side as you run your fingers along the ridge.
You can push the hood down on the passenger side along the line between the hood and blue body until there is NO difference in height between the hood and body panel but as soon as you release your hand, it returns to that ever so slightly higher position.
It's not noticeable unless you're running your hand over it. From two feet away you
won't be able to tell. From the front of the car looking down on the hood, the fit looks perfect, I mean spot on. The driver's side levels perfectly, it's just the left side and again, only noticeable if you run your hand along the ridge between the two pieces.
I tried turning the bump stops but that isn't the problem so I'm not sure what
to do to try and get the left side down just a wee bit more but honestly, when I say it sits up higher, I'm literally only talking about the height of a Q-tip stem....not much.
I'm pretty anal about stuff but realize at this price, it's a great hood as is and most, after seeing it, would say I'm too damn anal, it looks and fits great.
Having said all this, you will DEFINITELY want another person helping you. Just good common sense.
Bryan was a trooper and Samuel Adams is his reward for helping me out.
We've got a nice group down here in So. Florida. I hope your local chapter is
as friendly with people helping each other get S2000 mods done right.
think it looks great on the suzuka, especially since my car has a black n' blue theme going
on anyways.
We had a perfect fit until we tried to get it to latch. It wouldn't grab so we loosened up
the three 10mm bolts holding the latch assembly together and just slid it up. OK, that
worked, but now the gap on the right was larger than the left. We tried adjusting the
10mm bolts on both corners and slid the hood over slightly. That helped but not enough
to satisfy either of us. At that moment, we went back to the latch assembly, untightened
the three 10mm bolts once again and slid it over as far to the right as we could, retightened
and that seemed to do the trick. The edges are lined up perfectly now. However, for some reason, the angle of the hood stand doesn't enter the hole at the proper angle so we dremeled away slightly until it would at least enter the hole enough to support the hood (which is crazy light...probably at least 3-4-lbs lighter than the OEM hood). We both weren't too crazy about drilling into the hood to install my Sparco hood pins and I'm not so sure I even need them, it latches down OEM strong. I'm going to go to the dealership I think and order some black wiper nozzles to better match the carbon fiber (instead of the suzuka ones which seem out of place resting there on
the hood).
The only thing I am a bit perplexed about is the passenger side is just a wee bit
higher than the driver's side as you run your fingers along the ridge.
You can push the hood down on the passenger side along the line between the hood and blue body until there is NO difference in height between the hood and body panel but as soon as you release your hand, it returns to that ever so slightly higher position.
It's not noticeable unless you're running your hand over it. From two feet away you
won't be able to tell. From the front of the car looking down on the hood, the fit looks perfect, I mean spot on. The driver's side levels perfectly, it's just the left side and again, only noticeable if you run your hand along the ridge between the two pieces.
I tried turning the bump stops but that isn't the problem so I'm not sure what
to do to try and get the left side down just a wee bit more but honestly, when I say it sits up higher, I'm literally only talking about the height of a Q-tip stem....not much.
I'm pretty anal about stuff but realize at this price, it's a great hood as is and most, after seeing it, would say I'm too damn anal, it looks and fits great.
Having said all this, you will DEFINITELY want another person helping you. Just good common sense.
Bryan was a trooper and Samuel Adams is his reward for helping me out.
We've got a nice group down here in So. Florida. I hope your local chapter is
as friendly with people helping each other get S2000 mods done right.
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 13,831
Likes: 2
From: Paradise Valley, AZ miss NYC
Russ your hood is probably resting on your intake at one point on the passenger causing it to be higher. I've seen this on other cars. If it's a slight lift you can raise the bumpers on the drivers side to try and even it out.