Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Carbon Fiber Hood (Read 2114 times) previous topic - next topic

Carbon Fiber Hood

I would love to have a carbon fiber hood for my 86 Bird. Every time I lift the hood, it feels as if there is a cinder block sitting atop of it. I know of several glass hood manufacturers, but has anyone ever made a CF hood for our cars? Back in the day, I remember all kinds of body kits and such that have since been discontinued.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #1 –
http://www.hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html

Id try giving this guy a call. you can also consider making your own, theres videos on youtube! I think most guys make a fiberglass mold of the top and bottom of the hood, a "negative" if you will. Then you lay carbon fiber in the molds, pull the epoxy through. Allow to cure, then you have a "positive" of the top and bottom. Epoxy those together and done. That's it in a nutshell :)

-Kyle
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #2 –
You could also change out the hood hinges with the later ones that have the springs. Makes lifting easier, and you don't need a prop rod anymore.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #3 –
Quote from: kylesburrell;459023
http://www.hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html

Id try giving this guy a call. you can also consider making your own, theres videos on youtube! I think most guys make a fiberglass mold of the top and bottom of the hood, a "negative" if you will. Then you lay carbon fiber in the molds, pull the epoxy through. Allow to cure, then you have a "positive" of the top and bottom. Epoxy those together and done. That's it in a nutshell :)

-Kyle

As a matter of fact, I watched those videos. A very time consuming process.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #4 –
Yeah it is! And theres quite a bit of investment with that process. If your sole purpose is to shed weight, you can also consider cutting away the "structure" from the underside of the hood. Leaving you with just the "skin" of the hood. But dont be surprised if its more flimsy. Then run hood pins instead of the hood latch. Just some ideas!

-Kyle
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #5 –
The big issue is the tooling. There are a number of vendors that offer fiberglass hoods that have the tooling. Would be nice if they could lay one up using CF vs. glass mat.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #6 –
I never did get the fascination with the search for lighter hoods for these cars. A lot of fiberglass hoods, including the one on my '86, are actually heavier than stock. The factory hoods just weren't that heavy to begin with, folks. Weight savings with fiberglass might be 10 lbs. Mine is for show and clearance, not for saving weight. So...unless you're a hardcore racer and shedding every pound possible, you may be better off stock...just my $.02.

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #7 –
Come on, $500 plus prep work and paint to save 10 pounds? Where do I sign.

Id rather buy another car then a hood I wouldnt want anyone to lean on so it doesnt break.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #8 –
Not sure if any of you guys know Ethan in Ohio that autocrosses a bad ass blue/black TC.  I watched him make a CF hood for his car and it took a long time to get it perfect and he told me he had over $1000 in materials just to make one hood.

It looks totally killer now but when I inquired making another he said not a chance.
Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Haystack;459042
Come on, $500 plus prep work and paint to save 10 pounds? Where do I sign.

Id rather buy another car then a hood I wouldnt want anyone to lean on so it doesnt break.

Might be easier/cheaper to loose 10lbs around my belly lol
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #10 –
Im gonna weigh the weight difference between the stock prop rod and hinges vs the spring 87-88 hinges. Then im gonna weigh power vs manual windows and seat tracks, just to see what the difference is.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #11 –
There's definitely some weight to be saved in the power seat tracks ...

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #12 –
I'm just saying, if the only beef is how heavy the hood is to lift, swap in the spring hinges and be done. Makes lifting the hood a breeze.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7
 

Carbon Fiber Hood

Reply #13 –
I talked to Ethan today to see if he would consider making another one for me. He politely declined. Said he doesn't have the spare time and wouldn't touch another one for less than $1500. Said to make another true double sided bolt on hood there is $450 in fabric and $330 in epoxy alone. plus all the hours of labor.
 





He told me if over this winter he decides to make CF fenders for his car he will consider doing a hood for me.
Brian R.
88 2.3t Ranger
83 TC  gt40p motor,Vortech,TFS1 cam,long tubes,MS PnP,T5,8.8,17x9 Cobra 17s