Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...*Big update. Pictures 3/6/11*

Topic: Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...*Big update. Pictures 3/6/11* (Read 14324 times) previous topic - next topic

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #60 – September 15, 2010, 10:03:56 AM

I was thinking about getting one fo those hoods, but after seeing the fit of it, I will get a different one, or something with a better fit.

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #61 – September 15, 2010, 07:02:43 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;335645

http://www.hairyglass.com/thunderbird.html

too bad they don't make cowl hoods

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #62 – September 15, 2010, 07:39:56 PM

Quote from: 1WLD BRD;335658

I was thinking about getting one fo those hoods, but after seeing the fit of it, I will get a different one, or something with a better fit.

Not sure exactly which one you are refering to, Champion or Hairy Glass?

Got some glass work done on the hood last week, added some material to the edge and closed off the reinforcement cross member(Cowl vent area is still open).

Edge work came out really nice, block off came out ok. Found out that the raised edges at the back of the hood are due to the hood pivoting forward on the firewall since I only had two hinge bolts in. Found this out after I got it back from my glass guy and installed my newly slotted hinges, using all four bolts to the hood. It sits off the front about 2" up.

Off to the glass guy for notching of the rear braces on Sunday!

P.S. If i wasn't saying it before Sarjxxx, I'm saying it now. DON"T BUY THIS HOOD! (Unless you are fairly resourceful.) I currently have about an extra $300 in time and material into this hood for corrections. And that is definitely not a shop rate.

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #63 – September 15, 2010, 07:50:09 PM

Thanx. I Don't plan on it. I have a few ideas floating around.

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #64 – September 15, 2010, 08:14:41 PM

The plain fact is that any fiberglass hood is not going to fit like the stock factory steel hood. They will all require fitment/tpuppies, sanding, filling of pinholes, and reinforcement around the hinge and latch areas. And even then, it's not going to be perfect. You have to expect all of this, and all the additional work, with fiberglass. If you do require perfection then simply keep the stock steel hood.

Honestly, my U.S. Body hood is heavier than the stock hood. I had no weight savings whatsoever. Now race hoods, that's a different story. They are lighter for weight savings but also not reinforced for street duty. They are pin-on only and should only be used on a non-street application. I've known a few people that bought race hoods for street use...end results are never pretty.

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #65 – September 15, 2010, 08:21:11 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;335710

I've known a few people that bought race hoods for street use...end results are never pretty.

How do you mean; what happened? Not like high speeds would hurt it right? I mean, thats what a RACE hood is disigned for isn't it?

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #66 – September 26, 2010, 04:41:29 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;335710

The plain fact is that any fiberglass hood is not going to fit like the stock factory steel hood. They will all require fitment/tpuppies, sanding, filling of pinholes, and reinforcement around the hinge and latch areas. And even then, it's not going to be perfect. You have to expect all of this, and all the additional work, with fiberglass. If you do require perfection then simply keep the stock steel hood.

Honestly, my U.S. Body hood is heavier than the stock hood. I had no weight savings whatsoever. Now race hoods, that's a different story. They are lighter for weight savings but also not reinforced for street duty. They are pin-on only and should only be used on a non-street application. I've known a few people that bought race hoods for street use...end results are never pretty.

Well, I definitely expected some work, but I can't believe they can't make a mold that actually fits the car. Anyways, I think I'm done with it now. My glass guy did a great job of getting the side gaps looking good, and I'll just do a little sanding to get the rear corners level.

The rear brace in no way fits the car. I removed about 3/4" from the height of it, and it still hits the firewall. Looking at it closer now reveals there may be a slight clearance issue with the Pass wiper arm, but I'll deal with it later.

Next up. Transmission, and then, it might actually get painted!!(We'll see.)

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #67 – September 26, 2010, 05:41:11 PM

i'm glad i actually took the time to read this thread.. i was about to order 1 for my capri after i saw the link, but that's just more BS than i'm willing to do.. i have enough work ahead of me. i'll just go back to my original idea and buy a cowl scoop, cut it up and turn make my hood look like an old mopar hood

that's more functional anyway

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #68 – September 26, 2010, 10:02:22 PM

Quote from: turbo_88_XR7;336813

i'm glad i actually took the time to read this thread.. i was about to order 1 for my capri after i saw the link, but that's just more BS than i'm willing to do.. i have enough work ahead of me. i'll just go back to my original idea and buy a cowl scoop, cut it up and turn make my hood look like an old mopar hood that's more functional anyway

Looking back, it probably would have been easier(And nicer) to order a steel cowl induction scoop, and weld it on.

What was I thinking! Oh yeah, weight savings...

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #69 – September 26, 2010, 10:06:02 PM

i meant a fiberglass cowl, cut it down to where i want it to reverse it and use panel bonding and rivets to secure it

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #70 – September 26, 2010, 11:59:41 PM

Quote from: turbo_88_XR7;336878

i meant a fiberglass cowl, cut it down to where i want it to reverse it and use panel bonding and rivets to secure it

I had a glass cowl on my stock hood for awhile, but I didn't want to worry about paint cracking from bondo and such after it was painted.

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #71 – September 27, 2010, 12:48:00 AM

not much bondo will be involved with mine.. the flat lip will get ground down on an angle and glassed with a very light coat of bondo.. if it cracks, it cracks.. i'm build a boosted streetable track car, not a show car lol

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #72 – September 27, 2010, 09:13:49 PM

Think that's the direction I'll end up going too. Definitely start with stock *shape* (dono whether glass or metal), cut big hole, meld on scoop, go from there. Add reinforcements or whatever and diy. Just doesn't seem to be the right prefab out there right now.

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #73 – February 12, 2011, 06:52:04 PM

Small update; got the hood clearanced for the wiper motor bulge in the firewall and so the hood is now firmly bolted on. With the opening in the back of the hood, I haven't seen any deflection, so I don't have hood pins yet, but I will probably before the end of the month.

Champion Fiberglass, and the hoods they make...Big update. Pictures 3/6/11

Reply #74 – February 12, 2011, 11:06:57 PM

I thought you said you posted pic(s). I only see 1. :disappoin

heh thats cool though. Glad you got it all straightened out. What a pita.