So you are interested in purchasing an aftermarket hood and want to know will it really be any benefit over your stock OEM Hood. The answer is yes it is worth it. There are several reason to consider an aftermarket Carbon Fiber Hood over your Standard hood: Performance, Looks, and Durability.
Let's start with the performance aspect of your new CF Hood over a OEM Hood. An OEM Hood is heavy in comparison to the weight of Carbon Fiber. A typical CF Hood can weigh several pounds less than the OEM Hood. This helps out with overall weight reduction if you are looking to shave a couple pounds on your race car. As well as being light, a Carbon Fiber hood is designed to be aerodynamic by nature, with the same amount or even less air drag then the stock OEM Hood. Some Carbon Fiber Hood are vented to allow air inside the engine compartment for engine cooling as well as functionality for ram air styled intakes. Rarely, will this be found on an OEM Hood. Now for the reason most custom car tuners chose a Carbon Fiber Hood over a OEM Hood. Carbon Fiber has a trademark look about it that is growing in popularity. There is no mistaking a Carbon Fiber Hood from a OEM Hood. Typically the CF hood is black or dark gray by nature. There is no need to paint the hood as its natural look enhances the vehicle and gives the car the sporty custom look. They also come clear coated from the factory for UV protection and a gloss finish. It stands out from the rest of the car letting everyone know that you are into customization and that you have a custom hood. An OEM hood generally does not add any custom feel to a modified ride.
Strength and Durability. Carbon Fiber is stronger than steel. Stronger than the OEM. Take a look at an OEM hood that is a couple years old. The paint is scratched and chipped, there are small dents that show up whenever someone looks at it, and there is that little patch of rust that is starting to grow. With Carbon Fiber, you don't have to worry about these problems. It is strong enough to handle the minor dings from rocks and road debris during everyday driving as well as racing applications. As Carbon Fiber Hoods typically are not painted, you never have to worry about paint pealing or chipping. Most importantly, as there is no metal in the construction of a Carbon Fiber Hood, you will never see that spot of rust that keeps showing up on your OEM Hood. So in OEM summary, it is a wise decision to upgrade your OEM Hood. There is no place for an OEM Hood on a modified or tuned race car. It is even beneficial for those who do not plan to do extensive OEM customization work to their OEM vehicle. So if you want to see more about OEM hoods vs aftermarkets, please visit the OEM upgrade links below:
- AIT OEM Hood Upgrade
- Extreme Dimensions OEM Upgrade
- JSP OEM Upgrade
- MimoUSA OEM Upgrade
- Sarona Designs OEM Upgrade
- Seibon OEM Hood Upgrade
- VIS Racing OEM Upgrade
|