carbon fiber siebon

[laborsmith]

The alternator is on the passenger side, so no rain. Yes I have experienced rain and snow w/o problem. I did put some duck tape over the computer next to the battery, just in case.

Laborsmith

 

[TIEfighter]

I noticed that they have a CF trunk deck/lid for the hatchback. Any word when one for the Sedan would come out? Also for the people who have already bought a CF hood what exactly is involved when installing it? Do I need to buy pins and all of that stuff to install it or can I use the same stock parts from the stock hood to attach/install the CF hood?

 

[Preloader]

I noticed that they have a CF trunk deck/lid for the hatchback. Any word when one for the Sedan would come out? Also for the people who have already bought a CF hood what exactly is involved when installing it? Do I need to buy pins and all of that stuff to install it or can I use the same stock parts from the stock hood to attach/install the CF hood?

The CF hood is a direct bolt on. No pins necessary, but not a bad idea.

 

[laborsmith]

I can not recall if you are using the extractor hood, but if you are than my example may apply: no pins. Apparently the extractor keeps pressure from building up under the hood. This is based on over four months and about 9000 miles (out of 12,000) including several thousand freeway miles, a portion of which was on I-65 near Henryville about the time the tornado was eradication that town.

If you have the OEM style CF Hood than I recommend pins.

Laborsmith

 

[TIEfighter]

I can not recall if you are using the extractor hood, but if you are than my example may apply: no pins. Apparently the extractor keeps pressure from building up under the hood. This is based on over four months and about 9000 miles (out of 12,000) including several thousand freeway miles, a portion of which was on I-65 near Henryville about the time the tornado was eradication that town.

If you have the OEM style CF Hood than I recommend pins.

Laborsmith

Why would I need pins for the OEM CF hood rather then the CW CF hood?

 

[Eric Smit]

Why would I need pins for the OEM CF hood rather then the CW CF hood?

Because the OEM looking CF hood doesn't have the extractor to release the pressure under the hood. The extractor hood literally has holes in it to release pressure.


-Eric Smit

 

[Red Sonic LT]

Why would I need pins for the OEM CF hood rather then the CW CF hood?

It's obvious you have never own a car with a cf hood. What happens is that the hood is so light and at higher speeds builds pressure, that the stock latch can't hold on to it. It ends up pretty much flying up, breaking your windshield, denting your roof etc. so hood pins are pretty much a must if your planning on doing some high speed runs. It's added insurance pretty much.

 

[TIEfighter]

It's obvious you have never own a car with a cf hood. What happens is that the hood is so light and at higher speeds builds pressure, that the stock latch can't hold on to it. It ends up pretty much flying up, breaking your windshield, denting your roof etc. so hood pins are pretty much a must if your planning on doing some high speed runs. It's added insurance pretty much.

You are correct. I've OBVIOUSLY never had a carbon fiber hood before. Because the Sonic is the second car I have ever owned. Also the first car that I owned had just like 5 aftermarket parts for it because the car was lame. This car has more aftermarket parts which is why I am here on SOF 'learning' about new features that I can add to my vehicle.

The reason I asked the pin question is because the stock hood DOES NOT have any pins in the front and stays on my car just fine. I've drove on the highway and believe it or not my hood doesn't fly off.

Thank you RedSonicLT for explaining me the pressure thing. I didn't know that the holes on the CW hood were meant to extract the air pressure from under the hood. That is pretty cool how technology can work like that. Makes more sense now why I would need pins in a carbon fiber OEM hood. This is because like you explained, the pressure would build up and fly off on the highway like in the movies.

 

[Red Sonic LT]

I wasn't trying to sound sarcastic, but also another thing is carbon fiber is not stronger than our stock hoods, so depending on how much resin the manufacturer used on it, the hinge on which our latch grabs onto could also snap off. Hoods have cf hoods have flown off many of times. Not saying all have. But would you really like to take the chance of having having extensive damage done to your new car, instead of having some hood pins put on. Also there are different types of pins you can look into. Some less noticeable than others.

 

[laborsmith]

Although Seibon makes cf hoods w/o a fiberglass undergirding, the ones made for the Sonic are cf over fiberglass which is why their Sonic hoods weigh twice as much as a full cf hood. Their Sonic CF hood weights half of what the OEM hood weighs, which itself was surprisingly light. I wonder if the Sonic hood is aluminum? I should know, but admit I do not.

Laborsmith

 

[SSpeckerwood]

wouldn't you want the air vents on the other side for a cooler air intake temp??

 

[laborsmith]

The vents are placed on the driver side because you do not want to direct rain water over the alternator, which is on the passenger side of the engine. When the hood arrived, I was surprised at how large the vents are, but it appears they are sized to make their functioning more effective.

Laborsmith

 

[laborsmith]

Just caught the cooler intake idea. The Sonic comes with a version of a cool air intake, so absent replacing the intake with a short ram intake, venting over that side should have no effect. In addition, the turbo will effectively increase the air temp at the point of impelling the air into the cylinders. But what the vents do is allow the engine to run at a slightly cooler temperature, which is good for performance and engine longevity but probably no so good for mpg.

Laborsmith

 

[Preloader]

Spending $800 on a hood kinda implies that one is not penny-pinching on optimal MPG

 

[TIEfighter]

I wasn't trying to sound sarcastic, but also another thing is carbon fiber is not stronger than our stock hoods, so depending on how much resin the manufacturer used on it, the hinge on which our latch grabs onto could also snap off. Hoods have cf hoods have flown off many of times. Not saying all have. But would you really like to take the chance of having having extensive damage done to your new car, instead of having some hood pins put on. Also there are different types of pins you can look into. Some less noticeable than others.

No worries man. Thanks for the info.

 

[Preloader]

Seibon CF Hatch and Fenders.
Simon at Body-Kitz gave me a nice price break for buying the set. I've inspected each piece and haven't found any damage or blemishes. Real quality stuff. I would recommend Body-Kitz to those interested in the CF upgrades.

The hatch does have fiberglass reinforced backing like the Seibon hood.
It weighs: 13.4 lbs

The fenders also have a layer of fiberglass for strength.
They weigh: 3.8 lbs each

I'm curious to find out what the stock stuff weighs, and will post the results here when I do the swap.

 

[Eric Smit]

Oh! Scandalous!


-Eric Smit

 

[laborsmith]

Looking forward to seeing these installed. Some Sonic body parts come from the Pontiac Stamping Plant, so if they are steel there could be a dramatic weight difference. I'm still thinking the hood is made of aluminum but haven't been able to find a source. Might be another example of my memory going, going, almost gone.

Laborsmith

 

[Preloader]

I highly doubt any of the panels are aluminum, given the production cost. Easy enough to confirm with a magnet though. Anyone care to step outside and see?

 

[Eric Smit]

I highly doubt any of the panels are aluminum, given the production cost. Easy enough to confirm with a magnet though. Anyone care to step outside and see?

Gimme five.

-Eric Smit