VIS Hood Quality???
04-01-03, 11:57 PM
#26
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The highest quality is generally from the original mfg. So, in this case, if you want better quality than the VIS "Knightsports" hood, then get the original Knightsports hood. With that said, the original costs about $2000, a lot of that coming from the fact it must be imported. Nowadays the knockoffs are really a better value, although some of them are crap and some are nice. Even the originals aren't going to be lighter than stock though, the stock RX-7 hood is aluminum and is already about as light as you can get, carbon fiber or no. Between the last 3 sevenstocks I've attended, NOTHING fits as good as stock except the REAL Mazdaspeed carbon fiber that I've seen. This includes lots of hoods that they claim "excellent fit", some had horrible fitment, some were pretty damn good, but I've seen probably 50 3rd gens with aftermarket hoods, and in person you can really see what is good and what is not. I've seen cars in pictures, then seen the same car in person, and those gaps look exponentially bigger in person. Remember, the stock hood fits so well it literally touches the rubber grommet in the front.
04-01-03, 11:57 PM
#27
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The highest quality is generally from the original mfg. So, in this case, if you want better quality than the VIS "Knightsports" hood, then get the original Knightsports hood. With that said, the original costs about $2000, a lot of that coming from the fact it must be imported. Nowadays the knockoffs are really a better value, although some of them are crap and some are nice. Even the originals aren't going to be lighter than stock though, the stock RX-7 hood is aluminum and is already about as light as you can get, carbon fiber or no. Between the last 3 sevenstocks I've attended, NOTHING fits as good as stock except the REAL Mazdaspeed carbon fiber that I've seen. This includes lots of hoods that they claim "excellent fit", some had horrible fitment, some were pretty damn good, but I've seen probably 50 3rd gens with aftermarket hoods, and in person you can really see what is good and what is not. I've seen cars in pictures, then seen the same car in person, and those gaps look exponentially bigger in person. Remember, the stock hood fits so well it literally touches the rubber grommet in the front.
04-03-03, 03:50 PM
#29
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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I have seen at least 4 original Mazdaspeed hoods. The fitment isn't nice. The gap on the passenger side is larger than the gap on the driver side. If the one you see is glossy, not flat, it's not the original. The original is vacuum formed and autoclaved so it looks flat. The underside of it is transparent with no gel coat.
The KS style hood I manufactured is as light as the original and the fitment is very nice. Ask Michel who also posted on this thread for his opinion.
The original Knight Sports carbon fiber hood is actually a piece of crap. They smoked all the edges to hide the loose carbon fiber thread. How do I know? I went to Tokyo Autosalon every year just to see those in person.
Chuck Huang
The KS style hood I manufactured is as light as the original and the fitment is very nice. Ask Michel who also posted on this thread for his opinion.
The original Knight Sports carbon fiber hood is actually a piece of crap. They smoked all the edges to hide the loose carbon fiber thread. How do I know? I went to Tokyo Autosalon every year just to see those in person.
Chuck Huang
Originally posted by Nathan Kwok
The highest quality is generally from the original mfg. So, in this case, if you want better quality than the VIS "Knightsports" hood, then get the original Knightsports hood. With that said, the original costs about $2000, a lot of that coming from the fact it must be imported. Nowadays the knockoffs are really a better value, although some of them are crap and some are nice. Even the originals aren't going to be lighter than stock though, the stock RX-7 hood is aluminum and is already about as light as you can get, carbon fiber or no. Between the last 3 sevenstocks I've attended, NOTHING fits as good as stock except the REAL Mazdaspeed carbon fiber that I've seen. This includes lots of hoods that they claim "excellent fit", some had horrible fitment, some were pretty damn good, but I've seen probably 50 3rd gens with aftermarket hoods, and in person you can really see what is good and what is not. I've seen cars in pictures, then seen the same car in person, and those gaps look exponentially bigger in person. Remember, the stock hood fits so well it literally touches the rubber grommet in the front.
The highest quality is generally from the original mfg. So, in this case, if you want better quality than the VIS "Knightsports" hood, then get the original Knightsports hood. With that said, the original costs about $2000, a lot of that coming from the fact it must be imported. Nowadays the knockoffs are really a better value, although some of them are crap and some are nice. Even the originals aren't going to be lighter than stock though, the stock RX-7 hood is aluminum and is already about as light as you can get, carbon fiber or no. Between the last 3 sevenstocks I've attended, NOTHING fits as good as stock except the REAL Mazdaspeed carbon fiber that I've seen. This includes lots of hoods that they claim "excellent fit", some had horrible fitment, some were pretty damn good, but I've seen probably 50 3rd gens with aftermarket hoods, and in person you can really see what is good and what is not. I've seen cars in pictures, then seen the same car in person, and those gaps look exponentially bigger in person. Remember, the stock hood fits so well it literally touches the rubber grommet in the front.
Last edited by rotaryextreme; 04-03-03 at 03:54 PM.
04-03-03, 10:02 PM
#30
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Chuck - I probably will have to wait for yours when I can convince my wife I NEED a new hood. You sound very credible and your reputation is positive. Could you share some underbody pics? Would be awesome if it had heat shielding & such as Crispy did.. immediate bolt up is a HUGE positive.
04-04-03, 07:30 AM
#32
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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Here are the photos of the old version. The new version has the black gel coat instead of white gel coat at the under side. Ours comes with the rain free block off plates and also the mesh for the vents.
Chuck Huang
Originally posted by Brentis
Chuck - I probably will have to wait for yours when I can convince my wife I NEED a new hood. You sound very credible and your reputation is positive. Could you share some underbody pics? Would be awesome if it had heat shielding & such as Crispy did.. immediate bolt up is a HUGE positive.
Chuck - I probably will have to wait for yours when I can convince my wife I NEED a new hood. You sound very credible and your reputation is positive. Could you share some underbody pics? Would be awesome if it had heat shielding & such as Crispy did.. immediate bolt up is a HUGE positive.
Last edited by rotaryextreme; 04-04-03 at 07:35 AM.
04-07-03, 07:41 AM
#34
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As long as it has the clear gel coat or clear coat, you can wax it just like regular paint.
Chuck Huang
Chuck Huang
Originally posted by Alpha-7
Do you recommend waxing carbon fiber...
Do you recommend waxing carbon fiber...
04-07-03, 08:14 AM
#35
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www.rx7revolution.com is putting together a package for mazdaspeed replicas hoods in fiberglass and carbon fiber as well as carbon fiber door sills, wings, door handles and many other interior parts. Several parts are already in circulation for member feedback and fit. I will have samples at the show. Please watch the sponsor section for official roll out "which will be soon" or email me for details.
04-07-03, 05:40 PM
#37
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Brentis, let me know if you end up getting one of the vis hoods or another one anytime soon. My car was a victim of the hail storm this
weekend and a new hood is going to be mandatory
Have to wait to see how much money insurance is gonna give me. Maybe I will get lucky and make a nice purcahse from Rotary Extreme.
James
93 mb
weekend and a new hood is going to be mandatory
Have to wait to see how much money insurance is gonna give me. Maybe I will get lucky and make a nice purcahse from Rotary Extreme.James
93 mb
Last edited by mako; 04-07-03 at 05:42 PM.
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