The finished product
 

Before paint for those that prefer the all CF look:

Attachment 111257

Attachment 111258

After paint for the custom look:

Attachment 111259

Attachment 111260

Attachment 111261

Hood struts
 

Added a set of Z1 hood struts. No worries about over stressing and cracking the CF because they don't attach to the CF - they attach to the metal bracket the hood attaches to and the body panel.

Attachment 111262

Welded these up as a prototype. They're too big to actually use but serve for planning purposes.

Attachment 111263

Attachment 111264

If I had it to do again I would use something like this mounted to the crossmember, install the pins at the proper angle and then locate the holes in the CF hood. What I have, although not recommended and less than ideal, works so 'if it ain't broke - don't fix it'. I will however inspect the pins regularly for signs of failure. I have spare carbon steel pins that are bendable to use as replacements if I have to.

I ordered the VIS CF hood... I cant wait to get it, Im still debating on weather or not im going to go with hood pins or not.

I would not consider installing one without the pins. The cf hood has metal inserts laid in the fiber to receive the bolts for the hinges, the latch, and the hooks. If the fiber were to fail over time the hood could fly off while you are driving. Besides the safety issue your hood would be destroyed along with the hinges and who knows what else.

Others may poo poo the idea as unnecessary but we all make choices and live with the consequences.

This is true, but good god it looks like a big pain in the *** to install these... (the correct way)

Last Pics
 

Here is how I attached the washer fluid lines to the underside of the hood since I was unable to locate a drill bit for square holes. I placed them in the square recess exactly where the oem connectors mounted. Made for a clean install.

Attachment 111524

Attachment 111525

Attachment 111526

That about wraps up this thread from my end. Feel free to post or pm if I can help.

Awesome!! Where did you get those??

Wait for it...............Home Depot?

Was going to say lowes but wanted to be sure haha... :icon17:

Could be Lowes.

How's the hood holding up? Any issues??

Very Nice indeed. :tup:

Nice, good job on the pins :tup:


Sub'd - can you post some more pics? maybe some in the wild and from further distance?


That red Z is the same pic I have in my "Z Inspiration file" I have had saved on my computer. I planned on doing a similar paint scheme but including the side vents CF. I have the same hood in my garage it's for sale/debating on installing still. Had a real nightmare with my body shop last fall during my nismo conversion. So when I got a replacement hood (another long story but had issues with first one from seibon) I held off on giving them any more parts or work as they were not satisfying my with the first phase they were doing........ which brings me to now a 3/4 finished exterior, car is drivable and 100% together but I have parts still to go on and couple things to fix.

Next time I wash and wax I'll post a few more pics.