CF Hood Brand recommendations

[doublespaces]

So, I'm considering buying the Duke Dynamics(or Vorsteiner) E93 CSL style deck lid:

And if I do decide to pony up the cash, I'd like to find a high quality CF hood to go along with it. I've bought two CF hoods for my E90, the first one I broke immediately(don't ask). But it was finished nicely on the underside. The second one I got, didn't seem finished on the bottom and it was a bit flimsy. When going fast, I could see the hood literally rippling in the wind, I was afraid without hood pins it would fly off.

So my point is, I'm absolutely not going to use hood pins. Does anyone have experience with a brand of CF hood that does not need hood pins, is sturdy and possibly has hood vents(subtle ones)? I do not like vents, but the under hood temps can get ridiculously high and I think it would help out with IATs.

 

[VACust]

I looked for one just this past 2 months after someone decided to smash into my E92. I really wanted a GT style hood and the ONLY one that seems to fit worth a damn is the steel Ikon Motorsports hoods or Duke hoods. Ikon was 2 months out about 6-7 weeks ago with both vented style hoods. Their vents are closed but can be opened up to function. I got my car back with a stock hood but I think I'm still going to buy one. They have a Vorsteiner style and one that adds M3 vents to the Votsteiner style. I put in a CSF radiator during the repair (huge improvement) but would like to see under hood temps lower. I don't like the idea of hood pins either. Seems a good CF hood is well over $2K before you start paint and fitting. I've been through multiple CF hoods as well. Only one that I've owned that I was 100% happy with was a Saleen S351 hood, they started with a factory Ford aluminum hood frame and built a CF shell.

 

[VACust]

I have seen a Duke hood, never owned one. It seemed pretty damn nice. I do think they all have issues with clear/resin turning yellow in spots or small cracks if they aren't painted though.

 

[Fishayyy]

Anyone had experience with Carbon Creations? I like the look of the hoods they offer

 

[Kenjermen]

Anyone had experience with Carbon Creations? I like the look of the hoods they offer

Looking at reviews from them their fitment is hit or miss like any other aftermarket hood. I decided to go with a VIS hood, and I'm very happy with it

 

[doublespaces]

They show this on their site, I'd like something like this but with the actual vent in the center. I'm not much of a fan of the side gills, but I can see how top mount people would be.

 

[Kenjermen]

The vents are also a good idea for people not running a cowl. When removing the cowl you had more pressure to the top of the engine due to the Air reflecting off the windshield and into the engine bay. Where the m3 rep hoods and others with vents prevent this issue. It also helps extract heat from under the hood. At a red light I can see the heat coming out of the vents.

 

[doublespaces]

The vents are also a good idea for people not running a cowl. When removing the cowl you had more pressure to the top of the engine due to the Air reflecting off the windshield and into the engine bay. Where the m3 rep hoods and others with vents prevent this issue. It also helps extract heat from under the hood. At a red light I can see the heat coming out of the vents.

I was wanting to do the M3 cowl 'conversion', I wonder if the same effect would be in play?

 

[Kenjermen]

I was wanting to do the M3 cowl 'conversion', I wonder if the same effect would be in play?

Hmm good question, I haven't seen anything about the m3 cowl conversion

 

[doublespaces]

Here are a few posts about it. Apparently @Snelson3003 is working on a CF version, I just wish it would integrate some kind of wire/loom holder to eliminate the need for zipties and a more OEM look.

https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/threads/tasman-green-e92-v2-0.1564/page-2#post-15048

 

[Kenjermen]

Here are a few posts about it. Apparently @Snelson3003 is working on a CF version, I just wish it would integrate some kind of wire/loom holder to eliminate the need for zipties and a more OEM look.

https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/threads/tasman-green-e92-v2-0.1564/page-2#post-15048

That looks awesome, ya the zip ties really kill the look. I might do some wire brackets to clean it up more

 

[Yeezus335i]

I have a carbon creations csl trunk, the resin/clear faded within a year. Fitment is not great but its manageable. Would I buy it again, yes but I would definitely have it clear coated within a few months of owning it. It was pretty cheap, i paid like 6 or close to 600 for it.

 

[doublespaces]

Thanks for the review, so are there any other brands of CF hoods that are sub $750 that are high quality?

 

[Yeezus335i]

I think not, well at least to my knowledge. I would say look into buying a top brand like vorsteiner second hand but they hardly come on the market. I am going to most likely end up buying a VIS hood in the future and have it re-cleared soon after.

 

[island road]

I had the Dukes Dynamic D2-PowerVented Hood for 5 years before I sold my car. I would say fitment is about 98% true to OEM a few times had the speedo pegged and never had an issue with the hook keeping latched. The vents also helped with heat dissipation not to mention I would say this is the best looking aftermarket hood on the market although not the cheapest. I would 100% recommend any of their products, also had their quad diffuser as well.

 

[doublespaces]

Nice! Duke stuff is out of my price range, although when your hood flies up and smashes your roof, particularly a hard top, I can't say that is within my budget either.