I've been looking around for CF hoods, and other than differences in style, there doesn't seem to be that big of a difference in quality. For example, this one is cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-87...QQcmdZViewItem
but from talking to both sellers, it seems no different from an identical one for 150$ more.
Any ideas on quality vs. price on CF hoods?

 

For *most* import vehicles, no truly high quality (fitment wise) hoods actually exist.

There are a few original manufacturing pieces from Japan for cars like the Skyline and the FD that actually fit well and are straight, but they also cost more then a new baby.

For the most part the "economy" ($200-$500) CF and FG hoods are all the same crap.

But then again, my standards might be higher being that I'm a body man. But I've yet to see a CF hood in my shop for any vehicle that cost under $1500 and ACTUALLY fit.

Stuff like Zip Products (Corvettes) and GoodHood (domestics mostly) were in the upper end of the spectrum for thigns I've used on customer vehicles. But as far as APC, RaceonUSA etc. Its all the same junk...

 

talk 2 ramy @ FDnewbie imports nad see what he can get you.

 

consider about does it need hood pin for the CF hood.

 

How often do you have a customer want the CF hood painted the color of the car?

 

Not often on traditional CF. Most people that buy it want to see it. But a recent 06 Z06 Corvette I did had a Zip Products dry weave CF hood....its a reall dry carbon hood, but the top is gel-coated. These guys don't muck with quality. Where you'd see on a regular hood where the weave would be "mushed" in grooves on the hood and either left, or painted over, the Zip hood is gel'd so there's only one section (at least on the old run of hoods) thats flat, viewable weave. The rest is painted.

But not often. Recently I had a cust. with an FD buy a Seibon hood (CF) and wanted it painted black to match the car. But the hood fit like sucha turd that we had to send it back

 

My C-West is pretty legit.

 

I think CF is a tacky fad that should die. The benefits of CF don't outweight the price. A solid painted car is way sexier than a car with an off-colored hood. I suppose its a matter of opinion.

So, another question is.... why CF over fiberglass or alum? My alum NA hood is pretty damn light, looks great, fits stock, and latches. Seems like a no brainer to me.