hi, just wondering how to tell if the hood on my 86 n/a is aluminum or not. prolly some real simple way to tell, but i dont know. thanks, wes

 

the sound... just tap on a steel hood, it sounds so much different. the aluminum one sounds so dull.

 

most likely u cant be able to tell by just looking
but the steel hood is HEAVY, and the aluminium hoos is light
u can lift the alum with like 2 fingers , steel hood .... one hand + 2 fingers ....

 

Holy **** those were 2 useless replies. A simple magnet test.

Steel is magnetic, Aluminum is not.

 

pyro, your the man, why didnt i think of that. kinda scary that im a mechanical engineer major and i couldnt think of somethin that simple. thanks, wes

 

ok, one more question. if i was to sell that aluminul hood, in good shape, what is it worth?

 

aluminum hood also has a riveted latch insted of welded.

 

i'd say a aluminum hood is worth from $50-150 depending on the condition and the buyer. I recently sold a GTUs aluminum hood for $110.

Kevin

 

ehhh, but some of us might not have magnets handy... if the hood feels heavy, steel... if the hood feels light, aluminum... i mean, even if you're a weak *** ****, the aluminum will still feel not that heavy, and the steel will feel heavy as fvck!

 

An aluminum hood is about 25 pounds. A Steel hood is about 53 pounds. Magnets stick to steel and not to aluminum. Also the rivets are a give away. If someone has time to write to teh forum he can spend about 4 minutes finding a magnet someplace. Try looking on your refrigerator.

 

I think the first two replies were better than yours honestly. How often do you have a magnet with you?

 

Average Joe should be able to lift the hood on his own, it's only about 25-30 lbs total.

Also the most substantial way to tell is look at the hood latch. On an Aluminum hood the latch is secured with rivets, on a steel hood the hood latch is secured via weld spots.

-Markus Reschny

 

A magnet is a definitive answer. The "feel" or "hear" tests are just ludicrous. If you need to know for sure, a magnet will tell you.

 

how hard is it to walk in your kitchen and get one off the fridge?

 

When I'm at a junkyard 100 miles from my house and spot a RX7 hood, then it's a bit of a pain to go to my fridge and grab a magnet.

 

....then carry a magnet with you, put it in the glovebox... I love people arguing with the RIGHT answer... LOL

 

If I were looking for parts in a junkyard and had interest in an aluminum hood, I think I would be prepared to be able to tell the difference. Now that you know, put a magnet in your car and you won't have to worry about it anymore.

 

Damn I have a heavy *** steel hood. Does anyone know if carbon fiber can be painted?

 

yea...i think they can be painted

 

obviously steel is ****** magnetic... but why even bother bringing a magnet if u can use ur arms that god gave u... and lift the ****** thing?

 

the reason being, to get a definative anwser.

 

If it's on a junkard car the hinges could be in such bad shape an AL hood might feel heavy. Why not just carry a '****** magnet' in your glove box?

 

The correct answer is "use a magnet". Why are these idiots arguing the answer? The original poster wanted a definitive way to tell. He got it. Anyone who wants to argue the correct answer the original poster got is a ******* moron.

 

omg does everything turn into a freaking fight? magnets, rivets, weight pick your poisen and lets all just get along...

 

you could use the bit out of a drill some of those are magnetic, and if your in a junk yard i know your gonna have tools. lol. either way i want an alum hood now lol.