REVIEW: Ronin SpeedWorks Mazdaspeed Carbon Hood
10-07-12, 02:38 PM
#1
REVIEW: Ronin SpeedWorks Mazdaspeed Carbon Hood
Forward: I wrote this review because I wanted to get the good news out about this company and my experience with them. With my FD needing paint, and my Vmount in full form, I wanted to get a vented hood. However, I was looking for a hood that kept the OEM lines in tact, wasn't too flashy, but was still functional. Otherwise, what's the point. After emailing Mike back and fourth a few times, I decided on their Mazdaspeed replica.
Experience: I was impressed! Great communication, great knowledge, and great attention to detail on every aspect of purchasing my hood. Mike was really knowledgeable and helpful with my questions. Communication was pretty good. As my hood was made to order, he did a good job on keeping me posted.
Price: $1050 shipped to NJ. This was for the carbon fiber Mazdaspeed hood. Shipping and packaging was around $200, but it turned out great. The box and foam they used was very functional for keeping my new product from getting injured. I actually re-used the packaging when I sold my OEM hood. It worked great. With the rarity of of the piece, and quality fitment, I felt the hood was adequately priced. Pay to play right.
Product: I love this hood!! The fitment is really great. I have yet to adjust to perfection, but honestly, with paint on the horizon, I'm going to let the body shop tweak it to perfect position. My 10 min fit job looks fine for now. As far as vibration or flexing at speed.... there is none. I chose the carbon because it is more rigid than the FRP version. The hood will be painted with the body. It sits tight with no issues. I have had it up to about 120mph with 4th gear pulls with not a single hickup. I do not plan to run pins. The latch is steel and fits snugly to the OEM clasp. As Mike mentioned, he has had some customers choose not to run pins with no issues. After driving with the hood a bit, I have inspected the latch and all looks fine. I don't really track my car, so I wanted to try running with no pins. If I venture that direction, I can see some pins in the future.
Getting the hood took a little longer than the 2 weeks Mike quoted. Why? There was a minor flaw in my original, so Mike had it remade! The piece I received was perfect.
Final Thoughts: I am very pleased with the entire experience. The price, product and service were all spot-on. Obviously with aftermarket body parts, there is a big concern with fitment. Nothing but great stuff from the guys at Ronin Speedoworks.
Experience: I was impressed! Great communication, great knowledge, and great attention to detail on every aspect of purchasing my hood. Mike was really knowledgeable and helpful with my questions. Communication was pretty good. As my hood was made to order, he did a good job on keeping me posted.
Price: $1050 shipped to NJ. This was for the carbon fiber Mazdaspeed hood. Shipping and packaging was around $200, but it turned out great. The box and foam they used was very functional for keeping my new product from getting injured. I actually re-used the packaging when I sold my OEM hood. It worked great. With the rarity of of the piece, and quality fitment, I felt the hood was adequately priced. Pay to play right.
Product: I love this hood!! The fitment is really great. I have yet to adjust to perfection, but honestly, with paint on the horizon, I'm going to let the body shop tweak it to perfect position. My 10 min fit job looks fine for now. As far as vibration or flexing at speed.... there is none. I chose the carbon because it is more rigid than the FRP version. The hood will be painted with the body. It sits tight with no issues. I have had it up to about 120mph with 4th gear pulls with not a single hickup. I do not plan to run pins. The latch is steel and fits snugly to the OEM clasp. As Mike mentioned, he has had some customers choose not to run pins with no issues. After driving with the hood a bit, I have inspected the latch and all looks fine. I don't really track my car, so I wanted to try running with no pins. If I venture that direction, I can see some pins in the future.
Getting the hood took a little longer than the 2 weeks Mike quoted. Why? There was a minor flaw in my original, so Mike had it remade! The piece I received was perfect.
Final Thoughts: I am very pleased with the entire experience. The price, product and service were all spot-on. Obviously with aftermarket body parts, there is a big concern with fitment. Nothing but great stuff from the guys at Ronin Speedoworks.
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10-08-12, 09:55 PM
#13
I hear ya. I was debating on the FEED as well. With my vmount, it all lines up perfectly. I really liked the classic look of the Mazdaspeed. It just came down to personal taste. Cooling between the two is likely real close. The vents aren't huge but the placement on the Mazdaspeed seemed more advantageous for my setup.
10-11-12, 06:28 PM
#15
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Are our hoods really heavy enough to facilitate a CF piece? Most look great, and I know some will help with cooling, but is everybody just going with form over function?
10-11-12, 07:41 PM
#16
While the stock hood certainly is light, I know that my FEED hood for instance probably weight 5-10lbls less than stock.
I have no proof of this, just going by feel.
Even if they did weigh the same...a properly vented hood provides cooling that a stock hood does not. Once again using the FEED hood as an example, my temps dropped by 3 degrees IIRC.
I have no proof of this, just going by feel.
Even if they did weigh the same...a properly vented hood provides cooling that a stock hood does not. Once again using the FEED hood as an example, my temps dropped by 3 degrees IIRC.
10-11-12, 09:29 PM
#18
Awesome review. I'll have to take some pointers on your format. I wish more members did product reviews like this.
The hood looks really great and that's a good price.
I don't know if it's the lighting, but the montego blue looks different in the second picture; the finish looks similar to a british racing / RE Extreme green. Did you have your car repainted?
The hood looks really great and that's a good price.
I don't know if it's the lighting, but the montego blue looks different in the second picture; the finish looks similar to a british racing / RE Extreme green. Did you have your car repainted?
10-12-12, 10:16 AM
#19
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If it is really anywhere between 5-10lbs I surely stand corrected. That is very good weight drop. I remember when I had my S2k, I went to buy a hood, but the stock one is ridiculously light so I opted not to. The temp drop is also more than I thought it would be.
10-12-12, 05:42 PM
#21
Awesome review. I'll have to take some pointers on your format. I wish more members did product reviews like this.
The hood looks really great and that's a good price.
I don't know if it's the lighting, but the montego blue looks different in the second picture; the finish looks similar to a british racing / RE Extreme green. Did you have your car repainted?
The hood looks really great and that's a good price.
I don't know if it's the lighting, but the montego blue looks different in the second picture; the finish looks similar to a british racing / RE Extreme green. Did you have your car repainted?
It's the Montego Blue.... It changes based on ambient light. Sometimes green, sometimes blue, sometimes looks black.
As far as paint goes, its coming very very soon. I'm pretty giddy....
10-13-12, 08:44 PM
#25
