AJatx

iTrader: (1)

Is there a vented hood that is DOT approved?

Have you seen someone customize a stock OEM hood to have vents? Depending on placement of the vents, it could affect the structural behavior during an accident (front end collision).


As cool as some of the hoods I've seen, like Scoot, I'm not comfortable with the idea of having an unpredictable structural breakdown of a hood during a front end collision. I like my head attached to my body.

Also, do these hoods go through a fire retardant certification?


J

DomFD3S

I've never heard of a hood being DOT approved. Although I will admit that I don't know much in regards to the DOT rules/regulations. But, again, I've never heard of a hood having DOT regulations. I know lights (headlights/taillights) need to be DOT approved. The glass is also the same. But, not the hood.

You could use hood pins to secure the hood down. In regards to fire retarding hoods, I really do think that the OEMs just use the same standard hood lining that they've used for ages. (Although, I could be wrong).

Also, from a physics standpoint, the hood will have to be very strong in order to be able to strike the passenger through the front windshield glass. This is IMPOSSIBLE with the hoods that you find on RX-7s. The hood is more likely to crumple in the middle and basically bend, than it is to remain a flat sheet of metal and "push" itself through the glass.

You don't have to worry about the hood coming in contact w/ the passenger, so long as the glass, firewall, and dashboard are intact.

abflug-t78

dude if your concerned with safety, then why did you buy an rx7, in an accident the hood is the last thing youll be worried about. the rx7 will crumple like a tin can.

well glad you did buy a 7 though, maybe you could be the first one with a modified all dot approved rx7.

zoom zoom

AJatx

iTrader: (1)

I was just in a small accident with a deer, thanks (things happen).
If you're insinuating that RX-7's are dangerous by default (design), you claim that the design is poor and condemn the reputation of RX-7's. I hold praise to it because it "crumples like a tin can" by design.

The stock OEM hood does crumple by design. It'll fold inwards. However, the aftermarket hoods are not designed to crumple. The aftermarket hoods (not sure about replicas) will have "offroad use ONLY" stickers on it.

As far as material, I'm a bit concerned with the different variants of "carbon fiber" hoods.
I've seen some automobile manufacturers use extra fire retardant materials on the bottom side of the hood (Z and Eclipse).
Hood pins will help anchor the hood, but it doesn't mean it's a robust solution for a hood that may NOT be designed to crumple inward. For example, the hood may shatter and part of the hood could enter the windshield.

I don't care to deviate from the topic with my rant on safety (and lack thereof from the aftermarket industry and young drivers).
Although my FD is not a daily driver, I don't like driving something that is unsafe for others and myself on the track.


So I take it that there is not an aftermarket hood that is designed for onroad use (or street legal).

J

DrPJM1

May I suggest you contact Mazdaspeed?

DomFD3S

Well, in terms of automobile manufacturers, I don't think that Mazda has a carbon fiber hood (for the RX-7). But, if they do, I'm certain that it will be declared "for off road use" only.

Most of the aftermarket hoods are not put into an autoclave. Rather they are just hand layed and possibly vacuumed. Some manufacturers save cost by making the framework out of fiberglass and laying a thin sheet of carbon fiber on top. Others, will use make a hood out of 100% carbon fiber (although these are pretty rare).

I'm not aware of ANY aftermarket company that designs the hood to crumple inward. Carbon fiber splinters. Assuming that you had a solidly built carbon fiber hood, the hood would most likely splinter/break at the rear hood mounting points and will develop large cracks at the point of impact.

I really don't exect the carbon fiber itself to fly into the cabin.

BicuspiD

There is no DOT approval on a hood for a car - You can even operate the vehicle legally without a hood (here in California anyways). A hood is not a designated "crumple zone" in the industry so there are no regulations regarding the construction AFAIK