Are there any aftermarket hoods that do not require hood pins to keep them secure? I really hate the way they look.

 

Most of them don't "require" them... But since the latch mounts are made from either fiberglass or carbon, people use them for safety. I'm sure you could get creative and make them less noticeable.

 

Vis carbon fiber hoods have metal latches. No one i know runs hood pins with them. They just tell you to use hood pins to cover there *** if some thing were to go wrong.

 

I understand that, but the latch itself is attached to either carbon or fiberglass, which is more likely to break than aluminum. I know people that go without them also... But trips over 160mph would seem to be a good reason to use them..

 

better safe then sorry. Its not like your putting them on to make yourself look like a ricer that drives a honda. They actually serve a purpose.

 

Just a comment on this...

I have a VIS CF hood, which I gotta say is damn good quality. It fit perfectly, locks w/ the stock hoood latch perfectly, and I have hood pins on it as well.

I didn't give much thought to how much I NEEDED those pins until today (previously it was merely a precaution).

I was doin only about 80mph, and I looked at the hood (had to sit up to do it). Don't ask me why... All of a sudden, alarm bells went off in my head..and my eyes got REAL wide.

The sides of the hood, behind where the headlight notch is, was floating above the level of the fenders by maybe a good quarter to half inch (that's my estimate... given my prespective). There was a very easily distinguishable difference in the level of the hood and the fender, to the point that I thought I forgot to close the hood w/ the stock latch...even though I could see the pins were closed. I pulled over on the shoulder, got out, and sure enough, the hood was locked and fastened tight.

Got back in, and sure enough..when I gathered some speed, that thing started to float again. If you had seen what I saw, you wouldn't even THINK about driving a CF hood w/o hood pins. I don't even know if the hood pins are enough! lol

Just my $0.02