VFN 4" Fiberglass Hood (Pros-Cons) - FirebirdV6.com/CamaroV6.com Message Board

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  • VFN 4" Fiberglass Hood (Pros-Cons)

    I am posting to give the pros and cons of this hood for anybody looking to replace their stock hood. More of these type of posts would be helpful!

    MANUFACTURER: http://www.vfnfiberglass.com I did not get this hood directly from VFN so I cannot comment on delivery, customer service, etc. I do know they replied to my email questions until I showed them what was wrong (and could be improved) on their next mold.

    PICS: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/341181/5

    PROS:
    1) VERY unique, like a Mecham but half the price.

    2) Much room for future blower install, aftercooler, party tent, etc.

    3) Hood is about 25 lbs compared to 60 lbs for the stock

    4) Easy to make ducts functional for Ram Air performance. Can send more pics if anybody interested.

    5) Was able to use both hood pistons (and bolts fit) without too much or too little force. Using one piston was making me nervous due to the torque on the bolts from the piston being off-center.

    6) Surface quality was acceptable for painting.

    7) Easy to light under hood and hide wiring or other appearance mods.

    CONS:
    1) 4" height does affect driving visibility ... something to get use to but not impossible.

    2) Nut sizes in VFN hood are two small for the stock bolts (VERY VERY ANNOYING!!) If you crank down on the screw, you will break the fiberglass/epoxy to Nut bond and then the nut will just spin. I had to notch the four bracket to hood bolts and the front hood latch bolt (5 in all) so I could fit a wrench on the nuts. Took about an extra 4 hours after cutting and grinding. [img]graemlins/twak.gif[/img]

    3) Fit is acceptable but not great. Took some grinding of the metal hood brackets to slide the hood toward the front of the car by about 1/4" and lower the driver side by about 1/8".

    4) Front lip is thick. Should be grinded down to get better flow with front of car.

    5) Can't angle windshield wipers away from car when washing.

    6) Hood is constructed of chopped fiberglass instead of mat fiberglass, better strength qualities.
    Zaino; FireBatCave Decals; Red Inside<br /><br />K&N Filter & Lid; Removed MAF screen; FRA; Raised Air Box; 180°F Stat; BMR STB; 3\" Catco & S-pipe; Borla Cat-Back; O2 Sim; HPPIII; NGK TR55s; Taylor 8mm wires<br /><br /> <a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/cbass300\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.cardomain.com/id/cbass300</a>

  • #2
    Steve,
    your car looks awesome. I hate dealing with fiberglass. Messy as hell sometimes.

    Comment


    • #3
      WOW its huge, some of your hood problems sound EXACTLY like mine, but all in all not too bad really, my body shop was going to take care of all my lil problems, they fix totaled cars and he has a nice 02 firebird that he fixed that was totaled, and he said he loved my hood i have to take him boa-fx phone number cause of the price, i mean i really like your hood when i put my WS6 hood on i was kinda wishing it would go up a lil higher but DAYUM that is huge on yours imo too big for a 6!!!!! but it still looks nice dont get me wrong i wish i could have one in the middle!!! 3 in or something but i am happy get my car friday morning i hope i am not dissapointed!!

      Comment


      • #4
        extreme overkill, but im the one to be talking with 2 18's in my camaro lol.... my hood is only like 2" bigger and it take off too much that i want.....

        Comment


        • #5
          u forgot one con

          not big enough! lol i used to have a 4 3/4 in cowl hood on my v6


          def headturner, be ready everyone and their mom will stare and ask questions. its nice but annoying i had a local p.o. tell me that i need to shave a few inches off cuz it was illegal [img]smile.gif[/img] enjoy man
          *1997 Camaro v6 3.8*<br />President of NorCal Sinister Six

          Comment


          • #6
            I would have preferred a 2" rise instead of 4". But in my early modifying career, I didn't realize what I bought until 2 yrs later and I bought if off of this board so it wasn't like I could exchange it. I tried selling it on here, but no takers.
            Zaino; FireBatCave Decals; Red Inside<br /><br />K&N Filter & Lid; Removed MAF screen; FRA; Raised Air Box; 180°F Stat; BMR STB; 3\" Catco & S-pipe; Borla Cat-Back; O2 Sim; HPPIII; NGK TR55s; Taylor 8mm wires<br /><br /> <a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/cbass300\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.cardomain.com/id/cbass300</a>

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: VFN 4&quot; Fiberglass Hood (Pros-Cons)

              Well here is an update. After moving from NY to NJ, the inspection station measured the hood as 5". So after 6 months VFN admitted that the hood is 5". Just be aware that there is some false advertising on thier website. Some states 5" is legal, but 4" is the legal limit in NY and NJ. Not worth the headache in dealing with VFN.
              Zaino; FireBatCave Decals; Red Inside<br /><br />K&N Filter & Lid; Removed MAF screen; FRA; Raised Air Box; 180°F Stat; BMR STB; 3\" Catco & S-pipe; Borla Cat-Back; O2 Sim; HPPIII; NGK TR55s; Taylor 8mm wires<br /><br /> <a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/cbass300\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.cardomain.com/id/cbass300</a>

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: VFN 4&quot; Fiberglass Hood (Pros-Cons)

                Originally posted by Steve Caroccia
                Well here is an update. After moving from NY to NJ, the inspection station measured the hood as 5". So after 6 months VFN admitted that the hood is 5". Just be aware that there is some false advertising on thier website. Some states 5" is legal, but 4" is the legal limit in NY and NJ. Not worth the headache in dealing with VFN.
                Damn, don't move to VA then. They only allow 2" max. My 3" cowl won't pass and the only reason I still have it is due to a personal hookup.

                Cops never look twice at me though.
                1996 Arctic White Camaro RS with optional Y87 V6 Performance Package<br />2002 Sebring Silver Camaro SS with optional 345 HP Package

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: VFN 4&quot; Fiberglass Hood (Pros-Cons)

                  i dont like the WS6 look with a cowl at the back, it looks huge and makes the car look really front heavy... just my 2 pennys
                  2000 Camaro 3800 A4

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: VFN 4&quot; Fiberglass Hood (Pros-Cons)

                    How dare you compare that to my mecham, your hood fits much better :P Honestly huge cowls have never looked right to me on birds though.
                    2001 Arctic White Firebird With Black Drop Top<br /><br />3:42 Gears<br />Zexel LSD<br />BMR upper A-Arms<br />Trans Am exhaust with 3\" I-pipe and cutout<br />Modified intake<br />Mecham Hood<br />Trans Go shift kit<br />Making rear control arms and panhard

                    Comment

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