CF/FRP hood install - DIY?

[alexza4]

So i purchased the new EuroGEAR vented hood yesterday, its few weeks out until i get it and it gets painted and such, so for now i'm just trying to figure out the install part of it. I can ofcourse let the body shop take care of it all, but i can certainy rather do it myself.
How hard is it? Anyone have experiance with installing EuroGEAR hoods? Any DIY's outthere?
btw, i did get the hood pins as well.

Thanks

[jursch2211]

I'm pretty sure you just pull off the original hood and replace it with this. Their email to me said that all the holes are prethreaded so it should be an easy swap. Really interested to see how this turns out. Glad you took a dive off the deep end and went for this. Btw, how do the hood pins attach? Do you have to drill a hole in the hood to fit the hood pins?

[alexza4]

Thanks, thats good to know that the holes are pre-drilled. I figured the've modeled this hood after their existing boser hoods they have for the B6 and those do have good fitment. I mostly worry about the washers transplant as well as the hood pin latches for both of which i'll have to drill and cut the hood.
Here's thread from Jet Jockey that has some good info on Aerocatch hood pins install.

but, it would be nice if there was a writeup outthere on the install... if there isn't one and i will end up doing it myself i'll make one.

[JEENYUS]

I think that hood is dope. honestly it makes sense as well. the vents are pratical and not just astehtic. i really think your decision to buy that hood was a good move into the low 11s ;)

[alexza4]

^haha don't i wish.

[jursch2211]

the only problem i have with this hood is that when washing the car or if its raining out, where does all the water go? I hate when i open the hold and have water drip onto the valve cover or onto the carbon fiber covers i have because it leaves water marks(my ocd coming out). Whats worse would be if the water could drip or pour onto the coilpacks. They didn't mention anything about whether you could close the vents or not. Take pics of the underside when you get it.

[JEENYUS]

the only problem i have with this hood is that when washing the car or if its raining out, where does all the water go? I hate when i open the hold and have water drip onto the valve cover or onto the carbon fiber covers i have because it leaves water marks(my ocd coming out). Whats worse would be if the water could drip or pour onto the coilpacks. They didn't mention anything about whether you could close the vents or not. Take pics of the underside when you get it.

you dont think driving in the rain is basically the same thing? your engine is not a water tight compartment. if you drive in the rain, your engine gets wet.

[vintagespin]

you dont think driving in the rain is basically the same thing? your engine is not a water tight compartment. if you drive in the rain, your engine gets wet.

I don't think it's the same as driving in the rain. Normally rain would have to go through your grille, AC condenser, radiator, fans, and then hit the front of the block, which just has your accessory belt and timing belt (which is covered). It doesn't get very wet. Especially with a belly pan in place. Plus, no water gets in when the car is at low speeds or stationary.

A hood with big vents on the other hand, will readily accept water when the car is at low speeds or stationary, right on top of the engine and all down the sides.

[jursch2211]

^Thanks for proving my point. When I drive in the rain/snow, I'm not getting any water on the top of my valve cover. If I did i would be replacing coil packs all the time. This is why I wanted to know if the vents can be closed. Reading the other thread on this hood I guess the OP talked to Eurogear about routing the hot air out of the engine bay. Along this line maybe something can be fabricated to drain the water away from the engine.

[romell]

So i purchased the new EuroGEAR vented hood yesterday, its few weeks out until i get it and it gets painted and such, so for now i'm just trying to figure out the install part of it. I can ofcourse let the body shop take care of it all, but i can certainy rather do it myself.
How hard is it? Anyone have experiance with installing EuroGEAR hoods? Any DIY's outthere?
btw, i did get the hood pins as well.

Thanks

hey alex few points for you.

for this hood... or any CF hood

1) if its CF you wanna take it to the body shop and get it clearcoat it.. they took of that shitty UV coating (that makes it yellow) and out clear coat over it and it makes it look fantastic! and no yellow-ness.

2) just like the oem hood, you have to really toy around with it over and over again to get it right and match the body lines and make sure its not sitting to the left or to the right too much.

3) aerocatch hood pins is something i would not do myself or even regualr hood pins.. youre drilling in your damn hood... if the body shop breaks it.. they buy/fix it.. if you mess it up.. your SOL. so my thought would be is to DEF have them do it... Diogo at AMS charges $350 to paint/clear the hood, install it and put on the hood pins so look for something int hat range.. even its 400-450 do it... get it done by the body shop. cleaner install, hood pins will be in properly and the clear coat you will thank me later. =)

[alexza4]

That's a very good question actually about the water and i agree with the concerns. I guess i will find out, right? lol. Now, the vented hoods been out for a while for the B5's and B7's that actually have very similar vent placement, i wonder what;s the deal on those and if there's been complaints about water causing any issues...

B7 hood
B7 hood

[alexza4]

hey alex few points for you.

for this hood... or any CF hood

1) if its CF you wanna take it to the body shop and get it clearcoat it.. they took of that shitty UV coating (that makes it yellow) and out clear coat over it and it makes it look fantastic! and no yellow-ness.

2) just like the oem hood, you have to really toy around with it over and over again to get it right and match the body lines and make sure its not sitting to the left or to the right too much.

3) aerocatch hood pins is something i would not do myself or even regualr hood pins.. youre drilling in your damn hood... if the body shop breaks it.. they buy/fix it.. if you mess it up.. your SOL. so my thought would be is to DEF have them do it... Diogo at AMS charges $350 to paint/clear the hood, install it and put on the hood pins so look for something int hat range.. even its 400-450 do it... get it done by the body shop. cleaner install, hood pins will be in properly and the clear coat you will thank me later. =)

Excellent points, thank you man. Since i bought the FRP hood, i'll be just getting it painted so no issues there, but very good suggestion on the pins, i may just have them do the whole thing and have piece of mind.

[JEENYUS]

but what about the water?!

i completely emerged my car's front end going through a river, got water all up on the engine head and block. no issues at all. i think the engine can handle a little water. i wouldnt be to conserned about it. I am excited to see it installed on the car and get a review on the actual product.

EDIT: is the FRP hood still 80% lighter?

[alexza4]

but what about the water?!

i completely emerged my car's front end going through a river, got water all up on the engine head and block. no issues at all. i think the engine can handle a little water. i wouldnt be to conserned about it. I am excited to see it installed on the car and get a review on the actual product.

EDIT: is the FRP hood still 80% lighter?

don't know about lighter but its certainly cheaper :)

[pondside36]

I installed the aero catch hood pins and have pics in my car's bio, measure twice and take it slow, other than that it really wasn't hard. I will admit I was a bit nervous though the whole process. Painters tape, a tape measure, a dremmel, and a drill is all that is required. Alas the framing on mine is cracked and now the hood is bowed and I think I may get this same hood, of course you live in Maryland too. I guess we have good taste.

[alexza4]

I installed the aero catch hood pins and have pics in my car's bio, measure twice and take it slow, other than that it really wasn't hard. I will admit I was a bit nervous though the whole process. Painters tape, a tape measure, a dremmel, and a drill is all that is required. Alas the framing on mine is cracked and now the hood is bowed and I think I may get this same hood, of course you live in Maryland too. I guess we have good taste.

Haha, yes we do i guess. And you're welcome to come take a look once i get it installed before you purchase. I'm in B-more too btw. And thanks for the pointers. Did you install the hood yourself too? Wanna give me a hand with mine ;)

[pondside36]

Swapping the hoods is pretty easy as well, two bolts on each hinge and you are in business. I got mine with the hood latch on but I think that is just a few bolts as well and then just the fine adjustment to get it to close and line up just right. The Euro gear hoods come pre-drilled and cut for the washers, hinges, and hood latch from their advertisement as well so no issues there. I wouldn't mind giving you a hand, I'm in Haiti and will be back hopefully by the end of the month perhaps with a new hood waiting for me also.. :) How long did they say it would take to ship?

[alexza4]

Cool dude. I didn't know they come pre drilled and pre cut already, that's great news. As for how long, they said each hood is made per order, so i'm looking for about 2 weeks of fab + another for shipping. Its no rush for me to get on anyway, plus a4 is going back to RAI next week to finish up some stuff and the tuning. I'll let you know once i'm ready and if you do get yours as well maybe we can do both on the same day! Brew is on me :)

oh and stay safe overthere.

[JEENYUS]

Cool dude. I didn't know they come pre drilled and pre cut already, that's great news. As for how long, they said each hood is made per order, so i'm looking for about 2 weeks of fab + another for shipping. Its no rush for me to get on anyway, plus a4 is going back to RAI next week to finish up some stuff and the tuning. I'll let you know once i'm ready and if you do get yours as well maybe we can do both on the same day! Brew is on me :)

oh and stay safe overthere.

is he in the army?