carbon fiber hood questions, horrible alignment

[bmxpegan411]

Hi Guys,

I bought a VIS carbon fiber hood for my Del Sol because a friend got one and it lined up as good as an OEM hood would. I put mine on the other day and it looks to be misshapen badly. I contacted VIS and they are combative, trying to say the panels/bump stops need adjusted, but I think otherwise. Here are pics of the hood, and a link to a video of me walking around for reference.

the car has a straight rad support, and I've tried 3 fenders, 2 OEM and one aftermarket that I've twisted up trying to make it fit.

What are your opinions? Should VIS send a replacement, or leave me hanging?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Triy7j4yL7c

 

[crashtech]

Par for the course in my experience. It's likely the next one would be the same way or worse, or off in a different spot. There's ways to make that hood fit that involve modifying the hinge mounting points on the vehicle and/or the hood. Unfortunately, designs like that Honda don't include any up and down adjustment, so it gets a little more complicated.

 

[bmxpegan411]

Par for the course in my experience. It's likely the next one would be the same way or worse, or off in a different spot. There's ways to make that hood fit that involve modifying the hinge mounting points on the vehicle and/or the hood. Unfortunately, designs like that Honda don't include any up and down adjustment, so it gets a little more complicated.

the thing that has me concerned tho is that it's not a consistent gap. if you look near the headlight it's tight, even low in the corner, then higher over towards the left side of the light, and high in the middle on the sides and close near the hinge. VIS actually told me to put 7--10 lbs on the high spot and let it sit, in an effort to sweep the issue under the rug. To entertain them I put like 40 lbs worth of bricks on the high spot on top of Styrofoam, which made it level and let it sit for a whole 24 hours, and once you take them off it pops back up.

since there's a bow in the middle is it still something that's adjustable? a friend got a vis hood that fit perfectly, and this is by far the worst fitment on one i've ever seen. It's 3/8 of an inch high in the middle, lol.

 

[Senile Old Fart]

I suggest getting a large piece of cardboard and lay it on the floor. Have someone hold the hood in a vertical position with the passenger side edge on the cardboard and mark the cardboard with a nice black pencil line.
Next carefully cut it out and then see how it fits the drivers side edge and the contours of both fenders. You will know where the problem lies for sure and will have solid evidence if it is the hood that is incorrect.

 

[crashtech]

the thing that has me concerned tho is that it's not a consistent gap. if you look near the headlight it's tight, even low in the corner, then higher over towards the left side of the light, and high in the middle on the sides and close near the hinge. VIS actually told me to put 7--10 lbs on the high spot and let it sit, in an effort to sweep the issue under the rug. To entertain them I put like 40 lbs worth of bricks on the high spot on top of Styrofoam, which made it level and let it sit for a whole 24 hours, and once you take them off it pops back up.

since there's a bow in the middle is it still something that's adjustable? a friend got a vis hood that fit perfectly, and this is by far the worst fitment on one i've ever seen. It's 3/8 of an inch high in the middle, lol.

I see what you are saying. Good luck exchanging it. I've never had any luck sending that stuff back.

 

[Jim C]

as crash said, thats pretty typical for an aftermarket part. ive had bumpers that were 3" too wide. i had to slice it from top to bottom down the middle, take 3" out and fiberglass it back together. there have only been a couple aftermarket parts over all my years that have fit.

 

[bmxpegan411]

Jim, that sucks, lol. I bought a no name cf hood for a ford zx2 that didn't fit perfect, but ALOT better than this "name brand" one, which is why I was so flustered. After a bunch of emails with VIS and AndysAutoSport, they told me to put weight on it and leave it sit, about 7 to 10 lbs. That amount of weight wouldn't even flex the hood since it was so high, so out of spite I put like 40 lbs of bricks on it on top of Styrofoam to keep from scratching the hood, and let it out in the sun for a day. To my surprise, it seems to be working. Near the headlight was lower than the fender, so I wedged some paint sticks and foam under the corner, forced it shut and put the weight where it was high, and the results look promising.

I'll take some pics today and see how she's holding up, and show you guys for reference.

thanks for all of the input and suggestions.

 

[professor]

On a non-adjustable hinge, if it has a fore and aft bolt on arrangement, adding a spacer between the hinge and the hood (at the forward bolt) will effectively lower the hood at the hinge.
Try adding washer or two between the hood and hinge at the forward bolt, on the driver side of the hood. I think it will fit much better.

Scott