Carbon Fiber hood for Pilot - Honda Pilot

SimonS2k · 10-20-2007, 06:30 AM

Usually, this is a product for a non-suv/truck Honda but I was wondering if there was a carbon fiber hood option for the Pilot. The oem hood is just soooooooo heavy. I would like to lighten up the load a bit.....maybe to increase mpg, less weight up front....better front/rear weight balance?

dragoncoach · 10-20-2007, 12:16 PM

To each his/her own, but I don't think buying a carbon fiber hood would make that much of a difference. Sure c/f is lighter, but even a 20lb savings doesn't matter unless you're racing. As for balance, it may make a difference but probably not much. For me, the cost/reward factor isn't enough. But if you like it, go for it!

netman88 · 10-20-2007, 12:21 PM

I like the heavy hood because it's safer during any accidents.

The SUV is not for racing since it may flip so I think if you wanted to replace the hood, you have to look for custom shops.

A6Pilot · 10-20-2007, 03:00 PM

Netman88 brings up a good point. The safety systems in todays vehicles are engineered as a whole vehicle system. The entire structure is designed to absorb impact energy. This includes bumpers, front structural elements, fenders, hood mounting, bracing, and also the windshield design and placement. Even powertrain support and mounting are part of the whole. Honda, especially, has taken a comprehensive approach with the design of their ACE structural approach.

You have to wonder what the consequences are to occupant (and pedestrian) safety when a key structural element, such as a hood, is replaced by a component designed by someone more concerned by aesthetics and marketing than safety. Feeling lucky?

Carbon fiber sure does look cool, however.

As far as SimonS2k's concern of better front/rear balance, who's to say that handling might, in fact, deteriorate with a lighter load up front? After all, these Honda engineers have so much to learn from us.

rlapid · 10-20-2007, 07:04 PM

i've heard that carbon fiber hoods don't collapse as well in the event of a frontal impact, thus creating the chance of it slicing through the windshield and into the passenger cabin

any truth to this?

rocky · 10-20-2007, 07:20 PM

So what if you were Honda and wanted to race a Pilot (they've raced Ody's so anything is possible)

dragoncoach · 10-20-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rlapid
i've heard that carbon fiber hoods don't collapse as well in the event of a frontal impact, thus creating the chance of it slicing through the windshield and into the passenger cabin any truth to this?

They don't colapse at all. They are rigid and shatter or splinter when they are impacted.

10-20-2007, 06:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
SimonS2k Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 31 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Carbon Fiber hood for Pilot Usually, this is a product for a non-suv/truck Honda but I was wondering if there was a carbon fiber hood option for the Pilot. The oem hood is just soooooooo heavy. I would like to lighten up the load a bit.....maybe to increase mpg, less weight up front....better front/rear weight balance? __________________ 2004 Pilot EX with Navi (wife's ride), stock 2008 Civic Si sedan Galaxy Grey (daily driver) 2002 Honda S2000 (energy booster), Diamond Black BBS RGR's 18x7.5 front, 18x8.5 rear, Tein RA coilovers, Spoon c/f snorkle intake, JDM clear corners & side markers, LED turn signal lamps, Voodoo Ti shift knob, audible upshift indicator, V1 radar detector...too much to list!

10-20-2007, 12:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
dragoncoach Super Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Francisco, The City by the Bay Posts: 656 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	To each his/her own, but I don't think buying a carbon fiber hood would make that much of a difference. Sure c/f is lighter, but even a 20lb savings doesn't matter unless you're racing. As for balance, it may make a difference but probably not much. For me, the cost/reward factor isn't enough. But if you like it, go for it! __________________ '04 Sagebrush EX-L w/ Navi / Class III Valley Hitch / Mito self-dimming rearview mirror, Muth signal mirrors / upgraded door speakers / front set of Pilot Pads / full size spare / AVS hood deflector / MTX 404, 4 channel amp / rear cargo cover / '06 tail light upgrade, full LED interior light conversion. Gone to a new home but not forgotten. Sold to a good friend. '03 BMW M5, Carbon Black '04 Mercedes SL 500R, Silver '98 Honda Accord EX V-6, Nighthawk Black Pearl '05 Honda Accord EX V-6 w/ navi, Deep Green Pearl

10-20-2007, 12:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
netman88 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 438 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I like the heavy hood because it's safer during any accidents. The SUV is not for racing since it may flip so I think if you wanted to replace the hood, you have to look for custom shops. __________________ 2006 Honda Pilot LX 4WD Amazon Green (roof rack/x-bars, day/night mirror, tinted windows, viper 330V alarm).

10-20-2007, 07:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
rlapid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Sacramento, California Posts: 847 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i've heard that carbon fiber hoods don't collapse as well in the event of a frontal impact, thus creating the chance of it slicing through the windshield and into the passenger cabin any truth to this? __________________ 2006 Pilot EX-LN 4WD \| Taffeta White \| "Amelia" OEM accessories: chrome side steps, crossbars, cargo tray, cargo cover, wheel locks, rear splash guards, door edge guards, full-size spare Aftermarket accessories: Yakima Big Powderhound, LED license plate and door bulbs, Infinity 6012i speakers, 4300k HID, 35% tint, Nokya yellow fogs + yellow Lamin-X

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10-20-2007, 03:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
A6Pilot Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 416 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Netman88 brings up a good point. The safety systems in todays vehicles are engineered as a whole vehicle system. The entire structure is designed to absorb impact energy. This includes bumpers, front structural elements, fenders, hood mounting, bracing, and also the windshield design and placement. Even powertrain support and mounting are part of the whole. Honda, especially, has taken a comprehensive approach with the design of their ACE structural approach. You have to wonder what the consequences are to occupant (and pedestrian) safety when a key structural element, such as a hood, is replaced by a component designed by someone more concerned by aesthetics and marketing than safety. Feeling lucky? Carbon fiber sure does look cool, however. As far as SimonS2k's concern of better front/rear balance, who's to say that handling might, in fact, deteriorate with a lighter load up front? After all, these Honda engineers have so much to learn from us.

10-20-2007, 07:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 6,720 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So what if you were Honda and wanted to race a Pilot (they've raced Ody's so anything is possible)

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