This probably isn't a good idea for my first post, but I figure since it is the post I found the forum with I would go with it.
I don't see why you would be against going to a Carbon Fiber Hood, it lightens the front end on a car with very bad front/rear weight ratio. They can (from what I know) be painted to be unnoticable vs steel. I think they are a good idea.
If anyone does know where to get one, I would love to know.
I don't know if i would say ricey. On a '66 it saves 29 pounds off the front end, thats a pretty big difference especially since if painted it would be pretty hard to tell the difference look wise.
The 69 hood was much bigger too so should be a bigger weight loss too =)
A true carbon fiber hood is about 8 grand the ones you see on imports are nothing more then a fiberglass hood with a carbon fiber glued on over it.As far as i know they don't make a hood like that for any early mustang.Aluminum heads and intake will cut weight off the front end.
Thats carbon kevlar its nothing like carbon fiber its part of whats inside a bullet vest and it does not have the the mat of carbon fiber in it its more like a fiberglass.
My car is not a super show car but a daily driver. Removing 35ish pounds off the front end on a car with a horrible f/r weight ratio (59/41% according to Musclecarclub.com in 69) would help handling a lot, helps gas mileage, braking power, and makes the car slightly faster (though I am not sure how much of a difference 30 pounds makes but every little bit helps).
Now from how I understand Carbon fiber can be painted to match steel, so you wouldn't even know it was on a car at a car show. (I could be wrong about this if i am i apologize.)
Andrew so what are your thoughts on Carbon Kevlar? Is it still strong enough etc? I have to do research on the topic, but it is still MUCH lighter than fiberglass so what are the downsides etc.
as he said he wanted to paint it it shouldn't mae a difference. If your old hood is good then I rather see that as a waste of money though better invested in heads as above mentioned. lioghter and more fun ;-) but if you have to have it i would suggest fibreglass as well.
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1964 1/2 289 2bbl (autolite 2100) with holley headers and flowmaster 40s new: Quick Performance Racing 9" rear, Moser axles, 3.5:1 trac loc from FRPP and T5. CSRP disc brakes front and FRPP discs back. New wheels and tyres
I am trying to make a good all around driver. It has a 351 Windsor going in with AFR heads, a Holley Street Dominator Intake, and a Spreadbore carb (I love the sound when the secondaries open up, and you can get good mileage if you keep your foot off it). That is backed by a T5 with .063 OD, and a 9" that I gotta change the gears on (to 3.55 or so). My car started off as a plain jane nothing special 200 ci 69 coupe, so if i spent 300 grand on an exact restoration, it still wouldn't be a show stopper. So I am going the other route, making it as good of a daily driver as I can. Reducing weight and balancing f/r seems to only have a positive impact.
ORIGINAL: Menorah 5 (though I am not sure how much of a difference 30 pounds makes but every little bit helps).
30 lbs off a 3000 lb car is about 1%, so you would be going from a 59/41 ratio to about a 58/42 ratio. Not really worth the effort, any "carbon fiber" hood you come across is going to be of poor quality and require alot of work to make fit and look nice, not to mention the cost. You want real improvement, swap to an all aluminum engine and accessories, or for the cheaper route, throw a couple 40-50lb bags of sand in the trunk by the wheel wells.
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Carbin Fiber hood, 1969 mustan - 
