DRIVELINEMOTORING
THE VOLTEX HOOD EXPLAINED



Going back in time a bit somewhere in the vast world of Voltex's production of 2007-2008, they released a series of GT Hoods (or Bonnets if you will) for the Evo 8 and 9. This one style, featuring a series of vents, was available in 3 different constructions- "FRP", Wet Carbon, and Dry Carbon. Both the "FRP" and Wet Carbon models were about the same in weight, but not the same in price. On the outside, the "FRP" version was coated in a gloss-black finish, while the Wet Carbon model displayed its 'fibers' in a nice clear 2x2 weave, laid perfectly across all edges of the hood. This Wet Carbon version was designed to save a large amount of weight over the factory hood, but more importantly the 'cool-look' factor was its main reason for conception. Through a few small shipments brought stateside between the 2 original Voltex distributors (one of which had a less-than-reputable presence on these forums), about 5-10 of these Wet Carbon designs were imported and sold. Since the car-show scene was still fairly popular then, the "FRP" model usually went unnoticed, or unwanted. Within that same time frame, Seibon had released a replicated version of the Wet Carbon Voltex hood, and the game was changed. Voltex then decided to quit producing a Wet Carbon model, as the owner, Nakajima-san, decided there was no point to keep making them. The cost was fairly high, they took longer to make than the "FRP" version, and it served no real benefit other than it's looks. That version was scrapped and left for Seibon to continue replicating. This leaves us with only the "FRP" and the Dry Carbon models.

You may be asking, why is "FRP" always placed in parathesis... Well, this version really isn't what most American-consumers of JDM autoparts would consider to be a true FRP hood. Underneath that shiny black finish lies an extremely well crafted, series-of-layers of Carbon. Being that it's sole purpose is to add additional cooling through the plethora of vents and shave weight over the factory hood, these sheets of carbon are laid in way that wouldn't exactly be considered as aesthetically enhancing. Since the carbon isn't directly visible on the surface of the hood, they changed its terminology to something more appropriate, making it less confusing for someone looking to purchase a 'Wet Carbon' hood.

This FRP hood primed and coated with the intention of having the end-user paint to match their vehicle. Though some of you may disagree, in the eyes of Nakajima-san, this look holds a more-genuine presence to the overall design of the Evo chassis.

... And the answer to the question that most of you may be asking, the Voltex "FRP" version hood weighs in at a total of 12lbs!

 

Good Read thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks. Here's a shot of the exterior:

 

Very nice Eric.
I personally like the look of painted hoods (like the GG evo you posted above) as opposed to exposed carbon hoods.
I'm in it for the cleaner look, and I prefer the FRP. Hopefully one day I can purchase one of these hoods from you.

 

The amount of exposure these hoods have in the US is somewhat minimal. Hopefully this thread takes away from any 'grey areas' people were confused about.

 

Ok so send me a PM price shipped to 87144. Thanks

 

^^You got it.

 

doesnt a stock hood weigh 11 lbs?

 

I have the Dry Carbon design and it only weighs 8.5lbs!

 

No, the stock Evo hood weighs 20.2lbs.

 

Very nice! If you can, post up some pictures. I'd love to see that bad-boy installed.

 

couple pix if dug up...first one was at the track...2nd one was right after i installed it

 

Awesome stuff! How has it held up so far? How do you like it in terms of the quality?

 

Would this story also apply to C-west quality FRP hoods?

 

Please provide me with a price shipped to 32725, fl!