JGT

I've been looking into aftermarket hoods recently. I have done quite a bit of performance mods, now I want to help set the car apart visually.

I am not at all into the bulky cowl hoods or big raised scoops, which eliminates most designs out there. For a while, I really liked the Cervini's Concept Hood (P/N 1176):

https://www.cervinis.com/large.aspx?img=1176_820.jpg

It is cleaner looking than a lot of hoods, I have heard nothing but good things about Cervini's quality, and the price is very reasonable ($495). Unfortunately, it is not functional, unless you buy a separate ram air kit, but apparently it doesn't work with aftermarket CAIs, and I would be a little concerned about getting water in the intake. If I don't install this kit for an extra $259, I will just have two big gaping holes in front of the engine.

Then, I discovered the Keystone Restyling / 3D Carbon Heat Extractor Hood (P/N GHF-503).

http://www.keystonerestyling.com/cgi...alogno=GHF-503

I have started to prefer the looks of this one over the Concept hood. The Concept Hood looks a little too "busy" compared to this one (with all the lines on the hood). This one is real clean and smooth. Not to mention, it is different, since everyone seems to have some kind of scoop. And it is functional right out of the box. I don't need "add 15 horsepower" functional, but to be able to say that it at least performs some function helps. The bad news is that it's quite a bit more expensive ($770 at Ninosport), and I have not heard as much about the quality of this company. I hear fiberglass quality is hit or miss, so this worries me a little.

So, I am basically just rambling on because I can't really decide and thought I would get some other people's thoughts.

Anyone have experience with Keystone Restyling products?

I have attached some pictures of these hoods on some member rides. The Keystone Restyling hood looks incredible in every picture I have seen. Once in awhile, I see a pic of the Concept Hood that doesn't look so good, just a bad angle or something.

Any thoughts or personal experiences?

tom281

Well, I for one have always liked the 3d Carbon heat-extractor style hood..... I've liked it since I saw it two years ago. I've considered it again recently, but decided against it only because of the theme of my car. That and the fact that I don't know if it will clear the Saleen blower.

Another neat hood, of similar "swept" design, is the CS6 hood from Shelby; it's pretty cool IMO.

StangMahn

I like the Concept hood, always have. It's style (looks similar to the California Dream hood) is by far my favorite!

red454

This one certainly departs from the bulky cowl or raised scoop style. I contacted Miller Performance and did not get much out of them. I really like this one, but it seems to be limited and "not for sale". Probably a love-it or hate-it thing for most people.

The Reverend

My Cervini's heat extractor hood.

red454

Is it functional?

n8rfastback

go for the keystone hood

it looks way better than the concept hood in my opinion

and i actually really like the concept hood

The Reverend

Functional, Yes!

catman

Another couple of shots of the Concept hood. Sorry I've only had time to snap off a few pics of the car with this hood installed. Mine is nonfunctional (I have an AirAid CAI), and my shop, as per Cervini's suggestion, closed the scoops off with strips of Lexan painted black. So far, no problems and no water.

Gleamin05

I'd go for the Keystone Restyling hood, nice clean suttle look and functional.

MARZ

I had a Keystone Restyling "Good Hood" on my '97 Dodge Dakota. The fit and finish were perfect.

JGT

I think I am leaning towards the Keystone hood. Those pics that catman posted look really nice. I think purely from an appearance perspective, I like the concept hood a little bit more. It just looks a little meaner.

But the more I think about it, having a functional hood is really important to me. I know it would just eat me up inside if I knew I spent all that money for two fake hood scoops. Especially on cars that seem prone to heat soak, a heat extractor hood seems like a realy good choice.

I think the whole function vs non-functional issue may be decision maker here...

By the way, I emailed Keystone a while back and they said the hood weighs about 60 lbs. That is a little tough to swallow since I believe the stock hood is about 30, or even less.

A few websites selling the hood listed the weight as 42 lbs and 50 lbs. Not sure why they are different, but I suppose I should trust Keystone themselves.

I think I'll install an aluminum driveshaft to offset the additional weight anyway.