Modifying A Factory Bonnet

[Wacky Dee]

I've been thinking of getting an aftermarket bonnet but seeing as how CF bonnets are illegal and cost approx. $1000 I was thinking ..isn't it possible to modify the stock factory metal bonnet ?

I mean surely panel beaters, welders (ie people working with metals) can modify something as simple as a bonnet? I have an r34 gtt and would like to mod my bonnet to look like this (mins those silver rings..wtf are those anyway?) http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3361/img5083mv8.jpg

How much do you reckon modding the stock bonnet to look like the one above would cost? Painting is about $400-500 only ..

[Timeb0mb]

im not sure of anyone who can help you but i do know the "silver rings" are bonnet clips... they hold the bonnet down...

[Timeb0mb]

actually, looking at it again, any fiberglasser should be able to rig something out for you, he should be able to just slap the muld on probly cost about 100$-200$ and they you get it resprayed.

(obviously more technical then that )

Edited May 28, 2008 by Timeb0mb

[Wacky Dee]

I was thinking more along the lines of cutting the middle welding on the vent like in the photo above from metal ..so that it all remains metail. But if fibre glass can be made to look good and be resprayed than that's probably not a bad idea either as it's probably a lot cheaper.

[Ant97GTR]

I've been thinking of getting an aftermarket bonnet but seeing as how CF bonnets are illegal and cost approx. $1000 I was thinking ..isn't it possible to modify the stock factory metal bonnet ?

Sure its possible.....but its also illegal so keep that in mind if you worried about legality.

[Angus Smart]

it cost me shit all to get a ztune vent moulted into my standard gtr bonnet

not really the best photo.. but you get the picture..

[PSI Parts]

We have fibreglass bonnets for $499 and Carbon $749 so they might not be as dear as you think. But yes adding fibreglass vents to the OEM bonnet is definitely an option as well.

[Wacky Dee]

well just recently I was at a shop with a few cars that had CF and FG bonnets and they all looked like crap...none was fitting properly - seemed like they bent out of shape for some reason (too much time in the sun or somefin?)

Anyway, I just don't like the idea of a cf or fibreglass bonnet .. plus they're illegal. Why would a slightly modified stock bonnet be illegal ???

Not a big fan of the z-tune either .. seems like everyone's getting one nowadays anyway. I'm after a more subtle one like the one pictured in the opening post. Any panel beaters who could give me a rough estimate?

[nizmonut]

to this

all done in my shed

[NA_Goodness]

If you want that vent in the middle, and make it functional, it will involve cutting straight through the reinforcements on the bonnet, thus making it illegal. Talk to Blitz Body kits and Custom Carbon. I think both of them (Blitz for sure) can supply you with 100% ADR approved fibreglass (possibly carbon fibre) bonnets.

I think the bad fit would be bad workmanship more then having it sit in the sun 2 long

[nizmonut]

the subframe is still intact. the centre hole you see in that bonnet is behind the two main beams that run from the rear corners to the bonnet hinge. the section that runs directly back is still there just painted mat black and is hardly noticable through the mesh unless you actually look directly at it.

as for the one of the air filter it is the skin only cut and not a issue at all.

never assume anything. it makes every one else look good.

[PSI Parts]

Interesting concept, full credit for thinking outside the box.

I thought Custom Carbon went under?

[Spunky Munky]

CF bonnet for the win - I am saving up for one....

[Ant97GTR]

Anyway, I just don't like the idea of a cf or fibreglass bonnet .. plus they're illegal. Why would a slightly modified stock bonnet be illegal ???

Seems a fair few people are misinformed about the ADR's relating to this stuff.

Ok they can be illegal in a couple of ways...the first is as per others have mentioned above...any cutting or modification of the support frame underneath is illegal. What no-one has mentioned is the fact that ANY hole/vent in the bonnet that faces the windscreen (meshed or not) is illegal.

If you have a look at the earlier evos and wrx's that had holes in the bonnet (not the intercooler vents that face forward) they are actually blocked off.

[Wacky Dee]

Yeah I am not actually fussed about making it a functional vent .. my car's never gonna make that much power for me to need a vent there I'm just after the look as in http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3361/img5083mv8.jpg

The gtt's just look bloody weak from the front compared to a GTR and I reckon a nice bonnet, as long as it's legal would change that quite a bit. I just don't wanna waste money on a complete aftermarket bonnet if the stock one can be midly modified to look like that one above. Do you reckon a panel beater could cut the stock bonnet and make it look exactly like http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3361/img5083mv8.jpg without screwing with the reinforcements ??

If it can't be made exactly like the one above without cutting the reinforcements, I'd be up for a bonnet 'bulge' of some sort too ..similar in style and simplicity as that car above ( like on V8s etc

Edited May 28, 2008 by Delta Force

[nizmonut]

Seems a fair few people are misinformed about the ADR's relating to this stuff.

Ok they can be illegal in a couple of ways...the first is as per others have mentioned above...any cutting or modification of the support frame underneath is illegal. What no-one has mentioned is the fact that ANY hole/vent in the bonnet that faces the windscreen (meshed or not) is illegal.

If you have a look at the earlier evos and wrx's that had holes in the bonnet (not the intercooler vents that face forward) they are actually blocked off.

i dont mean to put holes in your statement(excuse the pun) but if the 1987 walkinshaws are allowed rear facing bonnet vents i highly doubt its illegal.

plus the fact if your engines at that much risk of grenading and throwing up oil the MOT will be more concerned about the oil you dump on the road then the oil that sprays up your windscreen.

[DECIM8]

Yeah it actually is illegal, 1989 inception I think (dont quote it just seems to be in my memory) Its due to chemicals comming out of the bonnet onto the windscreen to block your vision.. IMO bullshit but hey I guess it has some truth.

Anyone ever had a plexiglass bonnet made? that would be kewl

I must add in nsw

Edited May 29, 2008 by DECIM8

[R338OY]

Personally i'd try getting a CF bonnet (that was legal/engineered to be legal) because it's only a little extra money after all the chopping and spraying. It looks great and it's light.

Sure its possible.....but its also illegal so keep that in mind if you worried about legality.

That's the first thing my brain thought.

it cost me shit all to get a ztune vent moulted into my standard gtr bonnet

not really the best photo.. but you get the picture..

Ouch! That's hot!

Anyway, I just don't like the idea of a cf or fibreglass bonnet .. plus they're illegal. Why would a slightly modified stock bonnet be illegal ???

Yeah it's already been answered. Basically cutting up the bonnet diminishes the structural rigidity of the bonnet. In a head-on collision the bonnet would crumble much easier.

[.:: GimpS-R34 ::.]

You say you don't want CF Bonnet as they are illegal.. but so is modifying your existing bonnet and you still wanna do it :S

sounds like you want the cheapest option regardless of illegal..

however there is places that sell ADR approved FG bonnets.. and out of coincidence that bonnet in the pick is ADR approved in FG..

www.dmdtheimage.com DMD sell them.. i'm getting one soon.. they are around the corner from where i work and they look great..

[NRV155]

Yeah I am not actually fussed about making it a functional vent .. my car's never gonna make that much power for me to need a vent there I'm just after the look as in http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3361/img5083mv8.jpg

Having a vent that doesnt vent? Watch out for the 'rice' police. You know who you are.

Edited May 30, 2008 by NRV155