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Rain guards for Top Secret hood

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10K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  94supra_Jerry  
#1 ·
Dusty,

There was some conversation in a thread awhile back about rain guards for the TS hood. Did you ever find out if you could get them and how much they are?

Also, do you know if there is any way to tell a genuine TS hood from knock offs. I know it's a long shot since they are rare and expensive, but I came across the hood through a friend and have been told from a few people they think it is real.

Thanks,

Bryan
 
S
#4 · (Edited)
The Carbon fiber versions are easy to tell. The knock offs typically have mesh in the vents and a thicker gel coat than the authentic.

http://www.sp-power.com/images/uploads/dc1bcbd40a969e3e2f46ae702e915862TSSUPRA05.jpg

The way the weave looks on the underside is also a good indication.

On mine, there is no provisions for a rain guard, so I'll let MVP answer that one.

If your talking about driving your car in a down pour you might have the rain guard just spilling the water onto the radiator and fan shrowd. This was the case with the Seibon TRD style hood I had. I believe it contributed to my stock radiator end caps cracking.
 
#9 ·
The pics are really no help at all. I believe they are actually screen captures from a 1980s slasher film from their quality.

From his description all he said was the weave will look different (big help) and the underside will be way more finished/clean looking than a knockoff. They also stated that alot of knockoffs do not have a stock hood latch on them although I do not believe that is true anymore. The one they took pics of has no holes threaded for the hood latch. It is just the U shaped latch molded into the underside of the hood.
 
#11 ·
You most likely have the Seibon hood. The VIS Racing knock offs come with a fiberglass undertray, they weigh as much as the hood, and the combination makes the hood a real tank. They also hold water until you open the hood and spill it down the back of the motor. I got rid of mine months ago.
 
R
#13 ·
The copies are always heavier. If I am not mistaken its like 9/10 lbs for genuine and 30% heavier for the fakes. Like 13/14lbs. Now the only problem with that theory is people sometimes reclear both kinds of hoods and additional clear would of course change the weight. Best way to be sure.... order a genuine.
 
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#14 · (Edited)
My MD one is

(+) pretty dang light. I had a no-name brand CF stock hood and it weighed pretty much the same as stock. Yeah for Toyota aluminum! Then the shop installed this MD one and in picking it up, it feels like it's freaking half the weight. Probably due to single layer, and no underlying beefy support structure like the stock hood or the no-name stock-ish CF hood. So if you're a racer this is a real upgrade.
(-) pretty poor fit- although, according to a sponsor who has an authentic Top Secret one it is a poor fit in exactly the same way, so Curtis clearly made a damn good copy. So if you're a show car this one may not be the one for you.

and had no latches on it either, so I now have Top Secret flush hoodpins.

Back on topic- it actually sprinkled here in San Diego this morning and I thought I was going to piss my suede seats. It was over 90 degrees yesterday and all I could think of was "rain guards, rain guards". So for these single-layer carbon hoods with no underlying structure, is there a provision to somehow mount rain guards?
 
#16 ·
sdsport92064 said:
Back on topic- it actually sprinkled here in San Diego this morning and I thought I was going to piss my suede seats. It was over 90 degrees yesterday and all I could think of was "rain guards, rain guards". So for these single-layer carbon hoods with no underlying structure, is there a provision to somehow mount rain guards?
Click to expand...
Since I'm seriously considering getting one of these hoods, I was concerned about having rain guards as well, since my car sits outside all the time.

If this hood does not come with the guards, what's the best possible way to fabricate something to fit?

If this hood is going to be alot of trouble to deal with, I might just consider ditching the idea of having one and keeping stock.
 
R
#15 ·
++1 for Top Secret style flush non rattle hood pins !!!
 
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#18 · (Edited)
I have had these hoods and even with the rain guards they soak your engine.

The guard fills up with water and eventually leaks over the sides. When you open your hood all the water pours out the back and down your firewall. In the winter it fills with solid ice, thats alot of fun. Your best bet is getting a weatherproof car cover and forget the guard. I forgot to mention that the guard weighs as much as the hood. If you do decide to get one anyway I still have mine I will sell cheap.
 
#19 ·
What if the guard was made to slide into the slots instead of created as a container underneath? Don't the hoods have mesh "grills" in them? I was thinking of something rubber that could be bolted/clipped to the mesh guards. Something made of the same material that they make oven mits with. I realize that over time the heat & sun would deteriorate them, and that they would leak a little, but it should be able to slow the flow of water in to the engine bay significantly.
 
#20 ·
Of course anything is possible. Your idea would work I'm sure. I find rain guards to be a pain, but I'm sure they serve their purpose.

On my Supra they serve to collect water from when I'm washing my car, then dump it all strategically on my polished Veilside manifold, polished PHR breather kit, polished fuel rail cover, polished turbo housing, and polished water neck / pipe. :)
 
#21 ·
i been wanting one of these hoods also and i thought of making rain gaurds that would have a hole with a spout with a rubber hose attached then all come together to one hose and have it drain to the side or towards the bottom of the car. then the only problem would be when you open the hood you would have a rubber hose hanging down but i would only use it when the car is stored outside. of couse this may sound better in theory then it would really work. Idk sounds kinda stupid but its an idea.
 
#22 ·
I don't think it's stupid. My husband was thinking the same thing. I was trying to come up with something that was cost efficient and less technical, but both of our ideas could work. I already found the compound material online that could be molded into any shape. It's been used to cast metal, yet still remains structurally sound. It looks like it's soft enough to be manipulated into the holes, yet resistant enough for engine heat. Of course, I would need the hood in order to have the mold made.
 
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