I just purchased both a CF Seibon TJ style lip and the VIS "top secret replica" hood. The lip I found online through some company off ebay, lip was perfect fitment and great condition. Wasn't bad, like 380 for the lip.

The VIS/Seibon arguement is a little different. If you want the seibon hood, you will have to go through MVP for it. MVP has an agreement with seibon that they are the "sole provider" for this hood. I called Seibon, MVP, and about 4 other companies looking for this hood and thats the exact same statement that was reiterated to me over and over.

I got the VIS hood in a couple days with and it looks very nice...now, i was upset that it didn't use original mounting hardware, I had to use the bolts that was used to mount the hood to the wood bracing for shipping. The hood fits decently, it doesn't sit 100% flush like stock, the hood looks a little less than a 1/4 inch smaller on all sides. I've seen others just run weather trim all around to help fill the gap. I would have liked it to have more of an OEM fitment, but ya gotta take the good with the bad. I'm satisfied overall with it, just was a bit of a pain in the ass to mount.

Here's a pic I took with my blackberry to give you an idea. Just around the headlights seems to be the area where it doesn't fit totally flush.

 

^^ I like that lip... do you have a side picture of it as well ? =D thx !

 

this is the side look of my SEIBON TJ, hope this will help

 

For some reason I can't link the pics over to this thread, so just check out this thread below. The pics were for the Girls of SupraForums calendar before I put my hood on 2 days ago.

http://www.supraforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479287&page=92

 

Ive thought fitment and quality were similiar?

 

I can't say as I haven't owned both...I can just speak for the products I know. maybe someone else who's had both can chime in...?

 

I have had VIS hoos in the past on other cars and a Seibon on the supra now. The bad thing about VIS is the fitment before was horrible, the carbon weave patter very bad, but it seems they got that fix since a few years ago. The biggest thing that made me avoid VIS is that the clear they use turns yellow after a few years but then again you can attribute that to car and maintance, in the end I just feel Seibon makes a superior product. Until the day i meet someone that owns a good fitting VIS hood and it has not turned yellow after a few years I stand by my decision.

 

Jusorderd a vis ts hood does any1 no if it comes with factory latches?
I also ordered a vis rmm cf replica front lip does any1 no how the figment is

Unfortunatly seibon has discontinued these peices

 

any updates to this thread?

 

^^^+1, I want to buy Seibon TS over the VIS here soon...Anyone heard of Carbon Creation and hows their fitment?

 

I owned a VIS hood on my prelude and it started the yellowing process within 3 months. I was on their ass like white on rice and they finally sent me a new hood in 2.5 years later. I will say the fittment was a lil off on the driver side a lil. Things might be better now. (taken in 2007)

 

My VIS hood puchased back in 06' started to yellow after a year or so. It only happened above the turbo and downpipe area due to the heat. I would have to agree with the above post by "brawl"... the hood did seem to be just slightly smaller than stock which left a little bit larger gap around the fenders and headlights.

 

that is one sexy ass hood im going to get it!!

 

Figured i'd update as well. hood took a little bit of adjusting but finally got it to seat better. Not quite OEM but better than what was first shown. unfortunately the clear started getting cloudy within the first few months. i've been all over VIS about this and they keep blowing me off. i've literally left 10 messages with a guy "Sunny" about this. I've gotten so frustrated so i just said screw it. I'm gonna paint the hood anyway with my new paint scheme so I won't let it get to me but definitely something to keep in mind. Hood quality 6/10 because of the clear coat. Customer service is total shit with VIS though so if you have a problem, good luck getting it fixed.

 

couldn't you take it to a paint shop and get a better quality clear coat painted over it?

 

When I bought my car it came with a VIS TRD style hood (don't know when the hood was bought or install). I've never been a fan of their products since day 1. I upgraded to a Seibon TS style hood at the beginning of the year. According to Seibon label the hood was made in Oct. 2010, and it was the last one available since it is on back-order for 6-8 months was what I was told back then. I know it's not a direct comparision but here are some of the noticeable difference.

-Seibon has a tighter fitment, gap (spacing between to adjacent panels) is closer to stock. VIS has a looser fitment, gap is wider than stock.
-Seibon is lighter than the VIS one
-Seibon carbon pattern layout is better.
-Seibon uses a smaller bolt size (like a 10mm I think it was) compared to VIS uses a larger bolt size (stock bolt)
-Can't tell you how long the hood would last on the Seibon because I painted the entire hood. ^_^
-Sebon TS style hood isn't that flush (how level two adjacent panels with each other) with the fender, the hood seems to hunches higher towards the side edge of the hood like around the middle of the fender (above the 12 o'clock position of the wheel).

All in all, its aftermarket so you have to accept some of the good and bad, but I would choose the Seibon over the VIS. Someone mention Carbon Creation, I haven't seen it up close in person so can't comment. If I remember Carbon Creation is a branch off of Extreme Dimension. Anyways hope that helps somewhat ^_^

 

i have a Seibon on my Sti. it has perfect fitment and looks incredible. however, on a car that is rarely driven and has less than 19000 miles on it, i have noticed some small, hairline cracks along the leading edge. its only noticeable up close, but that isnt the point, and i do not ever slam the hood so its not from shock. its a nice piece for sure but i thought this worthy to mention. here is a pic............

 

If you're not spending $2k+ for carbon fiber hood, all have to be sanded down and shot with quality automotive clearcoat to prevent cheap resin from yellowing.

 

I just bought the TS style hood on black friday, fitment was great!

 

What brand and what did it take to have it fit perfectly?

 

VIS= hit or miss. Dont chance it.

Seibon= Always good.

 

No more info on those carbon creations? I'm not familiar with extreme dimensions either. Would not mind spending the little extra on the seibon but I don't want the back order wait.

 

When I bought my supra it had a vis trd replica hood. Fitment is horrible, has cracks all over, and it is extremely cloudy/faded. Not to concerned with it as I'm going to be replacing everything back to stock.

 

different wheels^

I love carbon fiber
I have only bought SEIBON
i use my s2k as a daying . And i wax the carbon fiber once a month to keep it from yellowing.the carbon fiber hood has been re-sprayed and i can tell that it's a lot easier to take care of .
carbon fiber hood 4years old
carbon fiber Top 2years old
Any kind of finishing wax=)

 

If u are not spending $$ yr gonna get yellowing no matter what u do. Theres no waxing or any other such pruduct/process/method that will keep it from yellowing. Reason being is these companies cut corners in there process in order to make a more affordable piece. In turn u get heavy, FRP "Re enforced" (<-bullsh*t) product that yellows due to the cheap Polyester resin they use which is much cheaper then Epoxy resin that should of been used in the first place. Yes the product is more expensive all in all but i use only the best methods/products when it comes to making products for my customers. After all carbon fiber has a specific purpose, to be strong and lightweight, and cutting corners defeats the whole purpose of what this innovative material was made for in the first place.