[Sam Strano]

I'd like to get some weight of the nose of my car, so I'm actively looking for an OEM Camaro SS hood ('98 and up only, and MUST BE THE FACTORY HOOD, not aftermarket). I'm willing to drive a bit to get it. Would prefer it not be all cracked up. White would be GREAT, but beggars can't be choosers. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Please let me know if you have such a thing, or know of one in the Northeast/Mid-atlantic/Mid-west area. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[00 SS]

That is hard to believe. I'm not saying you are wrong, just doesn't "seem" right. When we had both the 2001 TA and my 2000 SS, the TA steel hood "felt" much heavier when opening them. I would have thought the Z28 hood would be similar in weight (if not heavier) than the TA hood. Plus the SS hood uses a different prop strut part number. I thought they were reduced pressure due to lower weight.

Are you sure you weighed the right?

[Blainefab]

That is hard to believe. I'm not saying you are wrong, just doesn't "seem" right. When we had both the 2001 TA and my 2000 SS, the TA steel hood "felt" much heavier when opening them. I would have thought the Z28 hood would be similar in weight (if not heavier) than the TA hood. Plus the SS hood uses a different prop strut part number. I thought they were reduced pressure due to lower weight.

Are you sure you weighed the right?

Yes, weighed them twice cause I knew folks would be dissapointed. A couple of thoughts:

-I picked up the hood from a guy parting out a wreck. I didn't look over the car well enough to determine if it was a genuine SS - can someone confirm that the serial number was hand engraved, and matches the format of this one?: CHD11166

-There may be more variation in the weight of the fiberglass because of the inherently less precise mfr process: a little more or less resin will affect the weight moreso than a steel stamping, so YMMV. The fg hoods may have been sourced from different lines over the years, too.

-The earlier LT1 hoods were a bit lighter - If I recall correctly, I got 42# for a steel LT1 Formula, and 35# for a fg LT1 WS6 hood. I no longer have them here to check.

-Gm may have RAISED the pressure on the SS struts, to make the hood feel lighter

[Blainefab]

-There may be more variation in the weight of the fiberglass because of the inherently less precise mfr process: a little more or less resin will affect the weight moreso than a steel stamping, so YMMV. The fg hoods may have been sourced from different lines over the years, too.

Update - Another OEM LS1 SS hood passed thru the shop, and it is much lighter: 37# It looks the same topside, but on the bottom it is clearly from a different mold set. No serial number, no markings at all.

This post has been edited by Blainefab: Sep 28 2009, 08:40 PM