There is a carbon fiber V12S hood for $1800 from Shenzhen Hudes - is this for real - anyone have experience with this product or company?

 

Just sounds like a Chinese vendor/MFG. Are you looking in Aliexpress?

 

Was in Alibaba - Aliexpress seems similar to that - are these for real?

 

I've talked with a couple of vendors on Alibaba about CF hoods. It's not exactly a bait and switch, but that's not the actual price. JKS Racing quoted me $2700 for the hood plus $650 in shipping when the hood itself is advertised as $1500. When I called them out on it, they play dumb but won't budge on their price. They say it's so they can remain competitive on Alibaba. From what I've seen on other forums, it looks like decent quality, and photos from their shop seem to show a legit layup facility, but I wouldn't say there's no risk. If you get a bad part, there's not much you can do other than email them about it.

 

aliexpress is US version of Alibaba, so yea it's not a scam but the fit and finish that you'll get...that's another story.

 

If the seller's rating is good, you'll certainly get something in the mail or a refund. For 2700, it does sound like full CF IMO, but fit and finish could be difficult to tell (I guess finish is pretty straightforward actually, look at the reflection of light). If you ask them to show a picture of it on a scale, you can guess the material used (fiberglass and aluminum are heavier than CF). Maybe fit could also be judged with some measuring tape.

 

I wouldn't do it.

 

I would reach out to ECPS out in Poland. They make CF hoods and V12 style with louvers at a reasonable price.

 

Thanks for the offer - we get our base (customcre8ions.com) out of China. I may take you up on that should I decide to go that route.